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The Optimal Blue lawsuit: Data transparency or market manipulation?

Contributors, Data & Visuals, Housing Market Data, HWmember, Legal, Mortgage, Opinion /

Mortgage-pricing data has gone digital. But when does transparency turn into coordination? In early October 2025, mortgage-technology provider Optimal Blue and three major lenders were sued in a proposed class-action alleging price-fixing and market manipulation in U.S. mortgage rates. At the center of the case is a question that goes well beyond one software firm: […]

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Fed interest rate cut odds drop amid inflation concerns

Federal Reserve, HWmember, Inflation, Jerome Powell, Monetary policy, Mortgage Rates, Regulatory /

The odds that the Federal Reserve will cut benchmark interest rates again in December are still high — but not as high as they were before last week’s cut. As of Monday, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, 70% of interest rate traders are anticipating another 25-basis-point pullback after the Fed’s final meeting of

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Mortgage spreads hit lowest level in years, keeping rates near 6%

Federal Reserve, Housing Inventory, Housing Market, Housing Market Tracker, HWmember, Mortgage Rates, Purchase Applications /

The unsung hero of the housing market in 2025 has been the improvement in mortgage spreads, because without the spreads improving as much as they have, mortgage rates would not have gotten near 6% this year. I forecast that mortgage spreads should improve by 0.27%-0.41% this year, from a 2.54% average in 2024, giving mortgage

Mortgage spreads hit lowest level in years, keeping rates near 6% Read More »

Tech Pulse: AI advances, big earnings and policy shifts

Artificial Intelligence, HWmember, ICE Mortgage Technology, Mortgage, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Technology, The Real Brokerage, Xactus, Zillow /

Welcome back to Tech Pulse — HousingWire‘s weekly series rounding up the latest in technology news, including tools, integrations and trends that impact mortgage and real estate. Here’s what happened this week: Zillow’s Follow Up Boss privacy policy changes spark industry debate Zillow‘s updated privacy policy for Follow Up Boss has sparked debate among real estate agents. The policy introduces

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Florida Realtors, Japan-America Real Estate Coalition expand ties

Florida, Florida Realtors, HWmember, Japan, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate /

Florida Realtors has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan-America Real Estate Coalition Office (JARECO) — strengthening cooperation and expanding business opportunities between real estate professionals in Florida and Japan. Under the memorandum, Florida Realtors and JARECO will focus on professional development, market data sharing and global business outreach. Both groups have committed to

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NorthstarMLS restructures board, embraces new governance model

HWmember, Minnesota, MLS, MLS/Associations, NorthstarMLS, Real Estate /

Minnesota’s NorthstarMLS is shaking up its governance structure. In an announcement on Wednesday, the MLS said that its shareholder associations, which include Minneapolis Area Realtors (MAR), the Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors (SPAAR), and the Southeast Minnesota Realtors (SEMR), have made the decision to embrace what they are calling a new, “business-forward governance model.”

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Newrez wholesale leader Tony Kottenbrock talks about growing non-QM

closed-end seconds, HWmember, Mortgage, NewRez, Non-QM, Origination /

Non-QM production at multi-channel mortgage lender Newrez has surged 40% in recent months, with company leaders pointing to enhanced guidelines and growing demand for second mortgages as key drivers of record-breaking wholesale production. Coming off of the company’s Q3 2025 earnings report on Thursday, Tony Kottenbrock, Newrez‘s head of wholesale, sat down with HousingWire to

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Realtor.com releasing 3D “FlyAround” property viewing tool

Agent, First-Time Homebuyers, HWmember, MLS, Real Estate, Real Estate Listings, Realtor.com /

Realtor.com plans to introduce a new 3D property viewing tool called FlyAround. The tool allows users to explore homes and neighborhoods through a low-altitude satellite view. The feature will begin rolling out in the coming weeks. FlyAround uses Google Maps’ 3D technology and is powered by TopHap Inc. It integrates directly into property listing pages

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Zillow’s Follow Up Boss privacy policy changes spark industry debate

Agent, CRM, HWmember, Real Estate, Technology, Tom Ferry, Zillow /

Zillow Group is making changes to Follow Up Boss’s privacy policy and many in the real estate industry are taking issue with the changes.  Earlier this month, Zillow informed users of Follow Up Boss, which it acquired in 2023, that a new privacy policy is set to go into effect on November 15, 2025. The

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Top California team joins Equity Union Real Estate

Agent, California, Equity Union Real Estate, HWmember, Los Angeles, Luxury Real Estate, People Movers, Real Estate, RealTrends Verified GameChangers, RealTrends Verified Rankings /

Equity Union Real Estate announced Thursday that Dennis and Yana Chernov, along with The Chernov Team, have joined the Los Angeles-based brokerage. The Chernov Team — known for its work in luxury real estate — specializes in new construction and residential sales, including traditional homes and condominiums. The group ranked No. 13 nationally by RealTrends

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