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Retirement age could change as Social Security examines all options

HWmember, Politics, Retirement, Reverse, Social Security, Social Security Administration /

With the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget predicting that Social Security’s retirement trust funds will run out by 2032, policymakers are being forced to act fast. When asked during Fox Business News‘s “Mornings with Maria” segment on Thursday whether the retirement age would change, Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano said “everything’s being […]

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$67K to sell a home? Consumers drastically underestimate the costs

Affordability, Data & Visuals, Existing home sales, Home Prices, Home Sales, Housing Market, HWmember, National Association of Realtors /

Home sellers expect to spend about $18,500 on expenses, but the actual cost is more than $67,000, according to a new report from Clever Offers, a platform owned by Clever Real Estate. The report found that on average, recent sellers spent: $21,024 on pre- and post-listing repairs and improvements $14,204 on seller’s agent commission $13,691

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Household income climbs in some big cities, outweighed by inflation in others

Affordability, California, Data & Visuals, Florida, Home Price Appreciation, Home Prices, Housing Market, HWmember, Inflation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, SmartAsset, Tampa /

Household income in the U.S. rose slightly in 2024, but the picture looks very different depending on where you live. The national median income reached $83,730 last year, up 1.3% from 2023, according to a new report from online fintech company SmartAsset. That modest increase failed to keep pace with the roughly 3% inflation rate,

Household income climbs in some big cities, outweighed by inflation in others Read More »

ERA Real Estate launches bilingual coaching program, targets growth in Hispanic markets

Anywhere, Brokerage, ERA, Hispanic homeownership, HWmember, NAHREP, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents /

ERA Real Estate is expanding its Coached Up Program with a Spanish-language component, part of a broader strategy to reach Spanish-speaking market segments while growing its national footprint. The program — led by brand president Alex Vidal — delivers training in English first, then offers Spanish sessions to support Hispanic agents and clients. “What we

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Mortgage rates go wild following Fed rate cut and Powell remarks

Federal Reserve, Housing Market, HWmember, Jobs Report, Mortgage Rates, Purchase Applications /

Mortgage rates have had a wild ride since Fed Chair Jerome Powell started talking at the Fed press event Wednesday, rising 15 basis points today. However, I think the bond market responded appropriately after the Fed meeting, and on Thursday morning. Why? Even though the Fed lowered rates, the tone of the press conference was

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NAR Technology Survey finds AI gaining traction with Realtors

Agent, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, CRM, Cryptocurrency, HWmember, Lead Generation, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate, Technology /

While it may seem that the real estate industry is constantly overwhelmed by new technology tools, the most popular tool among Realtors remains eSignature, according to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2025 Technology Survey released Thursday.  NAR’s data showed that 79% of survey respondents use eSignature, closely followed by the 75% who reported using

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Radian acquires specialty insurer Inigo for $1.7 billion

HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, Mortgage, Mortgage insurance, Radian /

U.S. mortgage insurer Radian has acquired Inigo, a Lloyd’s specialty insurer, according to an announcement on Thursday.  Radian has agreed to pay $1.7 billion for Inigo. The transaction will primarily be all-cash, which Radian said will be funded from its available liquidity sources and excess capital from its subsidiaries.  According to the release, this $1.7

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Trump asks Supreme Court to uphold firing of Fed governor Cook

Federal Reserve, HWmember, Lawsuit, Mortgage, Politics, Regulatory, Supreme Court, Trump administration /

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to issue an emergency order that would allow for the removal of Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. The move came after an appeals court refused to back the administration’s attempt to oust Cook earlier this week, upholding federal Judge Jia Cobb’s order last

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Detroit’s new 40% down payment assistance program

Detroit, Down Payment Assistance, Guild Mortgage, Home Equity, HWmember, Michigan, Mortgage, Partnerships /

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced on Thursday that it is partnering with the Tobias Harris Homeownership Initiative, Guild Mortgage and Homium on a pilot shared-appreciation mortgage program aimed at expanding access to homeownership in Detroit. The effort is backed by Detroit Pistons basketball player Tobias Harris. The mortgage product will provide qualified

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FinCEN defends anti-money laundering rule ahead of Dec. 1 deadline

Department of the Treasury, Fidelity National Financial, FinCEN, HWmember, Regulatory, Scott Bessent, Title /

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), its director Andrea Gacki, as well as the Department of the Treasury and its secretary, Scott Bessent, do not believe their anti-money laundering rule, which is slated to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2025, will cause Fidelity National Financial (FNF) irreparable harm. The defendants made these claims in

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