Economic growth is expected to slow in 2026 and remain below trend for several years as higher interest rates and lingering inflation pressures weigh on the U.S. economy, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s December Economic and Mortgage Finance forecasts. MBA economists Mike Fratantoni, Joel Kan and Judie Ricks wrote that the forecasts show 2025 […]
MBA 2026 forecast: Slow growth amid inflation, rate hikes Read More »
In a wholesale mortgage market dominated by giants, Arizona-based lender The Loan Store (TLS) has found a way to grow quickly by hiring a team of “samurai” account executives and underwriters from across the industry and picking up loans that others would deny. In the first nine months of 2025, the company doubled its origination
The Loan Store doubles wholesale mortgage volume in 2025 Read More »
Real estate technology company reAlpha Tech Corp. has closed a deal to acquire lender InstaMortgage Inc. for $8.5 million in a cash-and-stock transaction. The move will add direct lending capabilities and expand multi-licensing structure to reAlpha’s existing mortgage brokerage operations, the company announced Tuesday. Founded in 2008, InstaMortgage has originated more than $4 billion in
reAlpha acquires InstaMortgage for $8.5M to expand lending Read More »
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Tuesday issued a final rule setting housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 2026 through 2028, lowering benchmarks from 2025-2027 levels. The Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 requires the FHFA to establish several annual housing goals for single-family and multifamily mortgages
FHFA sets 2026-2028 housing goals for GSEs Read More »
For Realty ONE Group founder and CEO Kuba Jewgieniew, 2025 was a special year, as it marked the 20th anniversary of his founding of the firm. “It is still a family business, supporting other family businesses and entrepreneurs with our agents and team leaders, and we really are one big family,” Jewgieniew said. “Since day
No IPO, no apologies: Kuba Jewgieniew on building a global brand without going corporate Read More »
A credit report shows a score and a list of tradelines. It does not show what to do next. When qualification hinges on small swings in a score, borrowers need coaching that translates data into actions. That is where modern loan officers add the most value: not by interpreting a score in isolation, but by
For both HomeServices of America and Chris Kelly, 2025 was a year of change. The changes began in April, when Kelly, an 18-year veteran of the firm, was appointed CEO, after Gino Blefari, who had led the company since 2019, stepped down and transitioned into the position of chairman emeritus. In the months after Kelly’s
HomeServices CEO Chris Kelly charts new strategy for 2026 Read More »
After serving as Sierra Pacific Mortgage’s chief operating officer for a year, Suzy Lindblom has moved on to Acra Lending, according to her LinkedIn post on Monday morning. Lindblom said that “While it was sad to see Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. close and transition, it ultimately opened a door for a new and exciting opportunity.” Lindblom
Suzy Lindblom joins Acra Lending as managing director Read More »
The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) is urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to revise proposed changes to federal fair lending rules, warning that the agency’s approach could undermine reverse mortgages by restricting the permissible use of age in credit programs. In a comment letter submitted to the CFPB on Dec. 15, the
NRMLA urges CFPB not to restrict age-based programs like reverse mortgages Read More »
Demand for debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans grew in 2025 as tight housing inventory and a rising share of nontraditional wage earners pushed more borrowers toward alternative products. The demand was contagious across the industry. In November, Rocket Pro announced the launch of its first DSCR product for investment properties, marking a turning point as companies
DSCR mortgages are grabbing the spotlight. They’ll gain speed in 2026 Read More »