General World News

Some mortgage brokerages have grown quickly. Now they’re under CFPB scrutiny

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Mortgage brokerage firms are now under heightened scrutiny from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The regulator has recently assembled a team to audit these firms as their market presence has grown to rival regional lenders, HousingWire has learned. The CFPB’s focus is on how brokerage firms comply with loan officer compensation rules, particularly in […]

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The ‘silver tsunami’ will hit South Florida even harder

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Communities across the country, particularly those that are popular among retirees, are seeing an influx of older residents as a “silver tsunami” — based on population rather than housing inventory — prepares to wash over them. South Florida — already a popular retirement destination due to its warmer year-round climate — has been struggling with […]

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Reverse mortgage analysts weigh in on HECM limit for 2025

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The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced this week that the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) limit for 2025 will be $1,209,750. But reverse mortgage industry analysts who regularly cover developments in the space are split on whether the increase will make a material difference in the trajectory of the business in the new year. The […]

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Senate leaders sound off on Scott Turner’s HUD nomination

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Late last week, president-elect Donald Trump announced that he had chosen Scott Turner, the former executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Housing industry reactions were primarily congratulatory for Turner. They included vows from organizations such as the Mortgage Bankers Association […]

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Mortgage demand jumps 6.3% as rates level off

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Mortgage applications rose 6.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis during the week ending Nov. 22, driven by a 12% increase in demand for purchase loans, according to data released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). It is the third straight weekly increase for applications — a good sign for mortgage lenders heading into the […]

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UWM drops LLPAs on government loans with FICOs of 600+

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Top U.S. wholesale lender United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) has taken another aggressive move related to its product set, underscoring its strong commitment to government-backed loans.  On Wednesday, the company announced the removal of all loan-level pricing adjustments (LLPAs) on government loans, albeit with some limitations. The program applies to Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department […]

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Empathy in the face of foreclosure

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When I began working on this piece, I was told that the mortgage community as a whole—and loss mitigation professionals in particular—would be resistant to the message. But I don’t think that’s true. Because not only are we an industry that values the bottom line, we serve the spirit behind the American Dream of homeownership. […]

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Haven partners with Ownwell to streamline property tax monitoring and appeals

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Mortgage technology platform Haven is allowing its users to access property tax monitoring and protesting services. The New Jersey-based company has partnered with property tax service provider Ownwell, according to a recent joint announcement. Through this partnership, Haven will offer an escrow monitoring feature through the platform’s affiliate marketplace, or app store, which offers products […]

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FHA’s HECM limit rises above $1.2 million in 2025

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The limit for federally backed reverse mortgages is increasing for the ninth consecutive year. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced on Tuesday via Mortgagee Letter (ML) 2024-22 a maximum claim amount of $1,209,750 in 2025. That’s up $59,925 from the current limit of $1,149,825 for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), which equates to an increase […]

General World News

Transforming the mortgage and real estate process: Insights from Tech100 leaders

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The HousingWire award spotlight series highlights the individuals and organizations that have been recognized through our Editors’ Choice Awards. Nominations for HousingWire’s 2025 Tech100 Award are open now through December 16, 2024. Click here to nominate a tech organization. For the past 14 years, HousingWire’s Tech100 award has been celebrating the most innovative and impactful tech organizations […]

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Seattle Museum of Pop Culture honors Jimi Hendrix

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November 27th marks the birthday of iconic American guitarist and songwriter Jimi Hendrix. In his hometown of Seattle, the Museum of Pop Culture, inspired by his groundbreaking music, celebrated his enduring legacy with family members, former colleagues, and fans. Natasha Mozgovaya has the story. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web […]

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FHFA releases GSEs’ three-year plans to improve housing access in underserved communities

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The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Monday unveiled its three-year plan for the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to improve housing opportunities in underserved areas. Key pillars of the plans include bolstering access in rural communities, looking to manufactured housing as an instrument to bolster supply, and addressing liquidity needs for […]

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Ginnie Mae releases final term sheet for HMBS 2.0

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Ginnie Mae on Monday released a final term sheet for its new, complementary Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)-backed Securities (HMBS) program referred to as “HMBS 2.0.” Ginnie Mae has been developing the final term sheet in consultation with reverse mortgage industry stakeholders and comments submitted to the government-owned company. The final term sheet arrives after […]

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RiskSpan’s Chris Kennedy explores recapture strategies and MSR management tools for 2025

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In this HousingWire executive conversation, Chris Kennedy, Director of Sales and Business Development at RiskSpan, explores the key recapture strategies that lenders can follow to maximize profit in the 2025 real estate market. He stresses the importance of optimizing recapture workflows in the new market with new tools and strategies. Following that, Kennedy introduces RiskSpan’s […]

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Alice Brock, who helped inspire Arlo Guthrie’s classic ‘Alice’s Restaurant,’ dies at 83

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NEW YORK — Alice Brock, whose Massachusetts-based eatery helped inspire Arlo Guthrie’s deadpan Thanksgiving standard, Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, has died at age 83. Her death, just a week before Thanksgiving, was announced Friday by Guthrie on the Facebook page of his own Rising Son Records. Guthrie wrote that she died in Provincetown, Massachusetts, her residence for […]

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Trump names Scott Turner the new HUD secretary

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President-elect Donald Trump announced late Friday that he has chosen Scott Turner, the former executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC), to serve as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in his administration. Scott Turner, the nominee to lead HUD under President-elect Donald Trump. […]

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Could the Trump transition delay some reverse mortgage policy decisions?

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The reverse mortgage industry has been anticipating the development of a new, complementary Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)-backed Securities (HMBS) program designed to further address liquidity issues in the aftermath of the collapse of a major lender and issuer. But following the results of the 2024 presidential election, the implementation of “HMBS 2.0” and other […]

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This doctor says homes must accommodate aging in place

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Treating older patients with chronic health conditions can already be a challenge for medical professionals, but some of these challenges can bite harder if a patient endures preventable trauma, including a fall. That’s why it’s so important to ensure a living space is appropriately fashioned for aging in place. This is according to James Taylor, […]

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Ben Carson is the frontrunner for HUD secretary, report claims

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Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon-turned-politician who ran for president in 2016 before becoming President Donald Trump’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary, is the frontrunner to lead the agency once again, according to a report published by Politico. Citing sources familiar with the transition, the outlet reported on Friday that Carson “is […]

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Mortgage servicing execs expect ‘profound’ changes under Trump 

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Mortgage servicing executives foresee significant changes for the industry under a Donald Trump administration, particularly when it comes to interest rates, reform of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and conforming loan limits. But opinions diverge on what to expect in 2025 and beyond. Mike Patterson, chief operating officer of Freedom Mortgage Corp., which has more than […]

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Former Trump nominee Michael Bright on the confirmation process for Ginnie Mae president

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While president-elect Donald Trump is still making selections for who will fill out his cabinet and other important leadership positions across the government, one outstanding question mark revolves around Ginnie Mae. The government-owned company that oversees the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) program and its sizable portfolio did not have a Senate-confirmed president for the entirety of […]

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New-home purchase mortgage applications jumped 8% in the past year

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As existing-home sales dwindle due to high mortgage rates and the lock-in effect, buyers continue turning to new construction options. And Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) data shows a shifting attitude as mortgage applications for new homes surged in October. MBA’s Builder Application Survey released this week shows that the non-seasonally adjusted application rate for new-home […]

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How the “lavish” comp and perks NAR leaders enjoy compares to other housing trade groups

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NAR’s volunteer leaders receive financial benefits that no other nonprofit in the housing space comes close to matching. ” data-medium-file=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?w=1024″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?w=1024″ alt=”compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers” class=”wp-image-494194″ srcset=”https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg 1200w, https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?resize=150,84 150w, https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.housingwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/compensation-of-NAR-executives-and-elected-leaders-to-the-compensation-of-leaders-and-officers.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”>NAR’s volunteer leaders receive financial benefits that no other nonprofit in the housing space comes close […]