Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, recently experienced significant growth, surpassing 22 million users. The surge is attributed to users migrating from X due to their dissatisfaction with changes under Elon Musk’s ownership. Andrei Dziarkach has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: David Gogokhia details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web source: […]
While there has been something of a “yo-yo” of gains and losses in the reverse mortgage industry’s performance metrics for the past several months, some mixed signals on the horizon — such as higher interest rates that could depress origination volumes along with the potential implementation of HMBS 2.0 — leave 2024 winding down in […]
If housing industry professionals are looking for an early Christmas gift, they might receive it in the next two weeks if key economic indicators move in the right direction. At HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center on Tuesday, the 30-year conforming rate averaged 6.98%. That was down 4 basis points (bps) from a week ago and the […]
While much has been said about the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” to be led by billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, much of the focus has been levied at programs the new entity will aim to cut. But programs under the purview of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development […]
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) this week published a final Mortgagee Letter (ML), 2024-23, that requires lenders to report a cybersecurity breach within 36 hours of being detected. While the FHA posted a draft version of the ML online in September to seek feedback, the agency stated that the draft is being issued as final […]
In one of its final regulatory efforts under the Biden administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a new rule on Tuesday that aims to protect consumer financial data from misuse by limiting its sale by data brokers. The proposal has drawn criticism from industry trade groups concerned about its potential implications. The U.S. […]
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. As the mortgage world continues to see rapid tech advancements, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just keeping […]
The reverse mortgage division of Rate, formerly known as Guaranteed Rate, has been on a mission to bolster its market presence for the past few years. According to Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsement data compiled by Reverse Market Insight (RMI), the company grew its endorsement volume by roughly 870% year to date through July. […]
Despite being the beneficiaries of historic increases in home-price appreciation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, older baby boomers — many of whom are approaching the age of 80 in 2025 — are now finding themselves challenged by a dearth of housing inventory that can best accommodate living in later life. This is according to […]
A series of threats leading up to and following the Thanksgiving holiday targeted several prominent people in the Republican and Democratic parties, including cabinet nominees for president-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration and multiple Democratic lawmakers. Among the Trump cabinet nominees targeted was Scott Turner, Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of […]
Wells Fargo announced on Monday that it has expanded its $10,000 down payment grant program for underserved borrowers to an additional 12 metro areas, more than a year after initially launching it in eight markets. “We are expanding the availability of our Homebuyer Access grant program to additional areas to expand opportunities for low-to-moderate income […]
Notre Dame cathedral reopens this weekend (Dec 7/8) five years after a massive fire devastated the iconic Paris landmark. Political and religious leaders and ordinary visitors are expected to attend the events, which mark a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent year. Lisa Bryant reports from the French capital. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this […]
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 […]
New York — Christmas came early at the box office this year. “Moana 2” brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend, setting records with $221 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. That, combined with “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” made for an unprecedented weekend in cinemas and a confluence […]
BERLIN — The smells of mulled wine, roasted almonds and hot bratwurst are wafting through the air across the German capital again, as the city’s more than 100 Christmas markets are opening their doors this week. But the annual tradition that Germans have cherished since the Middle Ages — and successfully exported to much of the […]
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 […]
NEW YORK — Likely most people have seen iconic footage of the Beatles performing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” But how many have seen Paul McCartney during that same U.S. trip feeding seagulls off his hotel balcony? That moment — as well as George Harrison and John Lennon goofing around by exchanging their jackets — are […]
The rational case for repealing MLS Clear Cooperation rules. Does cc work? Do I benefit from it? Would I like it to stay in place? Yes. Is it best for consumers, (who anti-trust laws are designed to protect?) It depends. Are we comparing it to Compass’ gamesmanship ushering in a worst-case scenario where buyers need […]
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019. Images broadcast live of a site visit by French President Emmanuel Macron showed the inside of the iconic […]
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 […]
Some images from the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this content from this noted web source: VOANews.Com
Since 2004, former New York Times editor and now artist Sheryl Oring has been giving Americans a chance to speak their truth to the world. Dressed in 1950s secretary attire, she invites the public to speak their mind and records it on her vintage typewriter as part of a project called, “I Wish To Say.” […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
The mortgage rate increases of the past two months continued this week even as the pace of increases showed more signs of slowing. But rates have also crossed the 7% threshold once again, which could represent a mental hurdle for home shoppers. According to data at HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center, the average 30-year conforming rate […]
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has set a new baseline conforming loan limit of $806,500 for one-unit properties in 2025, authorizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase mortgages up to this amount. The new limit reflects a 5.2% increase over the current $766,550 cap for 2024, aligning with home price trends. The adjustment […]
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 […]
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 […]
Alfonso Cuarón spoke with VOA at the 2024 Miami Film Festival, where the director won a lifetime achievement award from Miami Dade College for his contributions to cinema. He urged aspiring filmmakers to study the history of cinema and the development of film language. See the full story here. details ⇒ BusinessMediaguide.Com portal received this […]
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 […]
After spending their entire career in the “accumulation” phase of wealth building, retirees who then have to transition into the “decumulation” phase — spending down their assets with no additional employment income — is a source of stress for nearly half of American retirees. This is according to a study conducted by the Alliance for […]
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 […]
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 […]
JOHANNESBURG — South African writer and poet Breyten Breytenbach, a staunch opponent of the former white-minority government’s apartheid policy of racial oppression, has died in Paris, his family announced on Sunday. He was 85. Breytenbach was a celebrated wordsmith, a leading voice in literature in Afrikaans — an offshoot of Dutch that was developed by white […]
New York — With a combined $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically […]
BRISBANE, Australia — Australian Elvis Smylie shot a 4-under 67 to win the 54-hole Australian PGA on Sunday by two shots after a final round shootout with his compatriot and former mentor Cameron Smith. Smylie finished on 14-under 199, two ahead of Smith who had a 2-under final round 69. Smith’s LIV tour teammate Mark Leishman […]
JAYAPURA, Indonesia — On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the next morning in the surrounding mangrove forests. Merauje and the women of her village, Enggros, practice the tradition of Tonotwiyat, which literally means “working in the forest.” […]
TEHRAN, Iran — As Iran faces increasing tensions with the West and turmoil at home, a new exhibition at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is displaying Western artwork including pieces not seen by the public in at least a decade. The unveiling of the exhibition Eye to Eye has drawn numerous women, their hair uncovered, […]
NEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin appears to have been found at […]
In this week’s episode of the Power House podcast, HousingWire President Diego Sanchez sits down with Chad Smith, president and chief operating officer at Better. The duo discuss Smith’s decision to join Better, the company’s new platform and AI loan assistant, and its growth strategies going into 2025. This interview has been edited for length […]
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 […]