Forbes, Feb. 6, 2018–Tamir PolegThe traditional role of a real estate firm has changed, but the rules and conventions that support brokers with outdated practices hamper innovation. In 2018, the firms that will succeed are the ones with sustainable, tech-driven models that serve agents and consumers better.
Category: Top National News
Is the Immigration Debate Impacting Housing?
National Mortgage Professional, Feb. 6, 2018–Phil HallThe political debate on immigration reform has spilled into the housing market, according to a new survey released by Redfin.
Opening Up Big Servicing to Small Players
National Mortgage News, Feb. 6, 2018–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)The largest lenders and servicers have long dominated the mortgage industry, but it’s gradually becoming easier for small and midsize companies to do business with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Wants Answers on Equifax Investigation
HousingWire, Feb. 6, 2018–Caroline BasileU.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told members of the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday he is interested in how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its acting director, Mick Mulvaney, is handling the investigation into the data breach at credit agency Equifax.
FHA Res Business Down, Delinquency Up
Mortgage Daily, Feb. 6, 2018Monthly and annual residential business at the Federal Housing Administration retreated as delinquency deteriorated. But in its commercial real estate business, activity ascended.
Quicken Originations Up in Q4 But Down for 2017
Mortgage Daily, Feb. 6, 2018Quicken Loans Inc., which last week touted itself as America’s biggest retail mortgage lender, reported a quarter-over-quarter increase in originations but a year-over-year decline.
Where Are Multifamily Developers Going Next?
National Real Estate Investor, Feb. 6, 2018–Bendix AndersonMultifamily developers are finding it more challenging to find new project sites in the current market. Some are watching fast-growing secondary markets closely to see how they absorb the new apartments now under construction.
Lawmakers, Advocates Urge Trump Administration to Resume Equifax Probe
Reuters, Feb. 5, 2018–Patrick RuckerConsumer advocates on Monday urged the Trump administration to resume an investigation into how Equifax failed to protect the personal data of millions of consumers after Reuters reported the head of the U.S. consumer watchdog has pulled back on the existing probe.
A Truly Digital Mortgage: Are We There Yet?
Forbes, Feb. 5, 2018–Ross GarciaAs we enter 2018, the world of finance is ripe with new technology and online efficiencies, ultimately saving us time and effort. And then there’s the mortgage industry, which is ripe for disruption.
Banks Shutter 1,700 Branches in Fastest Decline on Record
Wall Street Journal, Feb. 5, 2018–Rachel Louise Ensign, Christina Rexrode, Coulter Jones (subscription)The number of branches in the U.S. shrank by more than 1,700 in the 12 months ended in June 2017, the biggest decline on record, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal data.