Real Estate Broker/Agency News

HW+ Member Spotlight: Neena Vlamis

This week’s HW+ member spotlight features Neena Vlamis, CEO, President and founder of A and N Mortgage, which is headquartered in Chicago. HousingWire: What is your current favorite HW+ article and why? Neena Vlamis: HousingWire, I love the staff! Until I was recently asked to be on a webinar, I did not have my eyes wide

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HW Annual to tackle the biggest changes in appraisal

With recent developments from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to pursue a more digital appraisal process that could both speed up the process and remove any unconscious bias from it, it is important for industry professionals across the space to stay at the top of their game. That is why

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3 misconceptions about using AVMs in home equity lending

With 2022 more than halfway behind us, economic indicators continue to forecast minimal refinance volume while purchase volume faces its own headwinds. Between lack of inventory, record high prices, rising interest rates and significant affordability issues, challenges for the purchase and refi markets are leading to a time of opportunity

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First American launches digital platform for title agents

Title insurance underwriter First American has launched a new digital platform for title agents, according to an announcement on Thursday. The company says that the new platform, known as PRISM, combines automation and marketing tools, allowing First American policy-issuing title agents to offer products and services directly to their customers

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Will new products stop the bleeding for mortgage lenders? 

Homepoint is in a tough spot.  Like its peers, the wholesale lender’s origination volume has plunged over the past year due to a dearth of refinancings and a sluggish purchase market. But there’s another threat that Homepoint executives must worry about – United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the top dog in wholesale,

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Blend releases new home equity software solution

Mortgage tech firm Blend launched a software solution for home equity products amid a mad dash from lenders into the space. Instant Home Equity, an automated end-to-end digital home equity product for lenders, integrates income, identity verification, title, decision and property appraisal to save time and costs, Blend said in

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Movement Mortgage acquires brokerage Superior Rate

South Carolina-based Movement Mortgage has acquired the brokerage Superior Rate Mortgage of New England to expand operations in the region, the company announced Wednesday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is another step to boost its sales amid shrinking loan origination volumes. The company announced new hires in the sales executive team in

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