Real Estate Broker/Agency News

Rate pressure pushes down mortgage applications

Mortgage applications fell 7.1% from the previous week, following an increase in rates to the highest level since the pandemic onset, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) survey for the week ending Jan. 21. The seasonally adjusted Refinance Index decreased 12.6% in the same period, with applications falling for the fourth straight week.

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Opinion: Don’t shrink the GSEs’ market footprint 

The Community Home Lenders Association (CHLA), which represents small and mid-sized IMBs, just sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), asking for tweaks to FHFA’s recently announced fee hikes on second home and high balance Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans. CHLA asked FHFA for targeted adjustments to the

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Old Republic joins in on the title acquisition fun

Another week, another sign of consolidation in the housing title industry. Old Republic Title announced Monday that its subsidiary, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, acquired the operating assets of Mountain View Title & Escrow, Inc. on Friday. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition adds

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How will appraisal technology evolve in 2022?

With the recent news about desktop appraisals, appraisal technology is top of mind for many. HousingWire recently spoke with Reggora co-founder and CTO Will Denslow about the role of technology in appraisal innovation. HousingWire: The FHFA announced late last year that desktop appraisals will become permanent, and Fannie Mae also

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