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Mortgage spreads are almost back to normal

In a week marked by discussions of the potential firing of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and inflation data, mortgage rates remained relatively calm, thanks to improvements in mortgage spreads. Mortgage spreads have improved significantly since 2023, leaving us just 0.49% from normal levels, based on the data we use. This means we can achieve […]

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Rayse expands platform with new home seller tools

Real estate technology company Rayse has launched a seller-focused module aimed at helping listing agents provide clearer communication and real-time updates to clients throughout the sales process. The new tool is the company’s first major product expansion since its 2024 launch. Originally focused on buyer-side transactions, Rayse is now offering agents a way to document

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Tech Pulse: Realtor.com acquires Zenlist; Zillow unveils new tools

Welcome back to Tech Pulse — HousingWire‘s weekly series rounding up the latest in technology news, including tools, integrations and trends that impact mortgage and real estate. Here’s what happened this week: Realtor.com parent Move acquires Zenlist Realtor.com parent Move Inc. has acquired Zenlist, a real estate tech startup known for its agent-client collaboration tools. The deal boosts Realtor.com’s

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RealPage acquires Livble, expanding rent payment options

Property management software company RealPage has acquired Livble, a flexible rent payment provider, in a move that expands RealPage’s reach into financial tools for renters and property managers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal brings Livble’s installment-based rent payment system into RealPage’s LOFT and Buildium platforms. Livble allows eligible renters to

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Single-family construction is getting worse due to rates

Today’s housing starts report from the Census Bureau shows that Federal Reserve policy remains too restrictive for housing production to grow, which in the long run impacts the fight against inflation. This is why the data on single-family construction is not improving; in fact, it is getting worse. The unfortunate part is that we don’t need

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3 charts that show why renters struggle to become homeowners

Record-high home prices and persistently elevated mortgage rates have made the housing market difficult for homebuyers and the industry alike — and not even this year’s significant growth in supply seems to be helping. It’s been particularly difficult for prospective buyers who are currently renters, as renters are dealing with an affordability crisis of their

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate adds Tennessee affiliate

A west Tennessee firm has joined the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network — marking the brand’s continued expansion in the region. Conner Real Estate LLC, founded in 2011 by Joey Conner, is now operating under the name Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Conner. The firm serves a wide swath of western Tennessee

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Younger homebuyers turn to social media, AI and each other

Faced with high housing costs, economic instability and declining trust in traditional lending institutions, younger generations are redefining how they approach homeownership. A newly released NextGen Homebuyer Report — compiled by National Mortgage Insurance and financial literacy nonprofit FirstHome IQ — highlights how Gen Z and millennials are creatively navigating a changing real estate landscape.

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Which is better for mortgage — FICO or VantageScore?

VantageScore and FICO have escalated their rivalry in the mortgage space following the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) decision to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase loans underwritten with VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative to the Classic FICO score.  Both companies published analyses this week from their data scientists. Naturally, each claims their score more

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Mutual of Omaha expands proprietary reverse mortgage offering

After launching a new proprietary loan product this spring, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders has expanded the offering this week to more states. Mutual of Omaha Mortgage announced on Friday that its SecureEquity+ product, which became available in April to eligible California and Florida residents, is now available in 12 additional states.

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