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Author name: Ricky Vasquez

Alabama’s housing market reveals a growing affordability divide

Affordability, Alabama, Artificial Intelligence, Housing Market, Housing Market Data, HWmember, Pending Home Sales, Real Estate /

Alabama’s housing market is splitting. Lower-priced homes are selling briskly, while higher-end listings linger, according to the latest HW Data. Affordable homes fuel pending sales Alabama’s entry-level homes are moving quickly. The state recorded 1,843 pending sales in its most affordable tier last week at a median price of $165,000 — well below the national […]

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FICO’s new program draws mixed reviews from mortgage market

Credit Score, FICO, HWmember, LendingLife, Mortgage, Origination /

Fair Isaac Corp.’s (FICO) decision to let resellers calculate and distribute its scores directly to lenders drew a mixed response from the mortgage industry — viewed by some as a step toward more competition, but by others as a potential driver of higher credit score costs in the short term. On Wednesday, FICO unveiled the

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Real estate agent optimism holds steady, but AI adoption slow

Agent, Artificial Intelligence, Brokerage, Continuing Education, Home Sales, HWmember, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Technology /

Kaplan Real Estate Education has released its first Real Estate Survey of Trends — highlighting both optimism about client growth and concerns over technology adoption in the industry. Nearly half of survey respondents (48%) expect to grow their client base in the next six to 12 months, with another significant portion projecting flat client volume.

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West Capital Lending partners with Mortgage Connections

HWmember, Michigan, Mortgage, Partnerships /

West Capital Lending said on Thursday that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Mortgage Connections, a Michigan-based mortgage brokerage. Mortgage Connections, founded by Ali Younes & Joe Dakroub Esq., has closed more than 843 transactions and $239 million in funded loan volume over the last 14 months, according to data from MMI. The

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Compass’ acquisition strategy faces new tests after Anywhere deal

Brokerage, Real Estate /

When Compass began acquiring brokerages across the country a decade ago, the goal was clear; rapid expansion in key markets. It was the second phase of Compass’s plan to expand after offering agent sign-on bonuses and incentives that brought them quick growth. The company — now the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United

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From rates to reality: why innovative homeownership alternatives matter now

Affordability, Contributors, Down Payment Assistance, Home Prices, Housing Market, HWmember, Mortgage Rates, Opinion, Real Estate /

For generations, the American Dream was synonymous with homeownership — a white picket fence, a backyard and the pride of owning a place to call your own. But today, that dream is undergoing a quiet transformation. With the national median home price now exceeding $426,000, according to NAR, the goal for many Americans has shifted

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HomeSmart names Stacey Onnen president

Arizona, Brokerage, HomeSmart International, HWmember, People Movers, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents /

HomeSmart has announced its appointment of Stacey Onnen as president. Onnen has more than 20 years of experience in real estate — most recently working in the legal technology sector and previously leading a national initiative at Keller Williams. She also served as president of operations at eXp Realty from April 2019 to February 2022

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Government shutdown halts new reverse mortgage endorsements

FHA, Government Lending, Government Shutdown, HECM, Housing Market, HWmember, Reverse, Reverse Mortgage Daily /

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) said Wednesday it will continue processing claims during the government shutdown but cannot endorse new Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) until funding is restored. That information was confirmed by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA). Because most reverse mortgages fall under the FHA’s HECM program, FHA loan endorsements stop

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The Steven Cohen Team returns to Corcoran Group

Anywhere, Compass, Corcoran, Corcoran Group Real Estate, Douglas Elliman, HWmember, People Movers, Real Estate /

After five years at Douglas Elliman, Steven Cohen and his team are returning to Corcoran Group, according to an announcement on Wednesday.  The team will be affiliated with Corcoran’s East Side New York City office and it consists of nine real estate professionals: Scarlett Nawrocki, Stefanie Ruch, Heather Sherman, Andrew Hurwitz, Eleanor Gottesman Zuckerman, Meredith

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