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Volly’s new tech tool aims to improve collaboration between lenders, agents

Williston Financial Group (WFG) announced the release of a new digital tool through subsidiary Volly that aims to enhance collaboration between mortgage loan officers and real estate agents. The new feature, known as Volly Network Connections, is part of the company’s broader marketing suite and offers loan officers real-time notifications about partner real estate listings. […]

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Does Zillow’s policy really restrict Compass’s business?

While the more attention-grabbing parts of Compass’s complaint in its suit against Zillow included late night calls between Robert Reffkin and “co-conspirator” Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, and a tense meeting with Zillow executives, the complaint also detailed the business impacts Compass is feeling as a result of Zillow’s policy.  In the complaint, Compass claims that

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CFPB cuts short monitoring of BofA mortgage practices

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) cut short a five-year agreement with Bank of America over the bank’s alleged submissions of false mortgage data. The agreement was supposed to be in place through at least November 2028. In a filing made public Monday, the CFPB said the bank “fulfilled the obligations” of the agreement signed in November 2023,

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Jerome Powell says the Fed isn’t budging on interest rates

The Federal Reserve has come under renewed fire from the Trump administration in recent weeks as the president and key housing officials battle with Chair Jerome Powell over the direction of interest rates. On Tuesday, while speaking to members of the House Financial Services Committee, Powell was resolute that the central bank will continue its

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Four charts that perfectly illustrate the housing affordability crisis

Look at all the variables at play in the housing market and it’s hard not to feel pessimistic about the affordability crisis. Mortgage payments continue to increase thanks to high mortgage rates, home insurance premiums are on the rise in markets vulnerable to natural disasters and the rent is still too dang high for renters

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Why it’s time to rethink the appraisal default in home equity lending 

With mortgage rates still hovering near multi-decade highs, homeowners are opting to hold onto their ultra-low first mortgages. Instead of refinancing, they’re tapping into their equity through home equity loans and HELOCs to finance renovations, cover tuition, or consolidate high-interest debt.  Lenders are stepping up with a broader menu of second-lien products to meet this

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Anywhere welcomes Barri Rafferty as chief communications officer

Anywhere Real Estate has appointed Barri Rafferty as its new chief communications officer and head of public affairs.  In this role Rafferty will lead Anywhere’s public relations, communications, government relations, and events and productions functions. “I’m honored to take on a new challenge at Anywhere as it pursues its mission to provide a superior, end-to-end

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House passes abusive trigger leads ban

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808) late Monday, bringing a national ban on abusive trigger leads one step closer to reality. The move was widely applauded by mortgage trade groups. The House’s action follows the U.S. Senate’s approval of a similar bill (S. 1467) on June 13.

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The juiciest details in Compass’s lawsuit against Zillow

Given the animosity between Compass and Zillow over the portal giant’s listing standards policy, it came as little surprise when the Robert Reffkin-helmed firm filed a lawsuit against Zillow Monday morning.  While the complaint contains many of the anticipated claims, including that Zillow enacted the policy, which bans listings that are publicly marketed for more

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The mortgage market hopes for rate cuts amid war moves

Global tensions between the United States and Iran have led many in the mortgage industry to wonder whether the bombing of Iran nuclear sites would move bond yields and lead to a drop in mortgage rates. On Monday, just as economists were factoring in the possibility of war with Iran, at least one member of

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