Inside the lock-in effect: Cheap mortgages weigh on US consumers

Homeowners with at least a 5 percent mortgage rate are three times more likely to enter the market soon as those with a sub-3.5 percent rate, according to results from Inman-Dig Insights’ latest consumer poll. Continue reading

At NAR midyear, ‘the media’ was cast as the villain — repeatedly

NAR’s legal team, president and chief economist defended the group’s cooperative compensation rule and used journalists as a scapegoat repeatedly during midyear panels earlier this month. Continue reading

How commission changes could lead to transactional transparency

This journey is not without its challenges, broker Bob Mathew writes, but the rewards — enhanced transparency, consumer trust and a more competitive marketplace — are worth the effort. Continue reading

Empower homefront heroes with source of income freedom, fairness

This Memorial Day, Dr. Lee Davenport writes, in addition to words of gratitude and affirmation, it’s even more important that our veterans have access to affordable housing choices that accept their hard-earned benefits.  Continue reading

UWM expands program that dispenses with title insurance

Nation’s largest mortgage lender says brokers “will no longer need to work with a title company or settlement agent for title work, balancing fees, scheduling closing or any related communication.” Continue reading

Keller Williams retreats on profit sharing cuts for defecting agents

The cuts, initially approved last summer, were set to go into effect this July. But as of this spring, Keller Williams was facing multiple class action lawsuits over the changes. Continue reading