Title insurer First American back online after cybersecurity incident

There are “some limits to functionality” as First American continues efforts to return to normal business operations following a cybersecurity breach that led the company to isolate some systems from the internet on Dec. 20. Continue reading

Housing’s stranglehold on inflation poised to decline in months ahead

Inflation rose 0.4 percent in September, a near standstill from August, according to the latest Consumer Price Index Thursday. Economists believe “shelter” will soon recede as the largest contributor to runaway prices. Continue reading

Fueled by deals, new-home sales soar to highest level in 17 months

New-home sales rose 4.4 percent in July to an adjusted annual rate of 714,000 as the supply of existing homes continues to drop, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Continue reading

Can VC bring innovation to proptech? ‘We have to’

A panel of venture capital investors at Inman Connect Las Vegas said funding had likely been delivered to new proptechs without enough diligence during the most recent bull cycle in the market. And now is the time to get “more prudent.” Continue reading

‘Just a freakish bit of data’: Sticker shock imperils spring home demand

Economists revealed to Intel how mortgage rates and inflation will bring the spring homebuying market back toward historical norms and become the new sales benchmark for years to come. Continue reading

Offerpad buys more time with $90M raise as end of runway approaches

Private placement with existing investors including CEO Brian Bair extends the company’s cash burn runway by six months to a year, KBW analysts say. Continue reading

First American’s PRISM platform evolving beyond title insurance

After paymints.io deal, First American is evaluating additional third-party integrations to simplify transactions from point of sale to handing over the keys. Continue reading

‘Big four’ title insurers take market share from independents

As lenders pivoted from refinancing to more complex purchase loan transactions, independent title insurers saw second-quarter premiums drop by 18.4 percent. Continue reading

New construction scores a modest win as housing starts jump 12%

Monthly housing starts rose 12.2 percent in August to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1,575,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday. August 2022 levels fell 0.1 percent year over year. Continue reading