Home prices jumped 5.7% year-over-year at the end of 2018

Home prices jumped 5.7 percent during the final months of 2018 compared to the same period one year prior, with the mountainous states in the western U.S. seeing the strongest growth. Continue reading

How to get your clients financially fit

You never want a deal lost, or even stalled, because your clients need to figure out their financials. Use this checklist to help your clients make sure they are financially fit well before the offer stage. Continue reading

Groundfloor offers company shares at $15 in new public offering

Groundfloor, an open platform for investing in real estate, is offering shares of its company for $15 in new online public offering. Continue reading

New rule should make it easier for homeowners to get flood insurance

In a nutshell, it sets a minimum bar for private insurance policies; if the policies meet those requirements, lenders who require flood insurance will have to accept them. Continue reading

Mortgage software company Ellie Mae to be acquired for $3.7B

Ellie Mae, founded in 1997, processes 35 percent of all mortgage applications in the U.S., according to Banking Tech. Continue reading

NAR wants to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) wants to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a new entity that would be private, but regulated like a utility, that the organization believes would ensure the mortgage industry keeps running long-term. Continue reading

PHH to pay $750k over military service member foreclosures

PHH Mortgage agreed to pay $750,000 to six service members in response to allegations that the mortgage company unlawfully foreclosed on their homes.  Continue reading

Student debt isn’t the only thing holding buyers back

Student debt isn’t the only thing holding back home sales, which reached a six-year low in December and have been on a steady decline since 2004. Continue reading

Maybe 2019 will be a great year for home buying after all?

Patrick Stone, president and CEO of title insurer Williston Financial Group offered a surprisingly sunny assessment of the near-future real estate market. Continue reading