Financial tech giant strikes deal to acquire Black Knight

Intercontinental Exchange has agreed to acquire Black Knight, a mortgage-industry service provider, at a valuation of $13.1 billion, it was announced Wednesday. Continue reading

Is now a good time to buy a home? Agents confront mortgage riddle

Buyers have watched mortgage rates shoot from 3 percent to 5 percent this year alone, and that common refrain — “Is it really the best time to buy?” — is always top of mind for clients, agents told Inman. Continue reading

Venture fund for nation’s biggest MLS will eye agent-friendly startups

With its venture capital firm — the first-ever created by a multiple listing service — CRMLS will focus only on early-stage companies improving the broker and agent experience. Continue reading

HomePace to launch homebuyer solution with backing from Lennar

With $7 million in Series A funding led by LENx, shared equity startup HomePace will launch homebuyer solution that allows buyers to double their down payments. Continue reading

Homie to expand Power Buyer program amid surge in demand

The expanded program and a new buy-before-you-sell offer will be unveiled in Colorado and Utah in the next two weeks, followed by Arizona, Nevada and Idaho, executives told Inman exclusively. Continue reading

Clearing the cash-to-close hurdle in a single bound

Home affordability is an ever more elusive dream for many in today’s market. Down payment assistance programs can be buyers’ bridge to the reality of owning a home by overcoming the cash-to-close hurdle. Continue reading

Mortgage rates surge to 5% as era of the ultra-cheap loan begins to fade

After hovering near 3 percent for nearly two years, mortgage rates have rebounded faster than expected. But amid uncertainty, economists are divided on whether 5 percent rates are here to stay. Continue reading

Home affordability erodes at fastest annual pace since 2004

Despite record-high prices, homes remain much more affordable for buyers than they were in 2006. However, buying power has taken a big hit lately. Continue reading

Biden administration lays out bold plan to combat appraisal bias

The five-point plan seeks to make the appraisal industry more accountable, arm consumers with assistance, prevent algorithmic bias, cultivate a more diverse appraisal industry, and leverage federal data to benefit research and policymaking. Continue reading

Mortgage rates dip as Omicron variant triggers market volatility

Thirty-year mortgage rates fell to 3.05 percent, down 7 basis points from the week prior, according to Freddie Mac’s most recent lender survey released Thursday. Continue reading