Big lenders get a head start, adopt $715,000 conforming loan limit

Moves by Rocket and United Wholesale Mortgage could help borrowers get better rates and make smaller down payments when taking out loans that were previously classified as jumbo. Continue reading

United Wholesale Mortgage is gunning for retail rivals’ customers

United Wholesale Mortgage, the nation’s biggest wholesale mortgage lender, is slashing rates and urging retail loan officers to defect to independent mortgage brokerages. Continue reading

What’s the biggest marketing mistake agents make? Pulse

This week, we want to know: What’s the biggest marketing mistake agents make? Is it failure to launch, failure to follow-up or something else? Continue reading

US home equity has reached new heights. What happens next?

Gains in household real estate equity have far outpaced growth in U.S. mortgage debt, according to new numbers from the Federal Reserve board. Continue reading

Mortgage company Homepoint laying off ‘hundreds’ of workers

The Michigan-based and third-largest wholesale mortgage lender aims to cut costs by more than $100 million a year in response to an “extremely challenging” lending environment. Continue reading

Newrez returns to playbook, brings back 40-year fixed-rate mortgage

The nonbank mortgage lender says 40-year, interest-only loans will help borrowers and investors who have been priced out of today’s housing market. Continue reading

LoanDepot, appraiser sued after ‘whitewashed’ home’s value surges

Dr. Nathan Connolly and Dr. Shani Mott alleged fair housing and civil rights violations after a second home appraisal came back $278,000 higher when they removed any indication of their race. Continue reading

Bank of America’s new ‘solution’ helps minorities own homes

The new zero down, zero closing cost mortgage Community Affordable Loan Solution is part of a $15 billion commitment to help 60,000 individuals and families purchase homes by 2025. Continue reading

Cornerstone Home Lending to become a bank

Approval by bank regulators will allow Cornerstone to “significantly expand” product and service offerings to hundreds of thousands of customers and referral sources nationwide. Continue reading

Realtor.com’s Move takes a stake in lender matching service Own Up

The partnership was announced along with a $25 million funding round led by Brand Foundry Ventures, with participation by Move and existing investors Link Ventures and Listen Ventures. Continue reading