Nations Lending launches mortgage alliance with Carpenter Realtors

After announcing new branch openings and executive hires this year, Nations Lending seeks to grow by forming a joint venture with an Indiana brokerage that employs more than 600 agents. Continue reading

HomeLight raises real estate agent referral fee to 33%

The real estate tech firm says it will use the increase on new marketing channels and product changes while a critic says high referral fees lead agents to inflate commissions and skimp on service. Continue reading

Why Lower.com is about much more than mortgage rates

There’s a backstory to Lower that explains why the company believes it can position itself as not just a lender, but “Everything for your home, for Lower.” Continue reading

New, deeper mortgage relationships boost Blend’s Q2 revenue

The San Francisco-based cloud banking software developer reported second quarter revenue of $32.1 million, up 46 percent from a year ago. Continue reading

First American to pay $1.185M over alleged perks for real estate agents

Networking group provided video marketing of listings, bus caravans to promote listings, investigators allege. Continue reading

Zillow beats back one lawsuit, but can’t shake another

Zillow has beaten back an antitrust lawsuit regarding its Zestimates, but continues to fight another lawsuit stemming from its agent-lender co-marketing program. Continue reading

How to become the go-to agent in your neighborhood

The most successful real estate agents dominate specific geographic areas. Here’s how to get started down that road. Continue reading

Back from the dead: Zillow kickbacks lawsuit returns

According to the court filing, the plaintiffs made their case in part through the testimony of two anonymous witnesses who used to work for Zillow as a regional sales manager and a sales and operations trainer, respectively. Continue reading

Government raises fines for RESPA violations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is raising the price of its fines to adjust for inflation, including penalties for violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The new fine amounts became law when they were entered i… Continue reading