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October 2025

5 states sue Zillow, Redfin over $100M agreement after FTC suit

Arizona, Connecticut, Federal Trade Commission, HWmember, Legal, New York, Real Estate, Redfin, Regulatory, Virginia, Washington, Zillow /

Zillow and Redfin are facing yet another lawsuit related to their multifamily rental syndication deal. On Wednesday, attorneys general in Virginia, Arizona, New York, Connecticut and Washington filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, that makes claims identical to those alleged by the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its lawsuit filed […]

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UWM reduces fees, enhances TRAC+ title alternative offering

Marketing, MARKETING TO BORROWERS, Originations, Underwriting, UWM /

United Wholesale Mortgage has reduced the fees and added other enhancements for one of its title alternative programs. The company’s title review and closing program, known as TRAC+, looks to save borrowers money by significantly reducing costs for refinances compared with traditional title insurance options. In the past, Mat Ishbia, president and CEO, has been

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What banks need to know about this government shutdown

Economy, Flood insurance, Politics and policy, Trump administration /

  What’s at stake: Mortgages requiring federal flood insurance will be more difficult to close during the shutdown, among other impacts.  Expert quote: For “financial services broadly, banks in particular, there are going to be disruptions.” — Brian Gardner, Stifel Financial Corp. Forward look: Extended shutdowns threaten federal worker pay and U.S. creditworthiness, potentially triggering

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Supreme Court to hear Fed Gov. Cook case in 2026

Federal Reserve, Litigation, Monetary policy, Politics and policy, Trump administration /

Key Insight: The Supreme Court postponed a decision on whether to strike down an injunction that allowed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to remain on the board while her lawsuit against the administration moves forward, allowing her to stay at the Fed at least until oral arguments are held in early 2026. Expert Quote: “The

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Agencies issue shutdown-related guidance for lenders

Government Shutdown, Politics and policy, Treasury bonds /

A government shutdown arrived Wednesday due to an intense partisan divide in budget negotiations, prompting bond investor activity that could lower mortgage rates but otherwise challenge the housing market. Investors flooded further into the perceived safety of treasury bonds, putting downward pressure on rate-indicative yields as several government agencies pulled back “non-essential” services related to

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Mr. Cooper costs Rocket $5B more than first announced

Career moves, LOAN PRODUCTS, M&A, Originations, Rocket Mortgage, Servicing /

Rocket Cos. has closed its acquisition of Mr. Cooper, just six months after the transaction was first announced, with a near $5 billion increase in valuation. The transition has already begun; Mr. Cooper and all servicing functions are being rebranded  under the Rocket umbrella. Right now, the company is being branded as Mr. Cooper powered

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Trump nominates Travis Hill for permanent FDIC chair

FDIC, Politics and policy, Regulation and compliance /

Key insight: Hill has overseen a sharp deregulatory pivot at the FDIC, with priorities centered on rolling back Biden-era rules and limiting the agency’s role in liberal-aligned issues like climate change and diversity. Supporting data: If confirmed, Hill would serve a five-year term, succeeding Martin Gruenberg; the FDIC board is now entirely Republican, giving him

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Mortgage rates rise, stalling nascent recovery in home demand

Mortgage applications, Mortgage Rates, Originations /

US mortgage rates rose for the first time in five weeks, thwarting a budding recovery in housing demand and abruptly halting a recent flurry of home refinancing. The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage climbed 12 basis points to 6.46% in the week ended Sept. 26, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday. Adjustable-rate

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Broker Public Portal’s consumer-facing site becomes Cribio

Broker Public Portal, Brokerage, Cribio, Homebuying, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Technology /

The Broker Public Portal (BPP) is launching a new chapter in its effort to provide an industry-owned alternative to major home search websites — renaming its consumer-facing national homebuying platform under the name Cribio. However, the Broker Public Portal name will not go away. Leaders behind the project say the move reflects both a commitment

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