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November 2025

The originator’s playbook: Competing and growing in a shifting market

Contributors, HWmember, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Non-QM, Opinion /

As interest rates continue to ease and borrower confidence rebuilds, originators are operating in a market that demands both adaptability and creativity. To better understand how mortgage professionals are approaching today’s environment, I asked four experienced originators to share how they’re guiding clients, leveraging non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) solutions, and refining their playbooks to stay competitive. […]

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Bayview closes acquisition of Guild, taking lender private

Guild Mortgage, Mortgage /

Bayview Asset Management has closed its acquisition of Guild Holdings Company, the parent of Guild Mortgage, in a deal that takes the lender private and removes it from the New York Stock Exchange. The transaction was finalized on November 28, according to a new 8-K filing. Under the agreement, shareholders received $20 per share in

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Making the 7-day refi reality: Modernizing mortgage appraisals

Appraisals, Appraisals and Valuations, Contributors, HWmember, Mortgage, Opinion, Refinancing /

For many borrowers, the appraisal is the most stressful step in a refinance: part mystery, part high-stakes hurdle. Will the home appraise high enough? Will it delay closing? What actually determines the final value? Lenders can help ease these concerns by adopting the right combination of technology, strategy, and partnerships to modernize the process. A

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AI marketing might create mortgage adoption hesitancy

Artificial Intelligence, Mortgage technology /

The goal for artificial intelligence in mortgage isn’t total automation, but misunderstandings surrounding the purpose of the technology can lead some to believe it is, resulting in a certain level of apprehension and mistrust today.  If anything, the technology industry’s efforts to market AI, particularly its ability to automate, might be too successful, unintentionally creating

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CFPB tees up second funding battle with Supreme Court

Litigation, Regulation and compliance, Trump administration /

Key Insight: Acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Russell Vought says he cannot request money for the bureau because the Federal Reserve System has not turned a profit since 2022. Supporting Data: While some think the issue could be taken up eventually by the Supreme Court, new data suggests the Federal Reserve may return to

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Non-prime residential mortgages underpin $298.9 million in RMBS

Atlas SP, Barclays, Non-QM, RMBS /

A pool of first-lien, non-prime mortgages will provide collateral for $298.9 million in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) that Blue River Mortgage is bringing to market. Known as GCAT 2025-NQM7 Trust, the transaction is expected to close on December 3, and has a meaningful concentration of non-qualified mortgages, including 23.6% considered non-QM; 37.7% that are safe

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The new battlefront in lending: Payment intelligence, buyer retention, and the capital rails that will decide 2026 purchase winners 

Contributors, HWmember, Loan Processing, Opinion /

For the past decade, rate marketing has been the dominant gravitational force in mortgage acquisition. Whoever shouted the lowest 30-year fixed rate the loudest won the most attention. But attention has never been the same as intent, and intent has never been the same as a closed loan.  What’s happening now is more fundamental than

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What real estate can learn from LEGO’s reinvention

Contributors, HWmember, Opinion, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, real estate brokerage /

Just in time for the holidays, Troy Palmquist looks at how this legacy manufacturer bounced back from a market downturn and how agents can, too A few weeks ago, on a podcast, I was asked which brands I admire most. Without hesitation, I said LEGO. The toy company has an incredible comeback story, from the

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