Author name: Ricky Vasquez

Foreclosures are up 14% in the past year, ATTOM says

Foreclosure activity continued its upward trend in April, with a total of 36,033 properties receiving default notices, scheduled for auction or repossessed, according to the latest data from real estate analytics firm ATTOM. The figure represents a 0.4% increase from March and a 13.9% jump compared to April 2024. “April’s foreclosure activity continued its gradual

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CoStar investors say the company needs ‘meaningful self-help’

There is no doubt that CoStar Group threw everything it had into the 2024 launch of the revamped Homes.com. From Super Bowl ads that were part of the firm’s $1 billion marketing spend, to a reallocation of nearly all of its sales staff, Homes.com debuted with a bang. And then things kind of fizzled.  Now,

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UWM rolls out two AI-powered tools to give brokers edge

United Wholesale Mortgage announced the rollout of two artificial intelligence-powered tools designed to give mortgage brokers an added edge in competing for and retaining borrower business. One of the tools is an AI-powered voice bot named Mia, which acts as a personal assistant for brokers. The other tool, called LEO, helps brokers present more competitive

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Mortgage applications for new homes soar to record high

New-home purchase activity is showing renewed strength this spring, with loan applications hitting their highest mark on record, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage applications for newly constructed single-family homes in April accelerated 5.3% from a year ago, the industry trade group said. On a month-over-month basis, loan volume increased a nonseasonally adjusted 2%

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Servicers: Fannie Mae replatforming some workout functions

Fannie Mae has announced plans to discontinue use of a platform used to handle certain distressed mortgage processes and is directing mortgage professionals using it to take certain steps in response. Servicers must leave the HomeSaver Solutions Network, which is utilized for loan workout reporting functions, and transition to a broader platform Fannie provides to

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Dark Matter confirms layoffs as it right-sizes

Dark Matter executives confirmed the company has undergone a reduction in force, as the company sets its next phase in motion. As a standalone company, Dark Matter has only existed for about 20 months. On Sept. 15, 2023, what had been the Black Knight origination technology business, primarily its Empower loan origination system, was sold

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Title insurers’ rising premiums ends two-year slide

The title insurance industry began its recovery last year from its massive skid at the end of the refinance boom.  Companies generated $16.2 billion in title insurance premiums in 2024, a 7% annual increase, the American Land Title Association reported Thursday. The positive momentum follows year-over-year premiums written declining 31% in 2023 and 16% in

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Inflation news helps to push mortgage rates higher

While the 30-year fixed rate mortgage remained under 7% for the 17th consecutive week according to Freddie Mac’s calculations, it increased 5 basis points as the bond markets remain volatile over the U.S. economy. This and other measurements moved in the same direction with the yield on the 10-year Treasury, which rose 25 basis points

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