The mortgage industry does not have a speed problem. It has a confidence problem. For decades, the credit score has served as the central organizing mechanism of mortgage risk. It estimates the probability of repayment using historical behavioral data. It is statistically validated, embedded in capital markets, and operationally indispensable. But the credit score answers […]
Verification is the new credit score Read More »
A decade of MBA Quarterly Performance Reports tells a story the mortgage industry has yet to fully absorb. A 200 basis point gap between TopTier® and Bottom Tier lenders persists. As of the quarter ended September 30, 2025, the top 20% of lenders earned 139 basis points of pre-tax production income. The average lender hovers
The 200-Basis-point gap: Why many lenders are leaving money on the table Read More »
Housing affordability is usually framed through numbers: mortgage rates, housing supply, construction costs and zoning restrictions. Washington debates the numbers, and families feel the squeeze. But there is another housing cost hiding in plain sight—real estate fraud. With Congress working on bipartisan housing solutions and the State of the Union address just around the corner, it’s
The hidden housing cost Washington can’t ignore: real estate fraud Read More »
The next housing transition will not be defined by who builds the most units.It will be defined by who controls the rental workflow. For years, the rental conversation has centered on demand. More renters. Longer tenures. Fewer paths to homeownership. That story is familiar and by now well understood by most real estate professionals. What’s
The rental market has entered its infrastructure era Read More »
With national vacancy rates hovering around 7%, property managers are under pressure to differentiate, retain residents, and operate more efficiently—all at the same time. The first 30 days of a lease are where those pressures converge. When move-in goes well, it builds trust, reduces friction, and sets the foundation for a productive resident relationship. When
Housing affordability – and its impact on Americans’ quality of life – is becoming a market- and generation-defining issue. Higher interest rates, constrained inventory, rising land costs, and slower wage growth have combined to push homeownership further out of reach for many, especially first-time buyers, middle-income households, and those seeking new construction. At the same
Mixed-density housing keeps expanding as affordability reaches a breaking point Read More »
Mortgage lending has a Day 28 problem. Borrowers engage with lenders on Day Zero. Expectations get set. Loan options get discussed. Confidence gets built. Then income finally receives scrutiny on Day 28—deep in underwriting, after time, money, and operational effort have already been spent. The result? Income surprises kill deals. Borrowers wait, frustrated. Lenders scramble
How upfront income accuracy transforms lending Read More »
Featured in this episode: Dr. Lee Davenport MBA Professor & Executive Coach at HousingWire Zebulon Lowe Senior Director of the Content Studio at HousingWire Relevant Links: Open the door to the most powerful room in housing. Join us April 27th-30th at The Gathering by HousingWire. The AI Summit on August 11th The Builder’s Daily Summit on
Dr. Lee Davenport: Fair Housing Equalizer Read More »
Mortgage lenders don’t have the luxury of waiting for AI regulations to settle. While states and Washington spar over who sets the rules, lenders remain fully accountable for how artificial intelligence is used in underwriting, servicing, marketing and fraud detection. The question is no longer if AI will be regulated; it’s whether lenders are ready
Three moves lenders should take now to stay ahead of AI regulation Read More »
A new year often brings renewed confidence that technology will change everything. And 2026 is no exception. Across industries, artificial intelligence is being framed as the next major force reshaping operations, customer expectations, and the way businesses evaluate risk. Real estate is at the center of that conversation, and title and settlement companies are not just on
The digital future still needs title insurance and the expertise of professionals Read More »