In a significant step toward modernizing the mortgage closing process, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on July 11, 2025, that Westcor Land Title Insurance Company, the nation’s largest independent title insurance underwriter, has joined Fannie Mae’s Title Acceptance Pilot as a second vendor alongside Doma Title Insurance. Partnering with X1 Analytics and Mortgage Connect LP, Westcor aims to deliver a title insurance-backed product that balances cost saving

Zillow, the online real estate marketplace giant, has filed a motion in federal court to transfer CoStar’s copyright infringement lawsuit from New York to the Western District of Washington. The motion, submitted earlier this month, asserts that the Seattle-based company believes the case has little connection to New York and was filed there by CoStar in a strategic move to gain legal advantage. The case is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched legal disputes in th

On September 30, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a significant update for the real estate industry: the effective date of the Residential Real Estate Final Rule has been officially extended from December 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026. This 90-day extension gives Title Agents, Settlement Attorneys, and closing professionals more time to prepare for implementation. However, with an average 60-day contract-to-closing window, the industry’s real-worl

In a move that could have wide-reaching implications for the U.S. housing market, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit challenging a $100 million agreement between Zillow and Redfin, alleging that the deal illegally eliminated competition in the rapidly growing multifamily rental advertising space. The lawsuit, filed in October 2025, accuses the two real estate tech giants of colluding to divide the rental advertising market , resulting in higher prices for

In a move poised to upend long-standing industry norms, analytics and credit-scoring leader FICO (NYSE: FICO) has announced a bold new distribution model: the FICO® Mortgage Direct License Program. Under this plan, tri-merge resellers — which aggregate credit data from the three major U.S. credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — may now compute and distribute FICO Scores directly to mortgage lenders and brokers, bypassing the bureaus as middlemen. The result: greater

Key Takeaways There are various types of home loans options, including conventional, jumbo, government-backed, fixed-rate, and...

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. If you are a first-time homebuyer, this experience...

When it comes to buying a home, one of the most important factors to consider is securing the best possible mortgage rate. A lower rate...

The decision to buy a home versus renting is often viewed through the lens of immediate affordability, but it is also crucial for...

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Rocket Mortgage, appraiser Maksym Mykhailyna, Maverick Appraisal Group, and...

New provisions could limit brokers' ability to attract clients Today marks the final hearing on the class-action settlement in...

Existing home sales are projected to remain under significant pressure in 2025, as rising mortgage rates and persistent inflation...

"Rising inflation and a weaker job market" are putting pressure on the financial stability of high-income earners, according to...

FHA announces new HECM limit exceeding $1.2 million, continuing a trend of increases driven by home-price appreciation. The Federal...

Mortgage applications surged last week, with a notable 12% increase in purchase mortgage applications compared to the previous week. This...

In a strategic move to expand its global footprint, Compass has announced the acquisition of Christie’s International Real Estate and...

Securing clients is pivotal for mortgage brokers, influencing both business growth and long-term success. In today’s competitive...

After the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reached a $418 million settlement in April 2024 over commission-related lawsuits, many...

In the latest update from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) , mortgage application data revealed a significant spike in home...

Zillow is predicting a significant shift in the housing market for 2025, with homebuyers likely to have more leverage, despite continued...

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM)  is making waves in the mortgage industry with a bold new move that promises to shake up the government...

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has officially announced the conforming loan limits for 2025, marking important changes for...

eXp Realty, a prominent real estate brokerage, is currently under legal scrutiny following accusations of participating in "reverse...

The interest rate market is gradually recovering after a challenging October. During that month, the average rate for a top-tier 30-year...