Rocket offering renters up to $5K in closing credits
RocketRentRewards lets homebuyers earn closing cost credits equal to 10% of their verified rent payments over the past year — about $2,160 for those paying the average $1,800 in rent
by Matt Carter Feb 19
Better waiving $995 origination fee for repeat mortgage customers
'Better Forever' incentive will not be offered on HELOCs, nor to borrowers who apply for a mortgage through third-party platforms like LendingTree, CreditKarma, Bankrate or Nerdwallet
by Matt Carter Feb 5
16 incentives that may help sellers move their homes this spring
If you have listings that need to move, Carl Medford shares strategies to help get those homes sold as spring arrives
by Carl Medford Sep 25
Properly position homebuyers with this winning 5-part offer strategy
Jimmy Burgess and Andrew Undem share strategies for writing a compelling offer on behalf of buyers, closing more deals and building lifelong client relationships
by Jimmy Burgess Sep 6
DC-area title companies settle agent steering scheme with AG
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb found that 4 title companies gave financial and other perks to real estate agents in return for homebuyer referrals. The companies have agreed to pay $3M
by Lillian Dickerson Aug 29
Debate over title insurance alternatives is heating up again
Republican attorneys general in 14 states urge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator to kill a pilot program that allows some borrowers to refi without obtaining title insurance
by Matt Carter Jul 25
Lesson Learned: Stay off the real estate rollercoaster
Find out what NYC associate broker Bill Kowalczuk has learned during his years in the business and what he'd be doing if he weren't in real estate
by Christy Murdock Jul 8
On the verge of going private, Doma Holdings is still in the red
San Francisco-based title tech provider, set to be acquired by Title Resources Group, posted a $20.6M Q1 2024 net loss Tuesday, down 46% from a year ago but little improved from Q4 2023
by Matt Carter May 8
NAR settlement may disrupt mortgage partner agent programs
If homebuyers are no longer willing to pay full commissions to agents, what happens to lender programs that incentivize consumers to work with partner real estate agents?
by Matt Carter Mar 18
Title technology provider Doma posts $124M 2023 net loss
After a 'transformational year,' CEO Max Simkoff says Doma is well positioned to help lenders take advantage of the Biden administration's push to reduce closing costs for mortgage borrowers
by Matt Carter Mar 13
Biden's relaxed new Freddie, Fannie refi requirements irk title industry
In a pilot program announced last week, the Biden administration cleared the way for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to let some homeowners refinance mortgages without paying for title insurance
by Matt Carter Mar 11
Mortgage giants offering very low income homebuyers a spring break
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering a $2,500 credit this spring that borrowers can put toward their down payment, closing costs, escrow or mortgage insurance premiums
by Matt Carter Feb 7
How agents can identify financial distress warning signs in clients
Over half of Americans admit to browsing Zillow for fun. Luke Babich offers tips on finding serious buyers in the midst of this extra searching
by Luke Babich Feb 1
Intel unpacks the startling price of entry into the US housing market
Economists, homeowners and agents broke down the alarming but true cost of buying property in 2023, telling Intel that rising rates and home prices are only the start for wallet-stretched buyers
by Marian McPherson Oct 4
Avoid these 5 deal-killers to get across the finish line
Got a client? Get them to the finish line. These 5 escrow failures can stop you in your tracks
by Carl Medford Sep 11