On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about why we’re seeing strong purchase application data despite rising rates. The two also discuss housing inventory, demographics and why we should be glad we’re not Canada — at least when it comes to home prices. HW Media articles related to this episode: Think US home prices are high? At least we aren't Canada Almost 45% of homeowners are now equity rich Mortgage applications rise despite higher rates...
May 16, 2022•32 min
On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Matt Blake about the layoffs at REX Homes, a brokerage that pays agents salary instead of commission. The two also discuss the recent National Association of Realtors legislative conference and how to increase housing inventory. HW Media articles related to this episode: REX lays off most of its employees, sources say NAR members stymied by clogged construction...
May 13, 2022•32 min
On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Reporter Brooklee Han about the massive volume title companies saw last year and what’s happening as that volume shrinks. The two discuss which companies gained market share and who might be rethinking their title strategy. They also look at the first-quarter earnings for iBuyers Opendoor and Offerpad. HW Media articles related to this episode: Title insurance industry premiums spike $7B year over year Doma lays off 15% of work force as Q...
May 12, 2022•28 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Editorial Director Tracey Velt about how real estate brokers and agents who have been through down cycles before see opportunity in the current market. The two also discuss brokerage leadership, commission splits and what Zillow is up to. HW Media Articles related to this episode: KW Go’s Smokey Garrett on how to prepare for a market shift Picking up the pieces: Zillow has profitable Q1...
May 11, 2022•27 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks to Chris Clow, editor of Reverse Mortgage Daily, about reverse mortgage volume year to date (it’s way up) and how reverse mortgage business is driving profits for some lenders. The two also discuss the interesting crossover partnership between reverse lenders and shared equity company Point. HW Media Articles related to this episode: Reverse mortgage volume remains above 6,000 loans, HMBS still strong in April Reverse mortgage business 'a d...
May 10, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks to Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about interest rates, inflation, jobs and more. The two also the timeline of the next recession, as Mohtashami warns he has raised four of his six recession red flags. HW Media articles related to this episode: Federal Reserve approves interest rate hike of half a percentage point How is housing demand holding up? Logan Mohtashami answers...
May 09, 2022•27 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Bill Conroy about the murky world of crypto securities. The two discuss the venture capital being poured into the space, the near-term potential for disruption, and which companies — traditional or otherwise — are wading into NFTs, crypto-mortgages and crypto-mortgage backed securities. HW Media articles related to this episode: LoanSnap unveils new cloud-based portal MAXEX extends loan-trading reach with DSCR ...
May 06, 2022•25 min
On today’s episode, Chris Clow, editor of Reverse Mortgage Daily, sits down with Reporter Brooklee Han to look at the highs and the lows of the title industry over the pandemic, including a look inside the strategy of the Big Four title companies. They also talk about the upcoming earnings season, tech innovation and whether refi volume has fully dried up. Articles related to this episode: Colorado Springs offers a window into Stewart's title strategy First American off to a slow start in 2022 R...
May 05, 2022•17 min
On today’s episode, RealTrends Editorial Director Tracey Velt is joined by HousingWire Senior Real Estate Reporter Matthew Blake. They talk about what is happening at the National Association of Realtors legislative meeting, including plans to alleviate low inventory by converting unused office and commercial space into housing. They also give an update on Redfin’s recent Fair Housing settlement, upcoming earnings calls and more! HW Media articles related to this episode: Redfin settles Fair Hou...
May 04, 2022•26 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with HW+ Managing Editor Brena Nath about the May issue of the HousingWire Magazine, which featured a cover story on the winners of HousingWire’s Finance Leaders awards. The two discuss winners, spotlighting Chryssa Halley, CFO at Fannie Mae, Victoria DeLuce, EVP at Princeton Mortgage, and Joseph Peterson, CFO at Sagent. The two also discuss the articles and commentaries on appraisals in the May issue and the Kudos article on Total Expert. ...
May 03, 2022•29 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks to Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about mortgage rates and when we might see the next increase. The two also discuss the recession red flags seen over the last week, including a change in the leading economic indicators, and how to interpret new home sales numbers. HW Media articles related to this episode: How healthy is the state of US homeownership? March new home sales: the last positive revision for 2022? A good jobs report, but also an...
May 02, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about the layoffs, buyouts and earnings of some of the big lenders. The two also discuss the first mortgage M&A deal of the year, and what that means as a harbinger of more consolidation in the mortgage space. HW Media Articles related to this episode: Rocket offers voluntary buyouts to 8% of workforce Wells Fargo cuts mortgage jobs amid poor outlook Flagstar Bancorp cuts 20% of its mortgage staff Bet...
Apr 29, 2022•36 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Georgia Kromrei about how property taxes are impacting potential homebuyers. The two discuss how rapidly rising tax assessments are changing homebuyers’ debt-to-income calculations and what that means for lenders and agents. HW Meda articles related to this episode: A property tax reckoning is coming...
Apr 28, 2022•26 min
On today’s sponsored episode, Maleesa Smith, managing editor of content solutions at HousingWire, is joined by Finance of America Mortgage’s Chief Operations Officer Steve Reich and Chief Product Officer Kathryn Amor to talk about how Finance of America Mortgage is expanding its lending products through non-QM offerings.
Apr 27, 2022•18 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Editorial Director Tracey Velt about the competition facing real estate brokerages and the strategies companies are using to win consumers and control more of the real estate transaction. The two also discuss the young brokerage leaders stepping up to the next level. HW Media articles related to this episode: Cairn's Rick Davidson on the silver tsunami and their succession play for brokers Ask a coach: Do I need to pay for real estate ...
Apr 26, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about Fannie Mae’s cut to their origination forecast and what he thinks about their recession call for 2023. The two also discuss mortgage rates, existing home sales and more. HW Media articles related to this episode: Fannie Mae cuts origination projection, forecasts recession in 2023 What 5% mortgage rates mean for the housing market The housing market is still savagely unhealthy...
Apr 25, 2022•28 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about housing inventory and whether 3-D printed homes can help solve the chronic shortage of houses to meet the demand. The two also discuss mortgage rate increases and what lenders are doing to cope. HW Media Articles related to this episode: Can 3-D printed homes help solve the housing crisis? Purchase mortgage rates climb to 5.11%...
Apr 22, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Managing Editor James Kleimann talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Georgia Kromrei about what is happening in the regulatory space, including the White House’s action plans for racial equity in housing and several leadership shakeups at Fannie Mae. HW Media articles related to this episode: White House announces action plans for racial equity, but leaves out GSEs A big leadership shakeup at Fannie Mae...
Apr 21, 2022•23 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Reporter Bill Conroy about what’s happening in the mortgage-backed security market and the short and long-term impacts of the Federal Reserve’s retreat from buying MBS. The two also discuss how rising rates are benefitting the holders of mortgage servicing rights and the wild trading volume that part of the secondary market is witnessing. HW Media articles related to this episode: Fed retreat from MBS market sparks short-term un...
Apr 20, 2022•33 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Chris Clow, the editor of Reverse Mortgage Daily, about the increased volume of reverse mortgages in March and the implications of the Biden administration's 2023 budget on HECM products. The two also discuss the progress the reverse industry is making to reform its image. HW Media articles related to this episode: Reverse mortgage volume in March hits highest monthly total in over 10 years, HMBS issuance remains healthy White House pr...
Apr 19, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about how interest rates over 5% will impact the housing market and the data he’s watching for recession red flags. The two also discuss housing inventory and housing permits versus housing completions. HW Media articles related to this episode: What 5% mortgage rates mean for the housing market Purchase mortgages cross dreaded 5% threshold Here's why the housing market needs higher rates...
Apr 18, 2022•31 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about which mortgage companies are set up to survive and grow in a purchase market versus those companies that might have to fight to survive. The two discuss the top 25 lenders and look at the competitive advantages of correspondent lenders, the big banks and nonbanks. HW Media articles related to this episode: Some lenders won't survive the purchase mortgage market of 2022 Purchase mortgages cross dread...
Apr 15, 2022•25 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Real Estate Reporter Matt Blake about his articles on different brokerage models. The two also discuss homebuilding and alternate building materials and processes, including 3D printing of homes. HW Media articles related to this episode: Cardinals of a different feather: Inside Samson Properties' unique model Fannie Mae announces title insurance shake up...
Apr 14, 2022•26 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Reporter Brooklee Han about Fannie Mae’s announcement on title insurance and how that might affect brokerages who are relying on title income for revenue. The two also discuss hot housing markets and where sellers are starting to pull back on sky-high listings. HW Media articles related to this episode: Fannie Mae announces title insurance shake up Opinion: Title insurance is essential. Here's why Realogy beats out other brokerages wit...
Apr 13, 2022•24 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Tracey Velt, the editorial director at RealTrends, about the latest brokerage rankings and how companies like Realogy are adding title, appraisal, mortgage and insurance to create revenue in a challenging market. The two also discuss what real estate leaders can expect from the 2022 Gathering of Eagles summit, including a keynote by Larry Kendall, author of Ninja Selling, and how to value their business if they are looking to acquire o...
Apr 12, 2022•23 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about the larger economic environment and what that means for mortgage rates, inventory, home prices and more. The two discuss what factors could change the Fed interest rate hikes, how high mortgage rates could go this year and when rising rates will start impacting housing demand. HW Media articles related to this episode: Why housing inventory is so low right now Is the Dallas Fed right to l...
Apr 11, 2022•35 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about how big lenders are dealing with lower volumes and rising rates. The two discuss Rocket’s guarantee to close in 15 days, Movement’s layoff and Angel Oak’s 30-day rate lock. HW Media Articles related to this episode: Rocket promises brokers 15-day loan closings Movement Mortgage lays off 170 employees In volatile market, Angel Oak sets 30-day rate lock period...
Apr 08, 2022•31 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Georgia Kromrei about her feature article on redlining. The two discuss which regulators are most active in bringing redlining charges and why local community groups are now an important part of the process. They also discuss the surprising finding that depository banks lend less to minority applicants than nonbanks, and what that might mean for enforcement going forward. HW Media Articles related to this episo...
Apr 07, 2022•32 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Brena Nath, director of HW+ and events, about the April issue of HousingWire magazine, which is focused on title. The two discuss the cover story on Finance of America CEO Patti Cook, as well as the title-focused articles and commentaries. HW Media articles related to this episode: Finance of America's Patti Cook reflects on 45 years in the industry Is the title industry on verge of the “Great Redeployment”? Spruce and Notarize’s journ...
Apr 06, 2022•30 min
On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Real Estate Reporter Matt Blake about the latest on cover letters and whether real estate agents should use them in this highly competitive market. The two also discuss what Compass is up to and how real estate brokerages are getting creative to be profitable. HW Media articles related to this epiosde: Love letters on the rocks in Oregon Compass agents eschew company stock RealTrends 500: eXp, Compass lead in one-year movers by ...
Apr 05, 2022•28 min
