HousingWire Daily

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Reporter Connie Kim about the growing popularity of non-QM loans and how lenders and tech companies are trying to streamline the traditionally heavy lift of non-QM underwriting. With some experts predicting that non-QM will become 1/3 of the market by the end of the decade, the two also discuss how the GSEs might become involved as part of their duty to serve. 

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• The looming non-QM commoditization question
• Do the GSEs need to start thinking about non-QM borrowers?
• Some mortgage companies expanding despite challenges

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about recent recession talk: are we really in for a hurricane, as JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon put it? The two also discuss inventory, jobs and more.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Solid job growth defies recession talk — for now
• Housing inventory rebounding, annual gain reported after nearly 3 years - RealTrends

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about the good news this week on housing inventory and the rising popularity of renovation loans. The two also discuss mortgage rates.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Housing inventory rebounding, annual gain reported after nearly 3 years
• Mortgage rates steady at 5% as housing supply increases

On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks to Chris Clow, editor of Reverse Mortgage Daily, about the rise in reverse mortgage volume this year and the trend toward private label reverse products. The two also discuss important topics from the first in-person National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) conference since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• NRMLA executive committee welcomes reverse mortgage industry back to events
• Reverse mortgage professionals on looking at life after refis

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with HW+ Director Brena Nath about the June issue of HousingWire Magazine, which features winners of the Rising Stars award, including Morgan Salama, a VP at Realogy, on the cover. The two also talk about other HW award programs and how companies can submit compelling nominations.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• HousingWire Magazine: 2022

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about inventory, inflation and purchase apps. The two also discuss existing home sales and recession red flags.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Purchase apps are at 2009 level: where's the inventory?
• Are new home sales flagging a recession? 

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Reporter Bill Conroy about the data breach at Lakeview Loan Servicing that exposed the personal information of 2.5 million borrowers, and the lawsuits now being filed against the company.

The two also discuss the rise of alternative loan products in this purchase market, including non-QM loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Lakeview Loan Servicing confronts wave of lawsuits after data breach
• The housing industry will soon be up in ARMs
• PLS market is on track to notch record volume this year 

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Senior Mortgage Reporter Georgia Kromrei about the challenges facing FHFA Director Sandra Thompson, and how she might sharpen her focus now that she has been confirmed. The two also discuss manufactured housing and the myriad obstacles in front of the GSEs as they look to serve borrowers taking out chattel loans to buy manufactured homes.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Sandra Thompson confirmed as FHFA director
• GSEs still shun the low end of manufactured housing

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Reporter Brooklee Han about the many questions about RESPA compliance, and how real estate and title companies are figuring out how to stay on the right side of regulations. The two also discuss the rebrand and 10M fundraise of Buyside (now Percy) and the latest new home sales report.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Beach trips and other challenges of interpreting RESPA
• April new home sales drop 16.6%, pushing up supply
• Meet Percy: Buyside announces rebranding

On this episode, Brena Nath, director of HW+ and events, talks with RealTrends Editorial Director Tracey Velt about some of the exciting upcoming events and awards planned by HW Media. The two discuss the winners of RealTrends' 2022 Game Changers Award and what speakers and topics will be featured at the Gathering of Eagles event next month in Colorado Springs.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Gathering of Eagles
• GameChangers brokerages show triple-digit, five-year growth
  
  

HousingWire Daily examines the most compelling articles reported across HW Media. Each afternoon, we provide our listeners with a deeper look into the stories coming across our newsrooms that are helping Move Markets Forward. Hosted by Sarah Wheeler and produced by Elissa Branch.

On this episode, Director of HW+ and Events Brena Nath talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about rates are affecting housing starts, existing home sales, and the myths behind panic selling. The two also discuss some of the topics brought up at a recent in-person talk with Mohtashami, including how the luxury market is being affected by rising rates.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Almost 45% of homeowners are now equity rich
• Mortgage applications rise despite higher rates
• This savagely unhealthy housing market needs higher rates

On today’s episode,  HousingWire Senior Mortgage Reporter Georgia Kromrei is joined by Mortgage Reporter Maria Volkova. They talk about Julia Gordon's confirmation as the new FHA commissioner and what kinds of policies we should expect to see coming out of her office, including adjustments to servicing guidelines and potential reduction in premiums. 

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Julia Gordon confirmed as new FHA commissioner
• FHA Commissioner Julia Gordon gets to work
•  CHLA and 41 IMBs urge the FHA to cut MI premiums
  
  

On today’s episode,  RealTrends Editorial Director Tracey Velt is joined by HousingWire Senior Real Estate Reporter Matthew Blake. They talk about some of the insights gained from Compass' recent first-quarter earnings amid reported losses and leadership shakeups. 

They also talk about the feasibility of prosecuting RESPA violations and give an update on discount brokerage REX's supposed shut down amid their litigation against the National Association of Realtors. 

Articles related to this episode:

• Compass CFO steps down following tough Q1
• Beach trips and other challenges of interpreting RESPA
• REX lays off most of its employees, sources say
• REX closes brokerage, hires David Boies in Zillow lawsuit
  
  

HousingWire Daily examines the most compelling articles reported across HW Media. Each afternoon, we provide our listeners with a deeper look into the stories coming across our newsrooms that are helping Move Markets Forward. Hosted by Sarah Wheeler and produced by Elissa Branch.

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with HW Media CEO Clayton Collins about how mortgage and real estate executives are dealing with this low-volume environment, from Anthony Hsieh at loanDepot to Bill Dallas, most recently at Finance of America. As host of the Housing News podcast, Clayton gets to dive deep into how executives are feeling and what practical steps they’re taking.

HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• Preparing for a mortgage market cycle with Anthony Hsieh
• Blend: We plan to outperform the decline in origination volume
• Lessons from lenders' Q1 earnings amid epic volume drop 

On this episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with reporter Connie Kim about the proposed acquisition of Black Knight by ICE and what Blend’s earnings portends for the rest of the tech space. The two also discuss some of the recent tech launches and what might come next.

 HW Media Articles related to this episode:

• What will happen if ICE and Black Knight join forces?
• Blend: We plan to outperform the decline in origination volume
• Optimal Blue hopes to hook mortgage brokers with real-time rate feature

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

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

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 Q1 revenue declines
• Welcome to the club: iBuyer Opendoor turns a profit in Q1

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

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 driver' of profitability for Liberty parent company
• Alt. equity company secures new funding, seeks more reverse mortgage partners

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

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 program
• Fractional home-equity lender Point raises $115 million

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
• Refinance volume has “dried up,” Old Republic says

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 Housing Act lawsuit

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.

HW Media articles related to this episode:

• Introducing the 2022 Finance Leaders!
• What permanent desktop appraisals mean for the industry

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 another recession red flag

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
• Better.com, the rare lender to post huge losses in 2021
• CrossCountry strikes a deal to acquire LendUS

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

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.

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 leads
• 5 steps to mastering a real estate merger
• Nominations for the RT Emerging Leaders are now open!

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

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%

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

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 uncertainty
• MSR sector is a raging bull in a bear mortgage market

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 predicts strong reverse mortgage performance in 2023 budget, makes new legislative recommendations
• Reverse mortgage progress for borrowers visible during pandemic, says NCLC attorney

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

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 dreaded 5% threshold

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

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 with core services
• As mortgage rates soar, sellers are increasingly chopping prices 

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 or be acquired.

Articles discussed:

• Realogy beats out other brokerages with core services 
• Larry Kendall to speak at Gathering of Eagles June 26-28
• JPAR CEO Mark Johnson to speak at DealMakers, June 26

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 label this a housing bubble?
• Will trillions in stimulus push mortgage rates over 5%?

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

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 episode:

• Inside the government's feeble fight to end redlining

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 journey to digital mortgage adoption

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 closed sides

On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami about the Dallas Fed’s talk of a housing bubble and the reason housing inventory is so low. The two also discuss the jobs report and the inverted yield curve.

HW Media articles related to this epiosde:

• Why housing inventory is so low right now
• Is the Dallas Fed right to label this a housing bubble?
• A good jobs report, but also another recession red flag

On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Managing Editor James Kleimann about mortgage rates and inventory shortages and how that’s affecting homebuyers, real estate agents and mortgage lenders. The two also discuss the big nonbanks looking to expand their non-QM offerings and how they will be able to effectively compete against lenders who have been honing that product for years.

HW Media articles related to this episode:

• Mortgage rates reach highest level since 2018 
• Why housing inventory is so low right now 
• The big nonbanks stir up a non-QM turf war 

On today’s sponsored episode, Malessa Smith, managing editor of content solutions at HousingWire is joined by Kim Nichols, senior managing director at Pennymac TPO to talk about the state of today's market and housing constraints.

On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Mortgage Reporter Maria Volkova about New York’s attempt to limit the foreclosure timeline and how that could affect mortgage lenders, servicers and consumers if it passes. The two also discuss flood insurance and the recent findings by HUD’s watchdog that the FHA insured thousands of mortgages in 2020 without the mandatory flood insurance coverage. 

HW Media articles related to this episode:

• NY bill would change statute of limitations on foreclosures
• FHA backed $4.5B in mortgages without required flood insurance

 On today’s episode, Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler talks with Editorial Director Tracey Velt about the recently released 2022 RealTrends 500 brokerage rankings. Velt talks about the top four brokerages who are dominating the market with 20% market share, and how they got there. The two also talk about Compass’ position as No. 1 in sales volume, upending two stalwarts.

Articles discussed:

• RealTrends 500: Top four brokerages captured historic rise in market share 
• RealTrends 500: The Rise of Compass
• Two drivers in the growth of Compass, eXp, RE/MAX, BHHS and Realogy