August 2025

Mortgage lending increased in the second quarter 2025, with nearly 1.76 million residential loans issued nationwide, according to ATTOM’s quarterly mortgage origination report. It was the first time since 2021 that the second quarter saw an annualized increase. The total number from April through June marked a 19.4% rise from the first quarter and a 6.3% gain from the same period last year. And...

Americans are sharply divided over the nation’s economic outlook, interest rates and the housing market, according to a new survey from Realtor.com. The poll found 42% of respondents expect the economy to worsen in the next 12 months. That view was strongest among baby boomers — with half predicting a downturn — compared with 31% of Gen Z respondents. “Americans are clearly divided...

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) signed off on Rocket Companies’ acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group but imposed a 20% cap on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicing exposure — leaving analysts split on what comes next.  BTIG analysts Eric Hagen and Jake Katsikas estimate Rocket controls $400 billion unpaid principal balance in Fannie and Freddie mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), while Mr....

More than a year ago, New American Funding (NAF) launched a new marketing campaign that’s designed to inject a fresh attitude into how consumers view reverse mortgage products. Unlike NAF’s multimillion-dollar forward mortgage campaign, “Hell Yeah You’re Buying a Home,” which was announced last month, the reverse-centric “Old Wives” campaign isn’t something you’ll find on major TV...

Texans Credit Union launched its first-time homebuyer program on Thursday, introducing three new loan options to spur home purchase activity. The three loan options include: Low down payment mortgages that require as little as 3% down. Flexible-rate loans The “Home Extra 105” package, which finances a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of up to 105% to cover the entire purchase price and provide...

Singer Island doesn’t usually do “private,” but this listing makes an exception. Tucked inside the island’s only gated single-home community, a Mediterranean-style retreat has hit the market for $6.85 million — offering security, direct water access, and space for more than one boat. Built in 2008, the two-story estate spans just over 4,000 square feet and was designed to make the most of its...

A newly built Palm Beach estate has officially joined the ultra-exclusive lineup of homes along Billionaires Row — and it’s not holding back on size, security, or style. The $84.95 million property at 1540 S. Ocean Blvd. offers something you don’t often see on the island: a private tunnel that slips under South Ocean Boulevard, delivering owners directly to their own stretch of sand. Add in a...

After living in their Michigan home for about 20 years, these retirees were ready to tackle their dated, cramped kitchen, which was cut off from the dining room by a partition wall. They loved the warmth of the vaulted, stained wood ceiling but wanted a more open, functional space. They...

Image Tech innovation expert Earnest Sweat looks at questions REIT leaders should ask before launching AI...

U.S. commercial real estate cap rates edged lower in the first half of 2025, suggesting that yields may have peaked after two years of steady expansion, according to CBRE's latest Cap Rate Survey. The all-property cap rate fell by 9 basis points from late 2024 levels, with movement across most asset classes pointing to broad stabilization. Unlike prior surveys, which showed divergence among sectors, this...