2025

Veteran mortgage executive Randell Gillespie has been named president of Kansas City-based mortgage shop LeaderOne. Gillespie joins LeaderOne following a long stint at Thrive Mortgage and Lower, which merged in early 2024. He most recently served as chief production officer at the combined company before his departure in February 2025. “This company was built for these times — with an incredibly...

As one of only a few states considering more stringent regulation of the home equity investment (HEI)/home equity contract product category, lawmakers in the state of Washington have requested an academic study to assess the impacts on state residents who may use an HEI to tap into their home equity. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has commissioned a formal academic study on...

A high-performing Colorado real estate team has joined one of Denver’s largest brokerages. Mile High Lifestyles, led by co-founder Jaden Hanson, has joined Your Castle Real Estate, bringing 25 residential agents to the firm. Since then, the team has doubled in size, according to Hanson. In 2024, RealTrends listed Mile High Lifestyles as the No. 10 large team in Colorado and included it among the...

An illustration of an ax falling on the CFPB headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Image created with ChatGPT 4o) Under a workforce reduction announced on April 18, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may be left with just one employee in the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity, along with an 80% reduction in enforcement staff and a 90% cut in supervision personnel – divisions that...

Homebuyers paid an average of $4,661 in closing costs on purchase mortgages last year, according to a new report from LodeStar Software Solutions. The company released its first-ever purchase mortgage closing cost report. The findings showed that, on average, closing costs represented 1.06% of home sale prices at the national level. The median percentage came in slightly lower at 0.88%. Closing...

With their wood countertops, traditional ovens and welcoming feel, country kitchens have a clear appeal. If you find yourself drawn to this timeless style, you’re not alone, as country cottage interiors have been increasingly popular on Houzz. Here are five of the best...

Image PwC’s Annet Thomas discussed how public REITs manage income, assets, and tax implications when working with joint...

Image Yelena Maleyev says consumers remain cautious, despite job...

Miami-based World Property Ventures (WPV) announced this week its latest proptech initiative now under development: SENTIENT MORTGAGE, an emerging AI-driven mortgage matching engine custom-built to seamlessly connect real estate buyers and investors with the most competitive mortgage rates available across various property types -- in real time. Set to debut in the U.S. market later next year, the...

Landscapes designed to thrive in and support their local ecosystem even when faced with disruptions such as weather events, pests and diseases feel especially relevant today. And for homeowners who want an outdoor space that works with nature rather than against it, “resiliency” has become a...