Uncategorized

There was no surprise on Wednesday as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) chose to leave the federal funds rate unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The decision was almost universally expected by market observers as the Federal Reserve weighs data that could be pushing the U.S. toward a recession. The short-term direction of mortgage rates — which are more closely tied to Treasury yields than...

Given the current housing environment in the U.S., the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)’s new leader should prioritize the affordable housing footprint across the country, find ways to cut costs in the origination of mortgages and take additional moves designed to mitigate risk. This is according to the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA), who submitted a letter with its perspectives to new...

Financial services veteran Patrick Halonen has joined reverse mortgage lender and servicer Longbridge Financial as the company’s new head of credit policy, underwriting and quality control. “With over 25 years of expertise in the financial services industry, Halonen’s appointment underscores Longbridge’s continued commitment to enhance its operational frameworks as the company continues to...

Chief operating officer Tammy Richards is taking on a new role at Kind Lending. Richards announced Tuesday on LinkedIn that she’s now the president of retail at Kind Lending, a move that comes a little less than a year after she joined the company. She had an association with Kind Lending before being hired as COO, as the company was a client of LendArch, the mortgage consulting firm she founded in...

After taking the time to digest elements of a proposal from lawmakers in Hawaii, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) has expressed support for a measure to establish a state-run Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program there. In a letter submitted by NRMLA to sponsor lawmakers at the end of February, the association explained that it “strongly supports” the adoption of...

If you fancy a bit of armchair travel, treat yourself to a tour of this collection of lakeside homes on Houzz. From a rustic cabin in Minnesota to an apartment within a former convent in Como, Italy, these properties have one thing in common — spectacular views out over the water and clever...

For many of us, the morning is a busy blur of family breakfasts, random tasks, frantic clock-watching and rapid showering. So how can a morning feel more calm than chaotic, more productive than problematic? One option is to take a leaf out of a truly organized person’s book and work a few of their...

Wondering if it’s time to hire a kitchen designer? These design pros are experts at creating well-thought-out, functional spaces and are always up on the latest in kitchen design trends. If you’re thinking of undertaking a major kitchen remodel, renovating an old house or creating your dream...

Economic uncertainty, potential tariffs, and high construction costs contributed to a decline in U.S. builder sentiment in March 2025, despite optimism that regulatory changes could improve business conditions. According to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), confidence among U.S. home builders in the newly built single-family home market fell to...

Reverse mortgage business in the early part of 2025 has been humming along consistently, though not exactly “booming” as mortgage rates remain elevated and lenders are moving on their own initiatives to expand business and further forge partnerships with the forward mortgage side of the industry. This is according to descriptions by some of the major lenders themselves, as well as a conversation...