Mortgage rates have been trending downward since Jan. 14, contrary to expectations surrounding the trade war and inflation concerns. This decline has positively impacted purchase application data, which is showing positive year-to-date data as we approach the end of March. As we anticipate what might happen with tariffs on April 2 — what President Trump is calling liberation day — it raises an...

In the newest episode of the Power House podcast, mortgage industry veteran Dave Lykken joins host Diego Sanchez live from HousingWire‘s Housing Economic Summit. They explore the current mortgage industry climate, when Lykken expects interest rate stabilization to occur, and strategies for connecting with consumers. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Sanchez begins by diving...

Interior designer Lauren Bald already had worked on this couple’s midcentury ranch home in the city of South Salt Lake, Utah, so when it came time to renovate their backyard, she had a great handle on their style. “They wanted it to have a Mediterranean resort-like feel, with formality, geometry...

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a new bathroom. Our experts reveal their 10 insider tips for getting a beautiful bathing space while keeping expenses in check. After all, solid gold faucets, a walk-in rain shower and a whirlpool tub are...

When it comes to deciding how to dress a window, there’s more to consider than just how to control light or provide privacy. Do you want the window treatment to be a design focus for the room or an inconspicuous neutral element? What is the architectural style of your home and do you want to...

In the latest twist involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Friday ordered the reinstatement of all employees who were laid off last month by acting director Russell Vought. Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued her ruling in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the National Treasury Employees...

Three federal banking regulators announced their intent to issue a proposal that would rescind the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) final rule issued in October 2023. Friday’s announcement involves the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). The agencies plan to reinstate the CRA framework that existed before October...

California Best Title Co. Inc. has agreed to pay $150,000 to the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to settle allegations that two of its employees violated state law that prohibits conflicts of interest in real estate transactions. The payment from California Best Title is comprised of a $100,000 penalty and $50,000 to cover CDI’s investigative costs. State investigators found that...

Real estate website builders will help you create an attractive, high-converting real estate website without learning to code or wrestling with WordPress. The value proposition for using a website builder is crystal clear: These platforms give you a shortcut to a magnetic online presence – critical for building your brand and attracting, capturing and converting online leads in 2025. To help you find...

Industry stalwart CoreLogic rebranded as Cotality this week, unveiling their new name, logo and brand identity to better reflect where the company is headed. In a sit-down interview with Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler, Cotality CEO Pat Dodd talked about the mission behind the rebrand and the future he sees for the company. Sarah Wheeler: Part of the rebrand to Cotality is emphasizing the importance of...