Welcome back to Tech Pulse — HousingWire‘s weekly series rounding up the latest in technology news, including tools, integrations and trends that impact mortgage and real estate. Here’s what happened this week: Senate Democrats press FHFA on crypto use in mortgages Five Senate Democrats are urging caution as the Federal Housing Finance Agency considers allowing unconverted...

The U.S. housing market is entering a new phase defined less by competitive bidding and more by financial stress and practical necessity, according to a second-quarter Bright MLS agent survey released Friday. The findings reveal a marked departure from previous years’ demand-driven trends, with both home buyers and sellers increasingly motivated — or discouraged — by broader economic uncertainty...

The Senate Banking Committee will hold its first bipartisan housing markup in more than a decade, Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced Thursday evening. The executive session, which will involve the consideration of the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, will also include the unveiling of a sweeping legislative package aimed at boosting the nation’s housing...

Five Senate Democrats are raising concerns about the potential risks of using unconverted cryptocurrency assets in mortgage underwriting, urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to tread carefully.In a letter addressed to FHFA Director Bill Pulte, the senators reacted to his social media post from late June, in which Pulte said the agency is studying the matter. He then directed Fannie Mae...

The Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, Minnesota, has become the first in the country to create a fully vertically integrated “seed-to-wall” program using industrial hemp — addressing a critical shortage of affordable housing on its reservation. Prompted by U.S. Census Bureau data indicating the need for 200 new homes by 2030, the Lower Sioux Housing Authority turned to an innovative and...

A stylish bathtub setup can instantly elevate a bathroom from functional to luxurious. Whether it’s a sculptural freestanding tub framed by drapery, a soaking spot with sweeping views or a sleek, modern silhouette backed by bold tile or wallpaper, the following bathrooms transform the...

High Mortgage Rates Weigh on Homebuyers in Mid-2025 New U.S. home sales ticked up marginally in June 2025, underscoring continued fragility in the housing market as high mortgage rates, affordability constraints, and macroeconomic uncertainty keep many would-be buyers on the sidelines. Sales of newly built single-family homes rose just 0.6% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 627,000 units,...

Century 21 Real Estate has added a new affiliate in the Baltimore area. Advance Realty Bel Air is now operating as Century 21 Advance Realty. Founded in 2005 by Terry Berkeridge, the brokerage was acquired in 2020 by Patrick Campbell, who originally joined the company in 2009. Campbell, a longtime sales professional, now leads the firm as owner and broker — overseeing residential real estate...

Lamacchia Realty has opened its first Rhode Island office following the acquisition of Tirrell Realty, a longstanding brokerage based in Riverside, Rhode Island. The deal marks Lamacchia‘s 11th acquisition in New England over the past two years and expands its footprint in the Providence-area housing market. Tirrell Realty — formerly affiliated with the Weichert franchise system — has served...

MoxiWorks has promoted Dave Greenbaum to chief customer officer, a newly established executive role that will oversee the companyh’s customer experience strategy. Greenbaum, who previously served as vice president of customer engagement, will report to CEO Eric Elfman. His expanded responsibilities include leading client success initiatives, managing customer support operations, and driving...