Wall Street investors and analysts forecast that mortgage credit-score costs will rise in 2025 as lower interest rates may drive an increase in home loan applications.  Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), the company that retains the rights to the market’s widely adopted consumer credit-risk assessment methodology, is expected to raise the price for mortgage credit scores from $3.50 to at least $5,...

The Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) saw significant growth in support of affordable housing and community development in 2023, according to a report released Thursday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The report detailed FHLBanks’ activity across several programs that include the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), the Community Investment Program (CIP), the Community Investment Cash...

Guild Mortgage announced on Thursday that it has hired Nora Guerra, who worked at Freddie Mac for more than five years, as its senior vice president of community lending solutions.A mortgage industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, Guerra has recently served as senior manager of national affordable lending at Freddie Mac, joining the government-sponsored (GSE) enterprise in 2019. The executive...

Former Open Mortgage executive Brenda Hedeen has been hired by Utah-based Canopy Mortgage as its new chief financial officer. “I was delighted when they reached out as I’ve had my eye on this group for years … they have it all: Techcentric, innovative, cost-effective, amazing culture, truly transparent pricing, engaged leadership and outstanding retail model. I’m excited to be a part of a...

The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky doesn’t think that the game of “musical chairs” that is agent recruiting is good for the real estate industry, but this week his company can tally a win. Dallas-based luxury real estate agents Courtney Michalek and Andrea Childress have joined The Agency to bolster the brokerage’s Dallas office, which was launched by Megan and Damon Williamson in January...

A few months back, we took an in-depth look at how the luxury real estate market in Boca Raton is blooming amid the city’s unprecedented economic boom. Known for its coastal lifestyle, upscale restaurants, and vibrant business community, Boca Raton is attracting high-net-worth individuals and companies alike, with the city’s rapid growth being highlighted by major developments like the $100 million...

Preparing a raised bed garden for winter makes spring gardening much easier. Oxana Medvedeva / Getty Images Preparing a raised bed garden for winter will set you up for success in the spring. If you take the time in fall to perform a few simple maintenance tasks, you'll be ready to go for the next growing season. For example, it's the perfect time to improve worn out soil and repair rotted bed...

The five collections are designed to bring fall-inspired comfort to any space. Loloi It's the season of all things comfy, and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines and textile brand Loloi have a collection of elegant rugs in rich colors and cozy fabrics to refresh your home.Like the duo's previous rug collection, released in March 2024, the fall lineup of Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi rugs uses...

No freeze-drying machine necessary. Skittles | Design: Better Homes & Gardens Skittles is giving you a new, exciting way to taste the rainbow this fall, just in time for Halloween.Freeze-dried Skittles have been a trend in the candy world even before the announcement of the official version—you can find many Etsy shops selling them by the jar. However, it’s not exactly easy to do make them...

Learn how to use this bold and classic fabric in your home. Edmund Barr With the rise of cottage core and the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, gingham and plaid fabrics have once again become a staple pattern in many homes. Curtains, chairs, and tablecloths are just a few of the ways people are incorporating these patterns into their spaces. Checkered plaid is a classic, but there's a similar pattern...