HW+ provides career-making insights and analysis for those in Mortgage, Real Estate and FinTech. This long-form digital content provides members with news nowhere else and digs deeper into the “why” behind the daily news cycle. To join the HW+ community, click here.
Rate targets Latino homebuyers with Spanish mobile app
Rate says the launch makes them the first U.S. lender to offer a fully integrated mobile mortgage experience entirely in Spanish.
When tariffs hit home
Last month, a federal appeals court ruled that many of the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal. Gulp. The tariffs in question — sometimes called “reciprocal” tariffs — had raised import tax rates up to 50% on India and Brazil and as high as 145% on certain Chinese goods. As a result, American importers paid over $210 billion in these tariffs (as of late August 2025) that courts have deemed invalid. The appeals court stayed the decision to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court, which it already has. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case or upholds this decision, allow me to invoke the immortal words of Keith Jackson and state eloquently for the record: “Whoa, Nellie!”
Groundfloor Lending expands leadership team
The recent appointments of Patrick Donoghue as vice president and general manager, Kendall Bazan as vice president of revenue, and Andrew Hurd as vice president of risk mark the next chapter for Groundfloor Lending as it matures into a standalone brand under the Groundfloor umbrella.
Warning issued: Aging workforces are threatening income growth
By 2060, the number of working-age people (ages 20 to 64) will have declined in many advanced economies, while the number of retirees will soar.
Purchase applications, VA refinances soar in latest MBA data
With adjustments for the July 4 holiday, MBA reports purchase applications increased to the highest level of activity since February 2023
Plaintiff files suit against 7 companies for violating Fair Credit Reporting Act
A suit naming Xactus, Equifax, Citibank and Wells Fargo as defendants was filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court in late May.
How Flyhomes’ search portal fits in with Real’s AI vision
The Real Brokerage may have bought a the Flyhomes search portal, but the brokerage says it has no intention of entering the portal wars.
Realtor.com adds property tax appeal tool with Ownwell integration
The integration comes amid rising homeownership costs, with property taxes often cited as one of the largest expenses after mortgage payments.
NorthstarMLS says no to delayed marketing exempt listings
The Minnesota-based MLS is adopting NAR’s mandatory Multiple Listing Options policy but will not implement delayed listings.