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.
Mortgage originations dropped in early 2025 — but activity is still better than a year ago
The 1.4 million mortgage originations in Q1 2025 were up 9.4% from the same period last year — a sign that the housing market is warming up.
CFPB sends LO comp, servicing rules to OMB for review
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sent a list of rules under review to the Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday. Here’s what it all means.
Housing discrimination against LGBTQ+ community is on the rise
The LGBTQ+ Alliance’s annual Real Estate Report found that one-third of respondents reported an increase in discrimination since 2022.
Here’s how wholesale lenders and brokers are navigating near-8% mortgage rates
Mortgage lenders are betting on down-payment assistance programs, buy-down options and renovation loans to win new business.
Home equity products light up a dark housing market
HELOCs, closed-end second mortgages and shared-equity contracts are flooding the zone as first-lien originations dry up.
Federal judge dismisses Dodd-Frank Act violations, other claims against Better
A federal judge in New York has decided to dismiss the majority of accusations made by a former top executive at Better.com against the lender and other executives.
Inside Compass’s colorful past and publicly traded future
Real estate agents and Wall Street analysts love to talk about Compass – good and bad. This is what they’re saying ahead of an IPO. HW+ Premium Content
How wild lumber prices have crippled homebuilders
The spread of COVID-19 in 2020 led to the shutdown of lumber mills across the country. By the end of the 2020, lumber prices had soared 140%. HW+ Premium Content
Will there be a housing supply shortage in 2021?
In this Q&A, First American’s Mark Fleming shares his thoughts on the housing supply shortage and the biggest roadblocks to supply in 2021.
