Perfect Practice, an Orlando, Florida-based provider of legal management services technology, announced this week a partnership with Affinity Consulting Group, which offers technology and management solutions for law firms and legal departments. “The partnership will create a streamlined array of services,” according to Perfect Practice.
Read More »Elm Street Technology Acquires Consolidated Knowledge
Elm Street Technology (EST), who offers a portfolio of real estate technology and marketing services companies for agents, teams, and brokerages, recently announced the acquisition of Consolidated Knowledge, a technology platform provider to the residential real estate and multi-family industries. EST aims to offer a single technology solution for lead generation. The acquisition is the next step in EST’s ongoing efforts to consolidate the real estate industry’s leading technology and marketing service providers.
Read More »Older Americans Lodge Reverse Mortgage Complaints with CFPB
Reverse mortgages are one of the most-complained about financial products for older Americans, with a new CFPB report showing servicing issues, communication problems, and difficulty changing loan terms as a common concern for consumers 62 and older. This group also reports issues with financial scams, confusion around deferred-interest credit cards, and being charged for unauthorized add-on products and services. Aging Americans are at a higher risk for financial exploitation, according to CFPB Director Richard Cordray.
Read More »Defects Up Over the Year; North Dakota Sees Most
New data shows defects on loan applications are up across the country—both for the month and over the year. The culprit? Riskier lending practices on both purchase loans and refinances. North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont had the highest defect frequency at the state level, while McAllen, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, took the cake in terms of metro markets.
Read More »Secretary Carson Talks Mind Over Matter in Housing Struggles
In a recent radio interview, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said that with “the right mindset,” many Americans using HUD’s low-income housing subsidies could overcome their struggles. Carson discussed topics of poverty, housing, and the government’s role in both, just days after President Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint was released. The plan cuts $6.2 billion from the HUD budget, ends the Community Development Block Grant program, and slashes funding for the department’s rental assistance program.
Read More »More Boomers Refinancing, Taking Out Student Loans
New data shows that Baby Boomers may be just as saddled with student loan debt as millennials—maybe even more. Between 2005 and 2015, people aged 60 or older saw their student debt increase eight times, while debt for those under 30 increased just twice. Many Boomers are taking out loans and refinancing their homes to either return to school or help their children and grandchildren with college tuition.
Read More »Appraisal Software Now a New Mobile Application
HouseCanary has integrated their appraisal software into a mobile application. HouseCanary Appraiser now allows appraisers to use the software without relying on web browsers. Appraisers can write reports from start-to-finish on site and cut down on time and costs.
Read More »Prices Peak in 8 States, 15 Metros
After the 59th straight month of appreciation, home prices have hit a new peak of $272K. They also reached a new peak in eight states, including Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington. Fifteen metro markets also peaked, with San Jose, California, seeing the biggest jump year-over-year.
Read More »Prioritizing a Personal Touch
Though many of today’s homebuyers are looking for a more automated, high-tech mortgage process, that doesn’t mean they want to be left to their own devices. Most buyers—even the tech-savvy millennials—still want a good amount of handholding throughout the process. Striking a balance between those high-tech and high-touch demands can make lenders stand out in today’s marketplace.
Read More »Taking Down Veteran Homelessness
Around 40,000 American veterans are homeless, and the country is starting to take notice. Lawmakers are crafting bills to spur change from the ground up, while organizations across the nation are hosting events to do their part. The Five Star Institute’s Military Heroes Keys for Life event is one such event.
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