All News (Page 364)

Finance of America (FOA) on Thursday introduced HomeSafe Second Line of Credit, a second-lien reverse mortgage line of credit now available in California that lets homeowners 55 and older tap home equity over time without refinancing or taking on a new required monthly mortgage payment.

The product, which became available April 1, is designed to operate alongside a borrower’s existing first mortgage. It targets equity-rich senior homeowners who secured low fixed rates during the COVID-19 pandemic and are reluctant to refinance into a higher-rate loan or add a traditional home equity line of credit (HELOC), according to the company announcement.

HomeSafe Second Line of Credit is structured as a nonrevolving, second-lien reverse mortgage. Eligible borrowers must take an initial draw of at least 25% of the available funds at closing, with the remaining line accessible over a 10-year draw period. No new monthly mortgage payment is required, though borrowers must continue paying the existing first mortgage and all property-related charges such as taxes, insurance and fees.

“HomeSafe Second Line of Credit could solve a real market need in California,” FOA President Kristen Sieffert said in a statement. “This product gives borrowers the ability to access their home equity on their terms – when they need it – without adding a new monthly mortgage payment.”

The launch comes as more homeowners turn to second-lien products rather than refinancing. Second-lien equity withdrawals rose 22% year over year in the first quarter of 2025 to the highest level in 17 years, according to ICE Mortgage Technology data cited in FOA’s press release.

For lenders and originators focused on retirees and near-retirees, the move underscores growing demand for nontraditional ways to unlock housing wealth while preserving below-market first-lien rates.

HomeSafe Second Line of Credit offers a maximum loan amount of up to $1 million with a minimum credit score of 640, Finance of America said. The rate is adjustable, tied to the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) plus a margin. Unused portions of the line can grow at 1.5% annually for the first seven years, giving borrowers additional capacity over time.

Unlike a traditional HELOC, the FOA product is nonrevolving: Once funds are repaid, they do not become available again for future draws. By contrast, standard HELOCs typically revolve and require monthly principal and interest payments during and after the draw period.

FOA is positioning the new line of credit as a complement to its existing proprietary HomeSafe Second lump-sum reverse mortgage and as a potential HELOC alternative for older borrowers seeking flexibility without a new installment-payment obligation.

In California, mid-tier home values are about $775,000, among the highest in the country, and nearly three-quarters of residents 65 and older own their homes, according to Zillow data and other sources cited by FOA. Many of these homeowners built substantial equity during the pandemic-era price run-up and are now “equity rich but cash constrained,” especially as inflation and volatility raise the costs of living in retirement.

For financial planners, loan officers and brokers serving senior homeowners, the product offers another tool for bridging retirement income gaps, funding large expenses or backing up emergency reserves. Example uses highlighted by FOA include home improvements, helping children or grandchildren with tuition or down payments, managing short-term cash needs, or covering unexpected medical and household costs.

Like other reverse mortgage products, the loan must be repaid when the borrower no longer meets the loan obligations, including living in the home as a principal residence, paying property charges or maintaining the property. Mortgage professionals will need to weigh these risks, as well as nonrevolving LOC terms and adjustable rates, against other forward and reverse lending options.

Finance of America said it plans to roll out HomeSafe Second Line of Credit beyond California to additional states throughout 2026.

This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

This post was originally published on here. 

U.S. reverse mortgage endorsements rose sharply in March following subdued activity in February, but overall volume remains down compared with recent months, according to data released Wednesday by Reverse Market Insight (RMI).

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements increased 16.3% in March to 2,117 loans. Despite the monthly gain, activity remained below the levels seen in every month since August 2025.

“March bounced back from the short February, rising 16.3% to 2,117 loans, although that remains below every month since August,” RMI wrote in commentary accompanying the data. “That continues the theme of weakness in HECM endorsements we touched on last month, and we believe the more competitive and non-FHA reverse mortgage market is the primary contributor.”

The decline in HECM volume reflects ongoing competitive pressure from proprietary reverse mortgage products, which industry observers say have captured much of the growth in recent years.

“We still don’t have comprehensive data there, but what we can piece together looks like the growth in unit volume has been almost entirely in the proprietary products for several years, particularly when we exclude the HECM refinance waves from 2018-2022,” RMI explained.

Nine of the 10 regions analyzed by RMI posted monthly increases in March, with four outpacing the national growth rate.

The Rocky Mountain region led these gains, rising 33.8% to 178 loans. The Northwest/Alaska region followed with a 33.1% increase to 165 loans, while the New York/New Jersey region climbed 33% to 133 loans. The Mid-Atlantic region also saw strong growth, increasing 32.5% to 159 loans.

Among the top 10 lenders, eight recorded month-over-month increases. Goodlife Home Loans/Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corp. posted the largest jump, surging 55.1% to 107 loans. Finance of America (FOA) increased its endorsements by 24.7% to 454 loans, while South River Mortgage saw an 18.8% gain to 82 loans.

HMBS posts modest gain

In sync with rising HECM endorsements, the issuance of HECM Mortgage-Backed Securities (HMBS) rose modestly in March, according to data compiled by New View Advisors.

HMBS issuance totaled $441 million in March, up $10 million from February’s figure of $431 million but down $46 million from $487 million in the same month last year. A total of 66 pools were issued during the month, unchanged from February.

Despite the monthly increase, March’s total ranks among the lowest levels since 2009. Only four months, including February 2026, have had weaker issuance in that time span, New View reported.

FOA was the top issuer in March with $138 million, down slightly from $140 million in February. Longbridge Financial followed with $114 million and Mutual of Omaha Mortgage issued $81 million. Onity Mortgage Corp., formerly PHH Mortgage Corp., issued $59 million, down $7 million from the prior month.

Ginnie Mae/Reverse Mortgage Funding, also known as “Issuer 42,” did not issue any HMBS pools during March.

First-participation production totaled $260 million, flat month over month but down from both January and March 2025. Through the first quarter, FAR remained the top issuer of first-participation HMBS at $255 million, followed by Longbridge, Mutual of Omaha and Onity.

Of the 66 pools issued in March, 16 were first participations and 49 were tail pools, with one mixed pool. Tail issuance — which reflects additional draws on existing loans rather than new originations — rose to $181 million, up from $169 million in February.

Smaller pools also played a notable role. Twenty pools of less than $1 million were issued, enabled by Ginnie Mae’s allowance for pools as small as $250,000, which accounted for $12.4 million in issuance that may not otherwise have reached the market. Additionally, $69.8 million in participations were pooled using a 2023 policy that permits multiple participations from the same loan within a single month.

New View Advisors also reported that FOA maintained its position as the leading HMBS issuer in the first quarter of 2026, topping both total and first-participation issuance with $433 million and $255 million, respectively.

Longbridge ranked second with $361 million in total issuance, capturing a 26% market share, and continued to gain ground in first-participation volume with $237 million. It solidified its position ahead of Mutual of Omaha and Onity, which rounded out the top four with $260 million and $218 million in total issuance, respectively.

A total of nine issuers were active during the quarter, with the top four collectively accounting for about 90% of overall HMBS issuance volume, according to data compiled by New View Advisors from Ginnie Mae and private sources.

This post was originally published on here. 

Washington, D.C., council members are leaning into a growing national trend by relaxing single-stairway rules to cut the cost of building small and mid-rise housing.

On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously advanced the One Front Door Act. If it passes on second reading, the maximum height for residential buildings with a single stairway would double to six stories.

Single-stair residential policy is gaining momentum nationwide as lawmakers and housing advocates seek additional ways to boost housing supply. A growing list of states and cities now allow, or are moving toward allowing, single-stair apartment buildings up to roughly five or six stories, with the added condition that they strengthen fire-safety systems.

The D.C. ordinance would lift current height limits so point-access, or single-stair, apartment buildings can rise taller while still meeting modern fire and life-safety standards such as sprinklers and smoke control.

Today, D.C. generally limits single-stair residential buildings to three stories, a threshold shared by many U.S. jurisdictions that follow International Building Code provisions. Supporters say the rules push designers toward wider, bulkier buildings with double-loaded corridors or make small multifamily projects on narrow lots infeasible.

Implementation details

Under the One Front Door Act, the Construction Codes Coordinating Board would have to develop criteria that specify which building types may adopt a single enclosed stair and what additional protections they must include. That work is expected to cover issues such as maximum travel distances from units to the stairs, corridor ventilation and elevator placement, as well as requirements for sprinklers and alarms.

The ordinance frames single-stair reform as one piece of a broader effort to reduce regulatory barriers to modest-scale apartment construction in a city with constrained infill sites and high land costs.

Potential benefits and concerns

Housing and planning groups, along with researchers who have examined international codes, say these reforms can open up low- and mid-rise sites, trim construction costs, and support more naturally affordable units without direct subsidy.

Fire safety professionals often oppose changes, arguing that stairwell redundancy remains safer.

Studies, including one in Minnesota, have found that a single stairwell can be as safe, or safer, than multiple stairs in a typical fire because of sprinklers and other safety measures.

In D.C., opponents, including several neighborhood civic associations, warned about potential evacuation risks and compatibility with historic districts. The city’s Department of Buildings has pledged to release design guidelines and require additional fire-safety reviews for single-stair projects before it issues permits.

“Allowing single-stair buildings at modest heights does not create a new class of high-risk construction,” Yesim Sayin, D.C. Policy Center’s executive director, said in testimony at a January hearing on the ordinance. “It enables small walk-ups and adaptive reuse projects to be built more efficiently—projects that sit squarely between single-family homes and high-rise towers. These are precisely the housing types that many neighborhoods say they want and that the District chronically underproduces.”

If the D.C. Council approves the One Front Door Act on final reading, the District would become one of the highest-profile East Coast jurisdictions to formally embrace this approach to mid-rise housing design.

This post was originally published on here. 

Lower has launched Movoto Advantage, a limited-access, subscription-based program that connects high-performing solo real estate agents with motivated home buyers and sellers through real-time live transfers, the company announced Thursday.

The program, which Lower began rolling out in late 2025, operates within Lower’s Movoto real estate marketplace and has enrolled about 200 agents to date. It has doubled in size since its initial rollout and has generated thousands of consumer introductions, according to the announcement.

Movoto Advantage targets independent agents who rank near the top in their markets by transaction volume and have a history of closing deals, strong client service and consistent responsiveness. Unlike traditional online real estate platforms that may send the same opportunity to multiple agents, Movoto Advantage limits the number of participating agents in each market and routes consumers to a single, vetted agent in real time.

“Top real estate agents should be set up for success when connecting with consumers, not put in situations that reduce them to a commodity or make consumers feel like they are being spammed,” John Berkowitz, the president of real estate at Lower, said in a statement.

“By giving high-performing agents real conversations with motivated buyers and sellers, and giving those consumers the support they need to navigate the transaction, we are building an ecosystem that works better for everyone.”

The model builds on Movoto’s Pro+ program, launched in 2023 to serve real estate teams, but is tailored specifically for solo agents. Prospective participants apply online and, once approved, receive referrals to local buyers and sellers. Lower positions the limited-membership structure as a way to provide more predictable opportunity flow and a larger share of available leads for each participating agent.

Movoto Advantage is integrated with Lower’s lending platform through Lower Connect, which pairs consumers and agents with Lower loan officers for fast preapprovals and support through closing. The company says this alignment is intended to streamline the homebuying process and improve pull-through rates for both agents and lenders.

“The traditional buying experience has too many friction points that push qualified buyers to the sidelines,” Lower CEO Dan Snyder said in a statement. “When agents and lenders work together inside one ecosystem, barriers come down and buyers move forward with real momentum. That’s how we start closing the gap between wanting a home and owning one.”

The announcement comes almost a year after Lower acquired Movoto from its parent company, OJO Labs. Movoto Advantage aligns closely with comments Berkowitz made to HousingWire in July 2025 when discussing his hopes of using Lower’s network to connect more consumers with top local real estate agents and mortgage professionals.

“Call center mortgages work for a certain subset of consumers, but for the ones that go to a real estate agent first and rely on real estate agent recommendations, it is very hard for them to partner with a call center,” Berkowitz told HousingWire in July 2025.

“So, while we may be the smallest in scale as far as consumers, I think we have that last mile of the operation more scaled and dialed in than anybody else. And how do you win when you are fighting against giants? You lean into your strengths and I think you are going to see us lean heavily into delivering a really good, consistent experience for consumers at a local level by leveraging the best real estate agents in that market and a well-run retail mortgage operation.” 

This article was written by Brooklee Han and generated with the assistance of HousingWire Automation. It was reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

This post was originally published on here. 

For many agents and brokers across the country, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement thrust buyer representation agreements into the forefront.

Under the terms of the settlement, which went into effect in August 2024, Realtors are required to have consumers sign a buyer agency agreement that outlinse the terms of the agent’s services and compensation prior to touring a property. This requirement marked a change for agents across the country — even those already accustomed to using buyer agency agreements — and sparked concern among others about getting a stranger they just met to sign a legally binding contract. 

This concern prompted several states to examine their buyer agency and disclosure laws. Alabama was one of the earliest movers in enacting legislation in response to the buyer agency agreement requirements outlined in NAR’s settlement. 

In March 2025, Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed into law a bill that ensures homebuyers only have to sign a buyer brokerage agreement prior to submitting an offer on a property — and not before touring a home with an agent. 

The law reaffirms Alabama’s existing Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act (RECAD) framework, with emphasis on early discussions of brokerage services and compensation. But it prevents consumers from signing a contract with an agent early in their relationship. 

Chad Beasley, a Birmingham, Alabama-based agent for eXp Realty, said that in the year since the bill was passed, it has mostly felt like business as usual. 

“It was a pretty seamless change because it basically went back to the way we were doing things prior to the NAR settlement,” Beasley said. “In my business, I am always careful when meeting buyers for the first time to sit down and go over the real estate brokerage services disclosure form that is required.

“Even prior to the settlement, if it was someone who already knew they wanted to work with me, then we’d also sign the buyer representation agreement then, but now with the new law in place, that isn’t a requirement.”

Not having to follow the settlement requirement for buyer agency agreements has made meetings with new leads a lot more comfortable, Beasley said. 

“I just feel like requiring buyer representation agreements to show a home is a bit of a push too far,” he said. “If brokerage options are being disclosed properly and the consumer understands what capacity I am acting in, then as the relationship moves forward and we both decide we are comfortable working together, then we can sign that buyer representation agreement.

“I feel like it gives agents the freedom to work their business how they want to, and take the time they need to build those relationships before taking that next step.” 

Exploring risk tolerance

Jeremy Walker, CEO of the Alabama Association of Realtors, which backed the bill, shared a similar sentiment.

“You want to be able to establish a relationship with a professional you’re going to be working with. That’s one of the biggest complaints from consumers,” Walker said on an episode of Capitol Journal in February 2025. “They may see a property listed, or know someone and want to work with them and see a property, but they don’t want to be forced into a buyer agreement too soon.

“They want to get to know you before they say, ‘Hey, I want to work with you.’ And that’s where we want to get that part right,” Walker added.

Beasley acknowledged that it is a risk to tour a property without having a buyer representation agreement as an agent may not be paid for that work. This is why he will typically only show two properties to a client without having a signed agreement. 

“After a while you need that representation agreement, because there are questions I can’t answer and there are things that buyers shouldn’t be telling me if I am not representing them,” Beasley said. 

He added that other agents may be more willing to show several properties to a buyer before signing an agreement, but his risk tolerance usually sits at the two-property threshold. Still, Beasley said he is grateful that the new law allows him and other licensees in the states to decide what makes the most sense for their businesses. 

“I do take measures to protect myself, and I ask a lot of questions to make sure that buyer isn’t working with another agent or just using me to open a door when they plan to submit an offer on that property with another agent,” he said. “I do think it is neat to see that Alabama was on the forefront of this, and to see that other states are following makes it feel like this was a pretty good idea.”

Texas takes a different tact

Texas is another state that acted quickly in adjusting its laws related to buyer agency agreements. But the Lone Star State took the opposite approach to Alabama.

Under the updated version of the state’s real estate license law, agents must enter into a written agreement with a prospective buyer before taking any substantive action. This means that while an agent could unlock the door to a property for a buyer without having a signed agreement, the agent cannot offer any advice or opinions on the property, bringing the state law more in line with the terms of the NAR settlement. 

The law went into effect at the start of 2026.

Brandy Wuensch, the broker-owner of City View Realty Group and immediate past president of the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR), said she is grateful for the clarity and transparency the law provides consumers about agent roles and compensation. 

“There was a lot of confusion among agents and consumers, and a lot of out-of-date practices. And with the industry evolving quickly over the past couple of years, I think this legislation helped formalize the expectations so both agents and consumers could better understand how representation is structured,” Wuensch said.

“It reinforced professionalism in the industry, and ensured that agents are clearly communicating their value and making sure that they are more intentional in explaining who they represent, how they are compensated and what services they provide.” 

Wuensch added that she feels the law reinforces best practices that agents should already have been following. As much as the law helps increase transparency for consumers, Wuensch also feels that the law protects agents.

“For agents, it really reinforces the importance of formal representation and professional standards, and it helps legitimize the work that we do and ensures that we are not operating in gray areas,” she said. 

Kelea Youngblood, the chief marketing officer of Unlock MLS and ABoR, views the new law as a step toward “modernization.” 

“It brought Texas agency law closer to how the market was already operating, and it clarified when a license holder is and is not representing a buyer,” Youngblood said. “It was a meaningful step toward clearer expectations and more transparency for consumers.” 

Meanwhile, in Oklahoma and Mississippi…

While the law in Texas closely aligns with the terms of the NAR settlement, the state’s neighbor to the north, Oklahoma, is currently contemplating two bills that seek to do the opposite of what the Texas law has done.

Under the two bills, SB 1217 and SB 1225, a broker must disclose any information pertaining to their compensation or fees charged prior to providing a client with the services they plan to charge for. Additionally, brokers and agents are not required to procure a buyer broker agreement before showing a property. 

In an email, Bryan Hutchinson, the CEO of Oklahoma Realtors, told HousingWire that the association is not publicly opposing SB 1217, which stipulates that an agent is not required to have a buyer sign a representation agreement to show a property. 

“​​Ultimately, whatever decision legislators make, our association knows that we will work with OREC (Oklahoma Real Estate Commission) to communicate and enforce the law,” Hutchinson wrote. “However, SB 1217 is inconsistent with the adopted legislative position of Oklahoma Realtors. The association believes the legislation, as drafted, will confuse Realtor members who are licensees and potentially confuse consumers who will receive mixed messaging.

“Because of these inconsistencies and potential for confusion in the marketplace,  Oklahoma Realtors does not support SB1217, rather it has chosen to monitor the legislation.” 

Hutchinson added that the association encourages its members to follow the terms of NAR’s commission lawsuit settlement. 

In contrast, Mississippi Realtors supported SB 2713, which was signed into law in March 2026. The law makes it optional for a buyer’s agent to sign an agreement to provide a home tour.

Under the law, licensees are required to have a brokerage agreement signed with their clients only prior to listing a home for sale, or when submitting an offer on a property if they’re going to be compensated for the services provided.

“SB 2713 protects consumers by requiring Mississippi licensed real estate agents to include relevant terms and a clear disclosure of compensation in written brokerage agreements before listing or submitting an offer on residential property. This new law provides buyers and brokers maximum flexibility in finalizing terms of their relationship before negotiations begin involving a property,” DeShawn Davis, the 2026 president of Mississippi Realtors, wrote in an emailed statement. 

Davis added that NAR’s settlement defers to state law on the requirement of written agreements for buyers touring a home.

“With SB 2713, Mississippi surpasses the protections in the NAR settlement by requiring written agreements for sellers and buyers working with any licensed real estate agent, irrespective of Realtor membership,” Davis wrote. “At the same time, SB 2713 gives consumers and agents greater flexibility in forging business relationships while enhancing transparency and consumer choice.”

While other states are taking a different approach to buyer agency agreements with their laws and proposals, Youngblood said the most important thing is that any new law enacted provides more clarity and transparency for consumers. 

“I think states are all solving the same issue — just in different ways,” Youngblood said. “I think Texas chose early clarity and to be on the front end, and I believe that Texas’s choice is more structured, which I think can serve consumers well when it is paired with strong education for agents.

“So, making a choice to favor a more statutory framework, I think, was a positive one.”

This post was originally published on here. 

For many agents and brokers across the country, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) commission lawsuit settlement agreement thrust buyer representation agreements into the forefront.

Under the terms of the settlement, which went into effect in August 2024, Realtors are required to have consumers sign a buyer agency agreement that outlinse the terms of the agent’s services and compensation prior to touring a property. This requirement marked a change for agents across the country — even those already accustomed to using buyer agency agreements — and sparked concern among others about getting a stranger they just met to sign a legally binding contract. 

This concern prompted several states to examine their buyer agency and disclosure laws. Alabama was one of the earliest movers in enacting legislation in response to the buyer agency agreement requirements outlined in NAR’s settlement. 

In March 2025, Alabama governor Kay Ivey signed into law a bill that ensures homebuyers only have to sign a buyer brokerage agreement prior to submitting an offer on a property — and not before touring a home with an agent. 

The law reaffirms Alabama’s existing Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act (RECAD) framework, with emphasis on early discussions of brokerage services and compensation. But it prevents consumers from signing a contract with an agent early in their relationship. 

Chad Beasley, a Birmingham, Alabama-based agent for eXp Realty, said that in the year since the bill was passed, it has mostly felt like business as usual. 

“It was a pretty seamless change because it basically went back to the way we were doing things prior to the NAR settlement,” Beasley said. “In my business, I am always careful when meeting buyers for the first time to sit down and go over the real estate brokerage services disclosure form that is required.

“Even prior to the settlement, if it was someone who already knew they wanted to work with me, then we’d also sign the buyer representation agreement then, but now with the new law in place, that isn’t a requirement.”

Not having to follow the settlement requirement for buyer agency agreements has made meetings with new leads a lot more comfortable, Beasley said. 

“I just feel like requiring buyer representation agreements to show a home is a bit of a push too far,” he said. “If brokerage options are being disclosed properly and the consumer understands what capacity I am acting in, then as the relationship moves forward and we both decide we are comfortable working together, then we can sign that buyer representation agreement.

“I feel like it gives agents the freedom to work their business how they want to, and take the time they need to build those relationships before taking that next step.” 

Exploring risk tolerance

Jeremy Walker, CEO of the Alabama Association of Realtors, which backed the bill, shared a similar sentiment.

“You want to be able to establish a relationship with a professional you’re going to be working with. That’s one of the biggest complaints from consumers,” Walker said on an episode of Capitol Journal in February 2025. “They may see a property listed, or know someone and want to work with them and see a property, but they don’t want to be forced into a buyer agreement too soon.

“They want to get to know you before they say, ‘Hey, I want to work with you.’ And that’s where we want to get that part right,” Walker added.

Beasley acknowledged that it is a risk to tour a property without having a buyer representation agreement as an agent may not be paid for that work. This is why he will typically only show two properties to a client without having a signed agreement. 

“After a while you need that representation agreement, because there are questions I can’t answer and there are things that buyers shouldn’t be telling me if I am not representing them,” Beasley said. 

He added that other agents may be more willing to show several properties to a buyer before signing an agreement, but his risk tolerance usually sits at the two-property threshold. Still, Beasley said he is grateful that the new law allows him and other licensees in the states to decide what makes the most sense for their businesses. 

“I do take measures to protect myself, and I ask a lot of questions to make sure that buyer isn’t working with another agent or just using me to open a door when they plan to submit an offer on that property with another agent,” he said. “I do think it is neat to see that Alabama was on the forefront of this, and to see that other states are following makes it feel like this was a pretty good idea.”

Texas takes a different tact

Texas is another state that acted quickly in adjusting its laws related to buyer agency agreements. But the Lone Star State took the opposite approach to Alabama.

Under the updated version of the state’s real estate license law, agents must enter into a written agreement with a prospective buyer before taking any substantive action. This means that while an agent could unlock the door to a property for a buyer without having a signed agreement, the agent cannot offer any advice or opinions on the property, bringing the state law more in line with the terms of the NAR settlement. 

The law went into effect at the start of 2026.

Brandy Wuensch, the broker-owner of City View Realty Group and immediate past president of the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR), said she is grateful for the clarity and transparency the law provides consumers about agent roles and compensation. 

“There was a lot of confusion among agents and consumers, and a lot of out-of-date practices. And with the industry evolving quickly over the past couple of years, I think this legislation helped formalize the expectations so both agents and consumers could better understand how representation is structured,” Wuensch said.

“It reinforced professionalism in the industry, and ensured that agents are clearly communicating their value and making sure that they are more intentional in explaining who they represent, how they are compensated and what services they provide.” 

Wuensch added that she feels the law reinforces best practices that agents should already have been following. As much as the law helps increase transparency for consumers, Wuensch also feels that the law protects agents.

“For agents, it really reinforces the importance of formal representation and professional standards, and it helps legitimize the work that we do and ensures that we are not operating in gray areas,” she said. 

Kelea Youngblood, the chief marketing officer of Unlock MLS and ABoR, views the new law as a step toward “modernization.” 

“It brought Texas agency law closer to how the market was already operating, and it clarified when a license holder is and is not representing a buyer,” Youngblood said. “It was a meaningful step toward clearer expectations and more transparency for consumers.” 

Meanwhile, in Oklahoma and Mississippi…

While the law in Texas closely aligns with the terms of the NAR settlement, the state’s neighbor to the north, Oklahoma, is currently contemplating two bills that seek to do the opposite of what the Texas law has done.

Under the two bills, SB 1217 and SB 1225, a broker must disclose any information pertaining to their compensation or fees charged prior to providing a client with the services they plan to charge for. Additionally, brokers and agents are not required to procure a buyer broker agreement before showing a property. 

In an email, Bryan Hutchinson, the CEO of Oklahoma Realtors, told HousingWire that the association is not publicly opposing SB 1217, which stipulates that an agent is not required to have a buyer sign a representation agreement to show a property. 

“​​Ultimately, whatever decision legislators make, our association knows that we will work with OREC (Oklahoma Real Estate Commission) to communicate and enforce the law,” Hutchinson wrote. “However, SB 1217 is inconsistent with the adopted legislative position of Oklahoma Realtors. The association believes the legislation, as drafted, will confuse Realtor members who are licensees and potentially confuse consumers who will receive mixed messaging.

“Because of these inconsistencies and potential for confusion in the marketplace,  Oklahoma Realtors does not support SB1217, rather it has chosen to monitor the legislation.” 

Hutchinson added that the association encourages its members to follow the terms of NAR’s commission lawsuit settlement. 

In contrast, Mississippi Realtors supported SB 2713, which was signed into law in March 2026. The law makes it optional for a buyer’s agent to sign an agreement to provide a home tour.

Under the law, licensees are required to have a brokerage agreement signed with their clients only prior to listing a home for sale, or when submitting an offer on a property if they’re going to be compensated for the services provided.

“SB 2713 protects consumers by requiring Mississippi licensed real estate agents to include relevant terms and a clear disclosure of compensation in written brokerage agreements before listing or submitting an offer on residential property. This new law provides buyers and brokers maximum flexibility in finalizing terms of their relationship before negotiations begin involving a property,” DeShawn Davis, the 2026 president of Mississippi Realtors, wrote in an emailed statement. 

Davis added that NAR’s settlement defers to state law on the requirement of written agreements for buyers touring a home.

“With SB 2713, Mississippi surpasses the protections in the NAR settlement by requiring written agreements for sellers and buyers working with any licensed real estate agent, irrespective of Realtor membership,” Davis wrote. “At the same time, SB 2713 gives consumers and agents greater flexibility in forging business relationships while enhancing transparency and consumer choice.”

While other states are taking a different approach to buyer agency agreements with their laws and proposals, Youngblood said the most important thing is that any new law enacted provides more clarity and transparency for consumers. 

“I think states are all solving the same issue — just in different ways,” Youngblood said. “I think Texas chose early clarity and to be on the front end, and I believe that Texas’s choice is more structured, which I think can serve consumers well when it is paired with strong education for agents.

“So, making a choice to favor a more statutory framework, I think, was a positive one.”

This post was originally published on here. 

United Real Estate expanded its national network with the addition of Allison James Estates and Homes, a 725-agent, multi-state brokerage based in Port Charlotte, Florida, the company announced Thursday.

The affiliation extends United’s reach across California, Florida, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Nevada, Texas, Massachusetts and Virginia, bringing more East and West Coast coverage under its national platform.

The move follows a series of scale-focused affiliations for United. In 2025, the Dallas-based brokerage expanded with MORE Realty, adding about 900 agents across the Pacific Northwest and Southwest. In 2024, it affiliated with Premiere Plus Realty, bringing on about 1,500 agents and increasing its market share in Florida.

United positions its strategy as an alternative to traditional brokerage roll-ups by allowing large independents to keep their local brands while tapping national resources, technology and a shared agent community. For housing professionals, these models can affect recruiting, splits, tech access and competitive positioning in local markets as more independents plug into national networks.

“United Real Estate is doing things differently, and it’s really their people and collaborative broker community that will help us hit our growth goals,” Matthew Crumbaugh, the CEO of Allison James Estates and Homes, said in the announcement. “Over the next five years, our focus is on increasing agent production, and we will leverage all the tools United provides to help make that happen.”

Crumbaugh said the arrangement lets Allison James maintain its family-owned culture and brand while giving agents a broader platform to grow and build long-term wealth.

Rick Haase, the president of United Real Estate, said Allison James is “in a perfect position” to join United’s family of companies.

“Their leadership team brings both sharp business acumen and a deep passion for building on a strong legacy of success,” Haase said in a statement. “Matt, Jessica, Victoria and the entire Allison James team are outstanding additions to our organization. Together, the exchange of knowledge, experience and talent between our companies will accelerate growth and opportunities for both agents and clients alike.”

Allison James executives also expressed excitement over the training, expanded mentorship and advanced marketing tools agents will gain access through the affiliation. Among the tools Allison James agents will adopt is United’s BullseyeAI, the firm’s proprietary AI-driven productivity platform. BullseyeAI streamlines tasks such as inputting client contact data, writing follow-up messages, initiating automated email campaigns, summarizing client interactions and searching for properties via text or voice commands, according to the company.

For brokers and team leaders, the spread of in-house AI platforms like BullseyeAI signals an escalation in the technology arms race among national brokerage networks, with automated workflows and marketing support increasingly used as recruiting and retention levers.

Allison James was founded in 2008 as a cloud-based, full-service brokerage with a flat-fee, 100% commission structure designed to give agents more control over their economics. The firm emphasizes technology, education and personalized support for agents serving buyers and sellers in its eight-state footprint.

Editor’s note: This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

This post was originally published on here. 

United Real Estate expanded its national network with the addition of Allison James Estates and Homes, a 725-agent, multi-state brokerage based in Port Charlotte, Florida, the company announced Thursday.

The affiliation extends United’s reach across California, Florida, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Nevada, Texas, Massachusetts and Virginia, bringing more East and West Coast coverage under its national platform.

The move follows a series of scale-focused affiliations for United. In 2025, the Dallas-based brokerage expanded with MORE Realty, adding about 900 agents across the Pacific Northwest and Southwest. In 2024, it affiliated with Premiere Plus Realty, bringing on about 1,500 agents and increasing its market share in Florida.

United positions its strategy as an alternative to traditional brokerage roll-ups by allowing large independents to keep their local brands while tapping national resources, technology and a shared agent community. For housing professionals, these models can affect recruiting, splits, tech access and competitive positioning in local markets as more independents plug into national networks.

“United Real Estate is doing things differently, and it’s really their people and collaborative broker community that will help us hit our growth goals,” Matthew Crumbaugh, the CEO of Allison James Estates and Homes, said in the announcement. “Over the next five years, our focus is on increasing agent production, and we will leverage all the tools United provides to help make that happen.”

Crumbaugh said the arrangement lets Allison James maintain its family-owned culture and brand while giving agents a broader platform to grow and build long-term wealth.

Rick Haase, the president of United Real Estate, said Allison James is “in a perfect position” to join United’s family of companies.

“Their leadership team brings both sharp business acumen and a deep passion for building on a strong legacy of success,” Haase said in a statement. “Matt, Jessica, Victoria and the entire Allison James team are outstanding additions to our organization. Together, the exchange of knowledge, experience and talent between our companies will accelerate growth and opportunities for both agents and clients alike.”

Allison James executives also expressed excitement over the training, expanded mentorship and advanced marketing tools agents will gain access through the affiliation. Among the tools Allison James agents will adopt is United’s BullseyeAI, the firm’s proprietary AI-driven productivity platform. BullseyeAI streamlines tasks such as inputting client contact data, writing follow-up messages, initiating automated email campaigns, summarizing client interactions and searching for properties via text or voice commands, according to the company.

For brokers and team leaders, the spread of in-house AI platforms like BullseyeAI signals an escalation in the technology arms race among national brokerage networks, with automated workflows and marketing support increasingly used as recruiting and retention levers.

Allison James was founded in 2008 as a cloud-based, full-service brokerage with a flat-fee, 100% commission structure designed to give agents more control over their economics. The firm emphasizes technology, education and personalized support for agents serving buyers and sellers in its eight-state footprint.

Editor’s note: This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

This post was originally published on here. 

Frost Bank previously announced in 2023 that it was reentering the mortgage business after a multiyear buildup that included system development and pilot programs. Now, reporting from Dallas news outlet WFAA says that the Texas-based bank is coming back swinging with a new program for borrowers who have been priced out of the housing market.

Bill Day, Frost Bank’s senior vice president of corporate communications, clarified the company’s timeline to HousingWire and confirmed the bank began offering mortgages again in 2023.

“We’ve been steadily increasing since then,” Day said. “We started working with companies to help us design a system back in 2021 and started offering mortgages to employees in a pilot program in 2022. Then we started offering mortgages to customers in a few markets, and later statewide, in 2023.”

After relaunching its mortgage arm, Day said the company set a goal to have $500 million in mortgages by the end of 2025. Frost was able to surpass that, with Modex data revealing that Frost posted $744.2 million in volume last year.

“It has been an incremental process because we created our mortgage lending system ourselves, rather than acquiring a mortgage operator or something similar,” Day said.

“We wanted to build a mortgage lending process that would fit with the rest of our customer-centric culture, which is why we intend to service the mortgage ourselves through the life of the loan, rather than bundle and sell off the mortgages as is common elsewhere in mortgage lending.”

A central part of Frost’s push has been its “Progress Mortgage,” a product designed to attract borrowers who have been priced out of the market. The loan offers up to 100% financing with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance and about $4,000 in closing-cost assistance for qualifying borrowers, particularly those earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI).

Borrowers earning between 80% and 110% of the AMI in low- to moderate-income census tracts may also qualify for waived administrative fees, according to Frost’s website.

The product features a 30-year fixed rate, no minimum loan amount and is structured to lower monthly payments, expanding access to homeownership for underserved buyers.

“Progress Mortgages are not a main source of income for us, but they’re important to our customers here in Texas, where affordable housing is increasingly scarce due to rapid growth, and it’s a great way to introduce new customers to Frost Bank,” Day said.

Banks, which once dominated the mortgage market prior to 2008, have steadily withdrawn their originations activity and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) presence.

Banks originated roughly 60% of mortgages in 2008 and serviced roughly 95% of outstanding balances, according to data cited by Michelle Bowman, the Federal Reserve’s vice chair for supervision. By 2023, these figures had fallen to 35% and 45%, respectively.

But industry executives told HousingWire last month that banks could become more active if changes to the Basel III regulatory framework provide more flexibility for them to put mortgages on their balance sheets.

This post was originally published on here. 

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has introduced an expertise-driven application process for its 2027 governance committees, aiming to match members to roles based on their experience, qualifications and leadership background, the trade group announced Thursday.

This announcement comes one day after NAR announced plans to sunset some governance groups as part of a committee overhaul as the trade association looks to streamline its committee structure and reduce duplication.

NAR said the updated application process is meant to create a more targeted, transparent and effective system for filling volunteer leadership positions across its governance structure. The move also comes as NAR faces growing pressure from members and regulators to demonstrate clearer accountability and stronger oversight of their boards and committees.

“NAR’s committees help shape the work of our association and the future of our industry, and we want members with the right experience, ideas and leadership to see a clear path to serving,” NAR President Kevin Brown said in a statement. “The new process is designed to bring more transparency to committee appointments, help members put their expertise to work, and better match talented applicants to the roles where they can make the greatest impact.”

The changes center on a new “Expertise Profile” that every 2027 committee applicant must complete before submitting an application. The profile will form the basis for how an applicant’s industry background, association involvement and subject-matter expertise are reviewed.

After completing the profile, members will move into a more tailored application that NAR said is intended to better evaluate their fit for specific committee assignments.

NAR framed the revisions as part of a broader focus on stronger governance, more intentional leadership selection and increased transparency around how committee appointments are made. For brokers and real estate agents, more clearly defined pathways into committee service could influence how industry rules, standards and advocacy priorities are set at the national level.

Governance structures at major trade groups like NAR can shape policy debates on issues ranging from MLS rules and professional standards to fair housing and federal housing finance. An application process that ties committee seats more directly to relevant experience may affect who is at the table when these decisions are made. Applications for 2027 committees are now live on NAR’s website.

This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

This post was originally published on here. 

Mortgage lenders are increasingly formalizing or expanding their homebuilder divisions as they look to capture a larger share of the purchase lending pie, even as broader housing activity remains uneven.

CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) launched a dedicated builder division in March, positioning it as a way to deepen relationships with homebuilders while gearing products for new-home buyers, a move that CEO Ron Leonhardt called a “strategic investment.”

In an interview with HousingWire, Leonhardt elaborated that the move is an expansion aimed at aligning more closely with builders as new construction accounts for a growing share of available housing inventory.

“It’s designed to support both builders and CCM loan officers, giving builders a reliable mortgage partner and helping loan officers win more purchase business tied to new construction, without taking over their relationships or deals,” Leonhardt said.

The division, led by executive vice president Damien Mercer, offers a range of financing products, including construction loans, bridge loans, fix-and-flip financing and forward commitments.

Capitalizing on opportunity

At the same time, other lenders are building out similar efforts.

Guaranteed Rate Affinity (GRA) is a joint venture between Rate and Anywhere Integrated Services that already had a national builder division. It recently tapped Kevin Ginsburg to lead the division with the purpose of “expanding builder partnerships across Guaranteed Rate Affinity and its real estate partner, Coldwell Banker.”

In an interview with HousingWire, Ginsburg said his promotion reflects what he described as a broader industry shift toward treating builder business as a core pillar rather than a side channel.

“A healthy balance of builders in any company should be maybe around 15% to 20% of your overall retail book of business,” Ginsburg said. “In a lot of our markets … we’ve got the opportunity that’s there, but we’re just not fully taking advantage of it.”

Ginsburg, who has spent roughly two-thirds of his career in builder-focused roles, said many lenders have historically captured builder business opportunistically rather than through a defined strategy. The creation of formal divisions signals a shift toward more intentional growth.

“I think what happens is, you do some of this [builder] business on accident,” he said. “The idea of doing this was for us to focus on our strategy … not just within growing it through those relationships, but also growing it for the entire retail enterprise.”

The renewed focus on builder partnerships comes despite a recent slowdown in new home sales compared to prior years. But neither CCM nor GRA are discouraged by these headlines. 

“The timing reflects the growing role builders play in today’s housing market,” Leonhardt said. “Across the U.S., new construction now makes up more than one-quarter of homes currently for sale.”

Ginsburg pointed out that conditions vary widely by region and are being shaped by elevated levels of unsold inventory in some markets. For example, builder activity remains concentrated in Sun Belt states and in high-growth regions, particularly in Texas, Florida and Arizona.

“There’s a whole lot of specs that have been built over the last couple of years, and builders actually have inventory,” he said. “What I think a lot of mortgage companies are looking at is, do we have solutions to help them move their inventory?”

As a result, products such as forward commitments and long-term rate locks are gaining popularity as key tools to help builders. This is particularly true for small and midsize firms looking to compete with larger, publicly traded builders, Ginsburg said.

Under forward commitment structures, lenders effectively provide builders with access to below-market financing in bulk, which can then be used to market lower mortgage rates to buyers.

“We’re basically selling them blocks of money … at below-market interest rates,” Ginsburg said. “It allows them to compete on par with their large competitors out there.”

Beyond rate-focused products, lenders are also expanding into alternative financing solutions to address gaps in the market. At GRA, more than 40% of production last year came from products that did not exist two years earlier, Ginsburg said, a testament to GRA’s commitment to “solve a product or service gap.”

Meeting demand

As lenders expand nationally, scale and consistency across markets are becoming more important. Ginsburg said large, multistate builders value partners who understand their operations and can deliver standardized solutions across regions.

“National companies taking on builder business is all about scale,” he said.

On the flip side, lenders are trying to access all touch points of the housing industry. To boot, competition is intensifying as these lenders chase a smaller origination market than during the heydays of 2020 and 2021.

“I think you’ll see more of this,” Ginsburg said. “There were tons of builder divisions until there weren’t … and now focusing on builder again as one of the legs of the stool of your business.”

“Mortgage is a copycat league,” he added. “When companies see other companies doing this … you’re going to see people that all want to dive into the similar spaces, because it’s where the opportunity is.”

This post was originally published on here. 

Rhode Island could become another state that allows faith-based organizations to build affordable housing on land they own without rezoning.

The bill is gaining traction alongside two others aimed at boosting the Ocean State’s housing supply and creating more affordable options.

Like many states, Rhode Island has grappled with a housing crisis as rents and home prices rise amid too little new supply. Lawmakers opened this year’s session with a sixth package of housing reforms.

In addition to the “yes in God’s backyard” legislation, state lawmakers are considering bills to re-legalize single-room occupancy housing and create a new financing incentive to convert commercial buildings into affordable housing.

All three measures have strong support from most housing advocates across the state. Several spoke in favor of the bills during a long committee hearing Monday night.

Faith-based affordable housing

State Rep. June Speakman, who introduced the Faith-based Affordable Housing Act, cited California as an example of by-right development for such properties. California has been on the leading edge of by-right reform, with lawmakers passing a faith-based law in 2023.

“It’s too soon to determine how well it’s working,” Speakman said, but noted the need to create more housing options.

Her bill would create a statewide framework allowing faith-based organizations to develop affordable and mixed-use housing on land they own. It would also set uniform statewide development standards and curb local barriers such as discretionary denials and restrictive zoning rules. The Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation would oversee compliance and refer violations to the attorney general.

Matt Netto, associate state director for AARP Rhode Island, said in written testimony that older adults are among the people most affected by the state’s housing affordability crisis.

“As housing costs increase, too many older adults are forced to make difficult choices or leave communities where they have lived for decades,” Netto said. “Expanding a wider range of lower-cost housing options is essential to ensuring older Rhode Islanders can remain housed safely and with dignity in the community of their choosing.”

SRO bill changes

Speakman also introduced the “Restoring Options in Occupancy Models Act,” based on a legislative template the Institute for Justice has been urging states to adopt. The bill is being amended after negotiations with stakeholders.

“After some negotiations with stakeholders, we narrowed the bill slightly to apply only to areas zoned for multifamily, commercial or mixed use,” Sam Hooper, legislative counsel with the Institute, told The Builder’s Daily.

The original bill would have allowed SROs in single-family areas, but that provision drew objections from the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns. The revised version also sets a minimum tenancy of 90 days to distinguish SROs from short-term rentals.

At the hearing, housing advocate Kristina Brown said SRO development could help repurpose vacant buildings, including offices, schools and other hard-to-convert properties, into housing.

“It gives the developer, the builder, options on how to reuse that property and bring it online, which we think benefits both residents who are looking for different types of housing options as well as municipalities who want to see these properties put back online,” she said.

Adaptive reuse funding

To encourage converting commercial properties to housing, H 8142 would create a state program and fund to finance adaptive-reuse and mixed-use housing projects. It requires affordable housing units and labor-related conditions, and the bill would pair with labor union pension fund investments.

Speakman, who also introduced this bill, said that, like the other two bills, it would “take advantage of already developed spaces without having to intrude on increasingly scarce vacant land or put increasing pressure on water and sewer resources.”

The only pushback came from Rhode Island Housing’s Amy Rainone. Rainone said her organization supports incentives for adaptive reuse projects, but raised concerns about how they would interact with other incentives, such as low-income housing tax credits. She also said the way the incentives target tenants could “potentially run afoul of some fair housing requirements.”

This post was originally published on here.