Mortgage & Economy

More than 2.5 million properties across the 10 most exposed western states face a moderate or greater risk of wildfire damage, representing nearly $1.4 trillion in reconstruction cost value, according to Cotality’s 2026 Wildfire Risk Report.

MLS leaders said brokers are uploading MLS data into AI tools, increasing urgency for auditing, entitlements, and enforceable policies.

Regulators in 46 states and DC reached a $15.5M settlement with Newrez over lender-placed insurance charges and refunds.

The Real Brokerage Chief Technology Officer Pritesh Damani said 80% of real estate processes could be automated within six months.

Offerpad CEO Brian Bair says buying is ramping in 2026 after losses since 2022, as the firm adds fou products and refines its buy box.

Texas HOA boards face added governance requirements as communities grow. SB 1588 expands open meeting and notice rules, while HB 614 requires written enforcement policies and clearer hearing processes, increasing the need for consistent agendas, communication and recordkeeping.

The market is shifting from point solutions to providers offering broad workflow gap coverage. This piece outlines common approaches and the due diligence questions agents should ask to avoid lock-in and weak fits.

Many builders lack structured visibility into active plans, driving redundancy, slower land decisions and weaker purchasing leverage. Higharc converts floor plans into connected data models to improve portfolio analysis and operational speed.

A narrow irrigation ditch runs along the edge of a 142-acre former farm near Willard, about 50 miles north of Salt Lake City. Beside it sits a 2.74-acre patch of wet ground. Both features are now at the center of a federal lawsuit. Federal regulators say the ditch connects to the Great Salt Lake, which…