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Lenders: Looking to simplify closings? Work with an insurance agency

Housing Wire

HousingWire recently spoke to Tom Kriby, vice president of client development and partnerships at Westwood Insurance Agency, about how working with an insurance agency can simplify the closing process for their customers, even in times of interest rate uncertainty. Take insurance, for example.

Insurance 398
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Regions Bank places $1B bet on home renovation market

Housing Wire

Regions Bank is looking to make a big dent in the home improvement lending space , striking a deal to acquire EnerBank USA for $960 million in cash. billion as of March 31, 2021 and is one of America’s largest specialized home improvement lenders. billion in home improvement projects.

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Renovation loans get pandemic boost as homeowners want home offices

Housing Wire

There’s a mainstay in mortgage finance poised to help in working from home. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage insurance program is designed for borrowers to renovate when they purchase or refinance. It allows for actual home improvements to complement contemporary lifestyles.

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FAR parent updates investors on AAG integration, business performance

Housing Wire

Last July, the company sold its title insurance business to Essent Group , followed by strategic changes in September including a transition of its offshore-based operations to a team in the Philippines and the sale of “certain operations” of its home improvement lending business to Aqua Finance.

Business 411
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How to gain a competitive edge through in-house servicing

Housing Wire

Late fees and commissions on optional insurance can also increase revenue. This relationship can then be leveraged to offer the borrower additional services like asset protection, insurance products, home improvement loans and maintenance options, thereby increasing revenue and ensuring a positive customer experience.

Investors 359
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Is Your Home Fully Insured Against Loss or Damage?

Will Springer Realtor

How do you know if your home has enough insurance coverage? About six in 10 homeowners are insufficiently insured, according to CoreLogic, a property data research firm. That’s roughly 51M homeowners currently underinsured, and CoreLogic estimates homes are insured at about 73% of the actual property value.

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How retaining servicing provides a competitive advantage

Housing Wire

Originators are using them to help lower-income borrowers get into homes. There is still evidence that higher LTV loans with Private Mortgage Insurance are attractive to buyers who don’t have much money saved up for a down payment. Ancillary income, such as late fees and commissions on optional insurance, further increases the profits.