FHA Will Require New Users to Submit a Selfie Before Accessing FHA Connection

by John G. Stevens | Sep 9, 2026 | Mortgage Information, Tech Trends

Mortgage professionals seeking new access to one of the Federal Housing Administration’s most important technology systems will soon have to prove they are who they say they are—and that will include submitting a selfie. Beginning September 14, new users of FHA...

An $8.1 Billion Apartment Merger Is Betting on Where Americans Will Rent Next

by John G. Stevens | Sep 9, 2026 | Industry Updates, Real Estate News

Two publicly traded apartment landlords are combining in an $8.1 billion deal that will put more than 44,000 apartments under one company—and create a portfolio built around a particular view of where rental demand will hold up best. Independence Realty Trust and...

NAR Report: There is No ‘Data Center Effect’ on Housing Markets

by Phil Hall | Sep 9, 2026 | Commercial Real Estate News, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, U.S. Housing Market, WRE News Exclusive

While the political debate over data center siting and construction has begun to dominate this year’s election cycle, a new study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has determined the issue is not as widespread as many people might believe. NAR’s 2026...

Florida’s Clayton Coastal Group Joins The Real Brokerage

by Phil Hall | Sep 9, 2026 | News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Real Brokerage Inc. (NASDAQ: REAX) that the Sarasota, Florida-based Clayton Coastal Group has joined the company. Founded in 2024 by former air traffic controller and house flipper Matt Clayton, the 37-agent team is expected to close nearly $300 million in real...

Banking Fintech Chime Acquires Oklahoma’s Stride Bank for $590 Million

by Phil Hall | Sep 9, 2026 | News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

Chime, the San Francisco-based banking fintech (NASDAQ: CHYM), is acquiring Stride Bank, a nationally chartered bank headquartered in Enid, Oklahoma, for $590 million in cash. The $5.4 billion-asset Stride, which has been Chime’s bank partner for more than seven...