THE INSIDER

A Sneak Peek into your Opportunities this November‍

With HI Expo debuting this fall, the REOX team is hard at work to make this inaugural event unforgettable for our members.

These carefully curated gatherings provide the perfect environment to build relationships, share ideas, and gain unprecedented access to experts and decision makers—all within a members-only setting.

Exclusive REOX opportunities at HI Expo:

• REOX Connect: You’re invited to join fellow members, servicers, asset managers, and experts at this private and inaugural summit. Featuring timely keynotes, dynamic discussions, and tableside conversations, REOX Connect is the place to gain facetime decision-makers across the industry.
• The REOX Bash: This evening social event will follow on the heels of REOX Connext, and offers another exclusive opportunity to mix, mingle, and celebrate with fellow members, speakers, and industry partners. Enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, and libations in an elevated atmosphere.
• Exclusive Curriculum: Designed as an off-shoot of the Transaction Resolution Pillar, REOX members will receive additional, highly relevant expert content that will be fully unavailable to non-members.

No additional work is required for you to participate in these tailored opportunities; as an REOX member, your access is included with your registration.

Attend HI Expo at the Locked in Lowest Rate

Another exclusive for REOX members, you’re invited to reserve your ticket for HI Expo at the lowest rate, beating even early bird pricing. Best of all, your rate won’t change—whether you book today or two months from now—enjoy the same exclusive discount even as prices increase for non-members.

However, to ensure your choice of accommodations at one of our partnering hotels, we do recommend registering early, as that information will be shared with registered attendees soon, allowing for early access to your choice of partnering hotel at the lowest rates.

To register and for more information, visit TheHousingIntelligence.com.

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A major shift in mortgage underwriting quietly took effect this summer—one that could open the door for more buyers and reshape how lenders evaluate credit risk. In July, FHFA Director William Pulte announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now allow lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 alongside the traditional FICO score when assessing mortgage applications.

The change also preserves the long-standing “tri-merge” credit report requirement, pulling data from all three major bureaus rather than moving to a bi-merge system as previously proposed.

The policy reversal was felt immediately on Wall Street. FICO’s stock slid nearly 9% on the news, while the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which jointly own VantageScore—saw investor optimism tick upward. But the impact for the housing industry may be even more significant than the market reaction.

VantageScore 4.0 is designed to be more inclusive, factoring in alternative data such as rent, utilities, and telecom payments. That means borrowers with thinner credit files—often first-time buyers, younger households, or those in rural and underserved markets—could now qualify for financing where they might have been sidelined before.

The National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association praised the move, calling it a long-overdue step toward modernizing mortgage credit standards.‍

For agents and brokers, this development could translate into a gradual but meaningful expansion of the buyer pool. Markets with high renter populations may see an uptick in mortgage-ready clients, while investors who specialize in entry-level or workforce housing could find a new stream of qualified purchasers.

Of course, the transition won’t happen overnight. Lenders will need to adjust systems, retrain underwriting teams, and gain comfort with the new model before adoption is widespread. In the meantime, staying informed about how both FICO and VantageScore evaluate credit—and being prepared to guide clients through either process—will be a quiet but powerful advantage in the months ahead.

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Irving, TX—The REO Housing Exchange is proud to fully and formally announce its partnership with the 2025 Housing Intelligence Expo (HI Expo), taking place this November 16-18 in Irving, Texas.

HI Expo will be the first event of its kind, a bold new conference designed to bring together all facets of mortgage servicing alongside experts in AI and banking information technology, for an event that is “built for the future of housing finance.”

Across ten “Pillars of Intelligence”, including Servicing, Valuation, Compliance, Property Preservation, and of course Transaction Resolution/REO, HI Expo is expected to become a must-attend event for housing professionals nationwide.

As the official REO membership affiliate of this inaugural conference, REOX is proud to lead the way in connecting you to unique opportunities and targeted content within HI Expo.

REOX will be hosting its own private symposium within the conference—REOX Connect—designed as a place for exclusive connections and curriculum for members and invited servicing and asset management partners.

What REOX Members can expect at HI Expo:

• An Entire Conference, in One Room: HI Expo is designed to maximize every moment of interconnectivity and flow.
  • When you exit a session, you’re immediately in the midst of the buzzy epicenter; exhibits, networking hub, snack bar, and breakout rooms all-in-one.
• Pillars of Intelligence: Ten focused academic tracks featuring expert-led talks, debates, and discussions on the most timely and toughest topics impacting the industry.
  • Capital Markets, Lending, Servicing, Valuation, Settlement, Policy & Compliance, Legal, Insurance, Property Preservation, and Transaction Resolution & REO.
• AI-Maximizing Insights: AI has already begun redefining the future of business, in a myriad of ways. HI Expo aims to equip you for this new frontier of intelligence.
  • By collaborating with foremost tech authorities, engage on highly relevant, applicable insights centered around maximizing AI’s use cases for your business.
• REOX Exclusives: REOX Connect, the REOX Bash, exclusive curriculum, and more. Check back for more details on all the unique opportunities exclusive to our members and proud partners.

For more information on HI Expo, and to reserve your place, visit TheHousingIntelligence.com. When you register, make sure to do so taking advantage of the exclusive REOX rate.

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President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed his intent to push for the privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two pivotal players in the U.S. housing finance system. These government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) back the majority of home loans nationwide, and any change to their status is bound to send ripples through the real estate and foreclosure markets.

What's Happening?

Since the 2008 financial crisis, Fannie and Freddie have been under federal conservatorship, serving as stabilizing forces in the mortgage market. Trump’s revived plan would move them back into private hands—likely through public stock offerings—while keeping a form of government support in place.

Though the specifics are still unfolding, the underlying message is clear: a major shift in the structure and regulation of the U.S. mortgage system is on the table.

What This Means for REO Agents & Brokers

For those of us working in the REO space, this potential privatization could introduce new dynamics that impact how distressed assets are acquired, managed, and sold:

• Shifts in Foreclosure Volume: Reduced federal support could increase borrowing costs, putting financial strain on homeowners. This may trigger a rise in defaults and, in turn, an increase in REO inventory.

• Changes in Asset Disposition: Privatized GSEs might adopt different criteria for disposing of non-performing assets. Expect to see more bulk auctions, investor-direct offerings, or alternative short-sale initiatives. Familiarity with GSE protocols will become even more crucial.

• Increased Importance of Preservation Knowledge: With changing ownership structures, the pressure to maintain asset value during disposition may intensify. Agents with a solid understanding of preservation budgets, repair scopes, and consumer-facing REO financing options will be better positioned.

• New Partnerships, New Rules: Privatization could pave the way for hedge funds and institutional buyers to play an even larger role. Brokers who build relationships and stay attuned to investor expectations will gain an edge in representing and liquidating portfolios.

Stay Ahead with REOX

At REOx, we’re committed to keeping our agent and broker network informed, prepared, and competitive in a changing landscape. As policymakers and institutions shape the next phase of housing finance, we’ll be here to break down what it means for your business—whether it’s shifts in bulk sales, foreclosure trends, or policy-driven opportunities.

We’ll continue bringing you the sharpest minds in the industry to share real-time insight and practical tools. Your success is our focus.

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