REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRnewswire | April 17, 2023
Global X ETFs, the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), today announced the launch of the Global X PropTech ETF (PTEC). This fund, which provides exposure to companies positioned to benefit from innovations in property technology, is Global X's latest addition to its growing suite of thematic-based funds.
The global real estate market comprises over $325 trillion in assets.i, and the opportunity for disruptive technology in this market is massive. From property management software to internet-of-things-based property monitoring to virtual reality tours, there is no shortage of new tools emerging for sellers and homeowners alike. By providing exposure to the companies that are positioned to benefit from the technology that optimizes the way people buy, sell, rent, design, construct, manage, and research and market residential and commercial properties, PTEC can help enable investors to capitalize on this growth.
"The process of both finding and maintaining a home is becoming increasingly reliant on cutting-edge technologies and real estate digitization," said Pedro Palandrani, Director of Research at Global X ETFs. "With the launch of PTEC, Global X is leveraging its expertise in thematic investing to offer investors exposure to companies investing in the technology that should meet the needs of this vast, addressable market."
The Global X PropTech ETF (PTEC) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Global X PropTech Index. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.50%.
About Global X ETFs
Global X ETFs was founded in 2008. For more than a decade, our mission has been empowering investors with unexplored and intelligent solutions. Our product lineup features over 100 ETF strategies and over $38 billion in assets under management.ii While we are widely recognized for our Thematic Growth, Income, Commodity and International Access ETFs, we also offer Core, Risk Management, Digital Asset, and other solutions to suit a range of investment objectives. Explore our ETFs, research and insights, and more at www.globalxetfs.com.
Global X is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global leader in financial services, with more than $480 billion in assets under management worldwide.iii Mirae Asset has an extensive global ETF platform ranging across the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam with over $80 billion in assets under management.
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REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRnewswire | May 10, 2023
FirstClose, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that America First Credit Union selected its FirstClose Equity™ solution to provide members access to a digital end-to-end home equity product that delivers a best-in-class experience and dramatically cuts down loan application approval times.
Industry analysis shows U.S. homeowners with mortgages have seen their equity increase by a total of $1 trillion since the fourth quarter of 2021, a gain of 7.3% year over year. While home equity lending is experiencing rapid growth, it continues to be a friction-filled process driving demand for a solution.
America First is a Utah-based credit union with 120 branches across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico, serving more than 1.3 million members, making it the 5th largest credit union in the country in terms of membership. Using FirstClose Equity, America First will be able to reduce the time to close from initial inquiry to as little as one week, versus the industry average of 45 to 60 days.
"Our focus is always on our members, and our partnership with FirstClose supports our goal of delivering the best member and processor experience possible," said Austin Coleman, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at America First Credit Union.
FirstClose Equity makes home equity a low-friction lending experience that consumers have come to expect. Consumers have one experience via a private labeled POS and borrower portal. The application process itself is extremely streamlined. With the member's consent, FirstClose Equity collects and verifies asset and employment information. Even the few pieces of information that the member is required to provide can be uploaded through the platform. The decisioning engine delivers a firm decision on CLTV and pricing in approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
"Because we absorb many of the fees for our members, efficiency at every stage of the origination process takes on greater importance, and automation on both sides of the transaction is key," said Coleman. "Through our integration with FirstClose, loan officers, underwriters, and processors never have to leave their LOS, which greatly increases our efficiency with home equity lending."
Founded in 2000, FirstClose offers lenders a user-friendly home equity technology solution to lend more efficiently, faster, and at scale. "We are thrilled to be trusted with such an important role of helping fulfill America First Credit Union's mission to provide their members with a simple and streamlined home equity experience," said Tedd Smith, Chief Executive Officer of FirstClose. "We are the category leader and are committed to advancing our technology so our customers, like America First, can focus on what matters most - their member's experience and improving their bottom line."
About America First Credit Union
Founded in 1939, and with a long-standing history of exceptional member service, America First Credit Union has become one of the largest, most stable, and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 120 locations, and is the eighth largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $17 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.3 million members. For more information, visit americafirst.com.
About FirstClose
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce cost for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist the lender's borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.
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MARKET OUTLOOK, REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY
PRweb | April 25, 2023
Today Zonda unveiled their newest product offering, Livabl, North America’s largest listing platform exclusively for new construction homes. Livabl caters to both B2B and B2C clients with the mission of creating the best home-buying experience by offering the most innovative listing and digital solutions.
Formerly BuzzBuzzHome, the reimagined and expanded listing platform has been combined with Zonda’s expansive and proprietary new home construction data along with the innovative digital engagement solutions of Zonda Virtual to create a revolutionary, unmatched home listing platform.
“This is merely the beginning for Livabl,” said Justin LaJoie, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Livabl. “As we embark on providing the most comprehensive experience for new construction homes and condominiums throughout the nation. We are excited to strengthen our partnerships with builders throughout North America, to highlight their developments and offer a specialized shopping experience for new home and condominium buyers.”
Livabl operates under these three key tenets:
Always free to list for builders
No broker conflicts
A data-backed approach that emphasizes the benefits of purchasing a new home
“Our mission is to create the best home buying experience by offering the most innovative listing solutions, made exclusively for builders,” said Jeff Meyers, CEO of Zonda.
Together with Zonda Virtual’s innovative technology of interactive floor plans, digital site maps, 3D and virtual reality home renderings, and sales engagement software, the launch of Livabl brings to life Zonda’s vision to lead the digital revolution of home buying.
“The new home shopping journey has long been fragmented,” added LaJoie. “We are thrilled to unify all builders on a single platform, specifically designed for new home buyers.”
About Zonda
Zonda provides data-driven housing market solutions to the homebuilding industry. From builders to building product manufacturers, mortgage clients, and multifamily executives, we work hand-in-hand with our customers to streamline access to housing data to empower smarter decisions. As a leading brand in residential construction, our mission is to advance the home building industry, because we believe better homes mean better lives and stronger communities. Together, we are building the future of housing.
About Livabl
Livabl is North America’s most comprehensive and accurate listing platform, exclusively for new construction homes. Our free-to-list site is dedicated to helping builders showcase their homes and communities. We provide home buyers a clean, easy-to-use interface and innovative digital solutions optimized for the new home shopping experience. We make finding a new home easy.
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