Equifax Earnings Exceed Expectations as Mortgage Inquiries Hold Steady
Equifax beat Wall Street expectations for Q1 earnings, thanks to a surprisingly resilient mortgage segment and increased adoption of its automation tools.
Key takeaways:
- Mortgage credit inquiries declined just 9% year-over-year, beating internal forecasts of a 13% drop.
- Adjusted earnings hit $1.53 per share, well above analyst expectations of $1.40.
- Equifax announced a $3 billion stock buyback, reinforcing its long-term market confidence.
CEO Mark Begor acknowledged macro uncertainty—including interest rate sensitivity and tighter lending standards—but noted growth in home equity lending, employment verification demand, and digital mortgage tools.
For loan officers, this is a signal that mortgage activity is stabilizing, especially in the tech-enabled space. It’s time to lean into efficient workflows and get ready for potential volume rebounds later this year.
Industry Experts Warn Against Rise in Off-MLS and Private Listings
Real estate data expert Mike Simonsen is warning that the growing use of off-MLS and private listings is reversing decades of progress in market transparency.
In a recent podcast appearance, Simonsen shared:
- Office-exclusive and private-network listings are on the rise, especially among larger firms.
- This trend is “bad for buyers and bad for data,” limiting visibility and weakening negotiating power.
- Listings are slowly climbing, and we could see pre-pandemic inventory levels by late 2025—but only if homes are publicly listed and discoverable.
For LOs, this is a powerful reminder: buyers need expert agents more than ever—and mortgage professionals who can help them navigate a market where not everything is on Zillow.
Price Cuts Are Climbing, but It’s Not a Buyer’s Market Yet
A new report from Barron’s shows that while price reductions are rising, affordability and buyer confidence remain stubbornly low.
What’s happening:
- 24% of listings saw price cuts in March—the highest rate for that month since 2018.
- Inventory is up 19% year-over-year, and listings are sitting longer, but demand remains tempered.
- ARMs are making a comeback, now representing about 10% of mortgage applications as borrowers seek lower monthly payments in a high-rate environment.
Despite these shifts, median prices are still about 3% higher year-over-year, and many buyers are waiting for greater price relief or rate drops that may not materialize soon.
Why it matters: Now is a crucial time to guide clients through payment strategies—temporary buydowns, ARMs, or seller concessions—to unlock affordability without waiting for the “perfect” market.
Real Estate-Related Stock Performance (as of Tuesday, April 22, 2025)
- Equifax Inc. (EFX): $252.41 ▲ 2.1%
- Zillow Group (ZG): $62.23 ▲ 0.4%
- Redfin Corp (RDFN): $10.15 ▲ 0.7%
- Rocket Companies (RKT): $12.72 ▼ 0.2%
- United Wholesale Mortgage (UWMC): $4.63 ▼ 0.4%
- Lennar Corp (LEN): $105.42 ▲ 0.3%
- D.R. Horton (DHI): $119.96 ▲ 0.5%
Investors reacted positively to Equifax’s earnings and tech-driven mortgage positioning, while builder stocks held steady as spring demand expectations remain cautiously optimistic.
Loan Officer’s Perspective: Tuesday – Focus on Active Transactions
It’s Tuesday, and that means your mission is simple: manage and move your pipeline forward.
If you’re on top of your files and your partners know it, referrals follow.
Not sure on how to capitalize on your Tuesday calls? Not sure who to call or what to say? Did you know that our Tuesday update calls are what most of the top producing loan officers at Mortgage Marketing Animals say moves the needle the most?
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