Best Ex, Equity, Servicing, AI, Valuation Tools; Job Market's Mixed Signals; Purchase Market Dragging?

If you’re hoping that the summer is going to bring a trend of purchase market prosperity, I hope you’re right but there are indications otherwise. Rocket Companies’ CEO reported its highest profit in four years, but CEO Varun Krishna told investors that the company’s real-time data shows the spring homebuying season is not delivering the volume increase that historical patterns would suggest. The cost of war, oil prices, and homebuyer psychology are heavy (let’s hope temporary) weights. And Optimal Blue’s latest Market Advantage report finds mortgage lock activity cooling in April after a strong first quarter. Total rate-lock volume declined 9 percent month over month (though it was up 11 percent on a year-over-year basis). Purchase demand was down about 2 percent in March but up more than 9 percent from April 2025. (Refinance activity cooled more sharply, easing refi share of total production to just 23 percent.) (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s ‘casts are sponsored by nCino, and its Mortgage Suite that supports a modern homeownership journey. One of the major themes emerging from nSight 2026 this week is how lenders can move beyond traditional workflows through AI, intelligent automation, and connected lending experiences. Hear an interview with Truework’s Ethan Winchell on how rising income volatility is reshaping homebuyer eligibility and what lenders must do to adapt to a more complex and less predictable income landscape.) Lender and Broker Products, Software, and Services