Tech Pulse: AI for real estate teams; Tech Trendsetter shares insights

Welcome back to Tech Pulse — HousingWire‘s weekly series rounding up the latest in technology news, including tools, integrations and trends that impact mortgage and real estate.

Here’s what happened this week:

Can AI help real estate teams stand out or make them all look the same?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming real estate marketing and workflows, but agents are grappling with a delicate balance — harnessing AI for efficiency while maintaining the human touch that builds client trust. For leaders like Jeff Funk in Orlando and Michael Franco in New York City, the challenge isn’t whether to use AI — it’s how far to lean in without losing authenticity.

Tech that builds trust: Insights from Tech Trendsetter Simon Moir

As HousingWire opens its 2025 Tech Trendsetters nominations (closing Sept. 30), it caught up with 2022 honoree Simon Moir, vice president at Wolters Kluwer Banking Compliance Solutions. Moir reflects on AI’s transformative role, his passion for applied innovation, and the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership and technology.

DocMagic launches AI-powered platform to simplify mortgage production

DocMagic has launched DocMagic One, an AI-powered loan manufacturing platform that unifies document prep, compliance and collaboration in a single system. The platform offers predictive analytics, loan health scoring, and automated workflows to cut risk and costs — giving lenders streamlined processes, real-time insights and scalability without added complexity.

Pennymac announces equity stake, partnership with Vesta

Pennymac has taken a minority equity stake in Vesta Innovations, becoming the first major lender to go live on Vesta’s cloud-based loan origination system. The partnership aims to modernize mortgage applications, boost efficiency and enhance customer experience across Pennymac’s consumer direct, correspondent and third-party origination channels.

Fintech Aven raises $110M, expands into mortgage refinancing

Aven has raised $110 million in Series E funding, pushing its valuation to $2.2 billion and expanding into mortgage refinancing. The fintech, known for its HELOC-backed credit card, also added heavyweight advisers Lawrence Summers and Patrick McHenry as it builds a “machine banking” platform to cut borrowing costs for homeowners.

Assurant Lending Solutions unveils insurance verification tool HOIVerify Origination

Assurant has launched HOIVerify Origination, an API-enabled solution that automates insurance verification in the mortgage origination process. The platform cuts verification from days to just seven seconds, offering real-time policy data, multicarrier integration and compliance support. Pilot partners like Spring EQ say it creates a more frictionless borrower and lender experience.