Origination

While August's views on buying conditions and rates increased over July, the other components in Fannie Mae's sentiment index all declined, driving it lower.

Black homeownership fell to 43.9% this summer, its lowest since 2021, as rising unemployment and federal layoffs widened housing gaps across demographics.

Premiums for property insurance have risen over 69% since 2019, far outpacing other components of the monthly mortgage payment, ICE Mortgage Technology found.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a packed agenda centered on rewriting rules ranging from small business lending to open banking while rescinding several rules finalized under the Biden Administration last year.

The Homeowners Privacy Protection Act will go into effect next March 5, after a years' long effort by the mortgage industry to bar the marketing tactic.

Mortgage delinquency rates increased versus the second quarter of 2024, with certain markets, especially in the South, reporting higher levels of difficulty.

More borrowers who locked their loans with higher financing costs could refinance and buyers may come in at the margin, former Fannie Mae economist said.

Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made similar changes to their policy when it comes to disclosures and retention rules for an appeal of a valuation.

The 30-year conforming fixed rate mortgage ended this week at its lowest since last Oct. 17, helped by bond traders pricing in a reduction in short-term rates.

Small lenders are turning to local sponsorships, social media, education and word-of-mouth to compete with big banks' massive marketing budgets.