Origination

Both purchases and refinances contributed to the weekly surge, with growth in government-backed volumes outpacing the overall market, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Overall, U.S. home prices increased 5.4% in the year ending in November, CoreLogic's latest Home Price Index report found.

Analysis conducted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency found values coming in under contract price as often as 15% of the time in recent years, with appraisers failing to account for quickly changing market conditions.

Industry consolidation has resulted in fewer conventional and government loan programs being offered to consumers.

While several communities offer monetary incentives to attract new residents, some are making overtures with down payment and other types of assistance aimed at building up their local housing markets.

Gravy Technologies offers a consumer-facing app, along with a white-label service for mortgage lenders aimed at accelerating their marketing efforts.

Tracy Kasper's departure follows the November exit of former CEO Bob Goldberg.

December's shift in Federal Reserve policy gave a notable boost to the share of consumer respondents who think the affordability of home financing will improve.

Over one-quarter of consumers said they are open to making misstatements to get a house, while 60% gave an answer besides absolutely not when asked if they would follow advice to put in misleading information.

The warnings come as more than $1 trillion of multifamily debt is due to mature through 2028, potentially leading to increased defaults and losses for banks and bondholders.