Origination

A few years ago, a growing number of voices were asking whether there was still a need for FHA, or if the private market could fully absorb its functions. MBA never wavered in its support for the critical mission FHA performs and the last few years have underscored this point many times over.

It is amazing how often respected employees are considered above reproach and not confronted regarding their inappropriate behavior. We are quick to forgive them their legal or ethical indiscretions because they have earned our respect through their otherwise upright actions.

After months of rumors, Wells Fargo & Co. — the nation's largest originator of reverse mortgages — made it official confirming that it is leaving the sector, but will remain as a servicer.

The average rate for a 30-year FRM inched up one basis point to 4.5% after eight weeks of consecutive declines, according to Freddie Mac's closely watched survey.

Mortgages Services III, Bloomington, Ill., this week confirmed that it purchased Pinnacle Home Mortgage, an Illinois mortgage brokerage shop with seven full-time loan officers.

For the first time since the housing market collapsed in South Florida, less than 50,000 residential properties are listed for sale.

Home sales in the Golden State fell 6% in May from the prior month with the California Association of Realtors blaming tightened financing conditions and the weak economy for the decline.

The financial bloodbath that could have occurred in the commercial real estate market will be averted as long as federal regulators continue their look-the-other-way policy when it comes to lenders and their troubled borrowers, the head of a San Diego workout firm told a group of real estate journalists in San Antonio.

Virtually all of the mortgage industry marketing experts agree that producers need to have a viable social media strategy to be successful going forward. That is because the consumers are looking for one.

Housing starts rose 3.5% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000 units, retracing almost half of April's steep decline, according to figures released by the Commerce Department.