Origination

The oft-delayed sale of Genworth Financial might need new approvals from U.S. insurance regulators if and when it disposes of its Canadian mortgage insurance stake.

Freddie Mac continues to churn out steady financial returns, with the growth in first-time home buyers and credit risk transfers providing the GSE stable footing when a recession comes, according to new CEO David Brickman.

For months, Seattle-area home prices have been teetering between growth and decline.

Purchase mortgage applications continue to decline, falling to their lowest level since the start of the spring, as supply constraints limit homebuyer activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Despite today's high tech salaries, two-income households, and a swelling economy, the current generation of Bay Area residents spends much more of their income to buy a house compared to their parents and grandparents.

In the constant search for metro areas offering affordability and purchasing power, consumers abscond exorbitantly priced big cities in favor of alternative locales further inland.

The Delaware company, best known for issuing prepaid cards, has ramped up commercial real estate securitizations. The shift promises to deliver big fees, but it could also cause headaches if defaults spike.

New Residential Investment Corp. took a $32 million net loss in the second quarter as it diversified its business lines and repositioned to protect its mortgage servicing rights from falling rates.

Any growth in housing starts and home sales in the second half of 2019 will be muted by continuing inventory constraints and rising home prices, according to Freddie Mac.

Low mortgage rates and thriving employment should be the recipe for a strong housing market. Instead, they're deepening America's affordability crisis.