Origination

The chamber passed a bill that would clarify how certain loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs are securitized, and legislation encouraging first-time homebuyers to participate in counseling programs.

A decline in refinancings led to a drop in mortgage application volume last week, even though purchase activity continues to rise, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The number of single-family homes sold on Oahu dropped 10.4% in June while condo sales fell 13.5% compared to the year before, the Honolulu Board of Realtors reported.

Total Kentucky home sales rose by 10% in May, according to the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors.

How the Trump administration can recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while remedying jilted private investors.

Lenders who employ a technology stack that tracks, collects and analyzes homebuyer behavior will have a distinct advantage as application volume rises.

After the government-sponsored enterprise patch expires, "near prime" loans over the 43% debt-to-income ratio should be qualified mortgages if they have compensating factors, according to the Center for Responsible Lending.

Stearns Holdings and certain subsidiaries have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a restructuring agreement that could reduce debt, increase Blackstone's stake in the company and preserve jobs.

With affordability still an issue despite falling interest rates and harnessed home value growth, lenders further loosened credit standards in June, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mandate for loan officers is to be able to inform on customers' specific financial needs in areas that extend well beyond the home loan.