Refinance

With refinancing coming in a little stronger than expected and underwriting loosening, Fannie Mae has slightly increased its forecast for total volume in 2017.

PHH Corp. completed the sale of its Freddie Mac mortgage servicing rights portfolio to New Residential Corp. for $102 million, but the sale of the Fannie Mae MSRs will take place in the third quarter.

Mortgage applications increased 2.8% from one week earlier as refinancings hit their highest level since November, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Lower rates led to an increase in both purchase and refinance applications compared with the previous week. according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Production expenses averaged $8,887 per loan for independent mortgage bankers in the first quarter as there were fewer originations to absorb the costs.

From pockets of growth in a shrinking refi market to the possibility of REITs buying agency risk-sharing securities, here's a look at recent market shifts that major industry players are focused on right now.

Lower credit scores for mortgages refinanced in the first quarter are likely to lead to increased defaults of these loans, said Black Knight Financial Services.

Defects and misrepresentations on mortgage applications rose for the fifth consecutive month in April, with increases for both purchase and refinance loans.

A real estate investment fund controlled by the Blackstone Group is tapping the commercial mortgage bond market to refinance a portfolio of life science, laboratory and medical properties.

Application volume decreased 3.4% from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.