Liars will go to great lengths to deny wrongdoing. So what do you do when someone claims innocence, yet your suspicions remain? That's what one Freddie Mac Single-Family Fraud Risk (SFFR) investigator experienced in a case in which the denials were so convincing, the perpetrator got away with the crime. But not for long. Read the summary report to find out more.
Mortgage rates have increased from 3% in early 2022 to more than 7% in November 2023, more than doubling in the past year. As rates rise, the pool of homebuyers who would qualify for the current average loan decreases notably. But at what point do higher rates become too high for consumers? Learn more from a recent Freddie Mac analysis.
When ServiceLink asked borrowers to name the biggest benefit of technology in the homebuying process, 72% said convenience and ease-of-use. Borrowers are also happy to self-service and interact digitally. And as Millennials and Gen Z enter their homebuying years, technology becomes even more important.
For today and tomorrow's borrowers, the traditional mortgage experience falls far short of expectations. There are multiple documents to sign—some in-person—and lots of waiting. And waiting. And borrowers often have no idea where their application is in the lender's pipeline or if they'll have to fulfill any last-minute requests.
It has been widely reported that the housing market is in a recession. Though prices remain high, sales of existing homes were down 30% as of August 2022, as were sales of new homes. Historically, housing declines are harbingers for recessions, but is a recession imminent this time?
More than half of homes in the U.S. are at least 20 years old and likely in need of upgrades. According to a recent Freddie Mac survey of potential renovators and homebuyers, although most hold positive attitudes toward renovating, financial cost, emotional barriers and a lack of knowledge about financing options can be significant obstacles. Lenders have an opportunity to provide more resources on the value of renovating as well as financing options such as renovation mortgages. Read more.
Rising interest rates and recession fears have created a challenging market environment for lending, making it hard to predict where the mortgage markets will trend.