Economy

New specifications for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's common mortgage application unveiled Tuesday add data points and remove obsolete questions, as well as include additional capabilities to promote digital mortgage workflows.

Existing and prospective homeowners are split about which presidential candidate is better for real estate.

Purchases of new homes unexpectedly jumped in July to the highest level in almost nine years, led by soaring demand in the nation's South and adding to signs of persistent housing-market strength.

Daniel Mudd ended a five-year fight with the U.S. government Monday after the former head of Fannie Mae agreed to pay $100,000 to settle allegations that he misled investors about the mortgage backer’s exposure to subprime loans during the run-up to the financial crisis.

As the volume of maturing commercial mortgages has spiked, so has the number of loans transferred to special servicing when they fail to pay off.

The market for existing home sales moved closer to its full potential in July, according to First American Financial Corp.

Nationwide, new home construction isn't keeping up with rising prices and demand. But in certain areas of the Southwest and Southeast, builders are bucking this trend, creating housing supply that is more flexible to market fluctuations.

The president and founder of a now-defunct Massachusetts-based mortgage company was charged with defrauding Ginnie Mae to the tune of $3 million.

The first commercial mortgage-backed security to comply with "skin in the game" requirements was extremely well received. Market participants credit the way the large banks sponsoring the deal retained the risk – a strategy unavailable to nonbank lenders.

Mortgage rates edged downward this week as the market anticipated Wednesday's release of the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's July meeting, Freddie Mac reported.

United Bankshares in Charleston, W.Va., has agreed to buy Cardinal Financial in Tysons Corner, Va.

The hole at the corner of 15th and L streets, in downtown Washington, is deep – and getting deeper.

Macy's decision to shutter another 100 of its department stores could impair some $3.64 billion of securitized commercial mortgages, according to Morningstar Credit Ratings.

The impressive loan growth in the second quarter is surprising in an economy that grew by 1.2% in the second quarter and by only 0.8% in the first quarter.

Online lender LoanDepot has raised $150 million in term debt financing as part of its capital strategy.

Existing home sales and median home prices dipped in July, reflecting the impact of declining affordability, according to the California Association of Realtors.

Appraisal management company Accurate Group is looking to expand its nationwide appraiser network.

Fannie Mae is prepping servicers to handle the issues homeowners may face in the wake of severe flooding across Louisiana.

Home construction unexpectedly accelerated in July to the fastest pace in five months, indicating the housing industry remains an area of support for the economy.

American International Group. agreed to sell mortgage insurer United Guaranty Corp. to Arch Capital Group as Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock works to simplify his company and free up capital to return to shareholders.