Originations

Better's new COO Chad Smith, a seasoned veteran in home lending, discusses the strategies of the savviest mortgage professionals operating today and how his company is evolving in an unpredictable market.

May's falling interest rates as well as ongoing wage growth helped improve home affordability across borrowing segments and racial groups, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

A gauge of contract signings from the National Association of Realtors decreased 2.1% to 70.8 last month, the lowest reading in data going back to 2001, the group said Thursday.

But economists seem to differ on what the latest movement in mortgage rates means for the summer home sales business.

Across the country over the past two years, the share of homes affordable to a first-time home buyer has fallen to 29% from 34% in 1Q23 and 45% in 1Q22, First American Financial said.

Almost two-thirds of those aged 55 or over said they are sentimental about the house they have occupied long-term.

Borrowers in the government-purchase market returned to the table in greater numbers, as rates declined, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

A tough mortgage market has pushed some lenders to shed their middle management as a way to cut costs. This has ignited debate around what value regional and divisional managers bring to the table.

The increase in total home sales will be slower than prior projections and that should lead to less growth in purchase originations, Fannie Mae's June forecast said.

The overall critical defect rate trickled down to 1.53% in the fourth quarter of last year, according to Aces Quality Management.

Title insurers did nearly $3.4 billion in premiums during the first quarter, similar to 2023, even though mortgage dollar origination volume was up over 13%.

The decline for the third consecutive week reflects investors' belief that the Federal Open Market Committee is likely to cut rates this year.

The company says consumer interest has been "fantastic", although it's not disclosing application figures nor how much money it's set aside to fund the offering.

Activity grew at a slower pace from seven days earlier, as refinance volume retreated, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The agency is giving funds to 23 providers in 15 states and the District of Columbia.

The partnership between personal finance platform Esusu and the National Rental Home Council has several of the trade group's members delivering payment data. They say that has helped result in over 85,000 originations across lending segments.

As mortgage originations have declined, those looking to cash in their chips and get out of the game are helping others grow market share, serving to change up the dynamics within the field.

A decline in interest rates during the first quarter drove a Freddie Mac indicator higher for the first time since mid-2023, while a leading investment firm announced a deal aimed at boosting originations for government-sponsored enterprise financing.

The term is open to interpretation and may refer to a broad range of real-estate finance activity. An "independent mortgage banker" has a narrower definition.