Originations

Home-price gains in the U.S. slowed in July as still-high mortgage rates kept would-be buyers on the sidelines while inventory piled up.

Originators are wary of fading rates heating up home prices and reducing inventory for prospective buyers.

While the lock-in effect on existing supply has helped drive consumer interest in new construction, first-time buyers have been taking a greater share of that inventory.

MV Realty has offered real-estate contracts that call for consumers to trade upfront cash for long-term home sale restrictions, potentially hampering mortgages.

The addition of the software under its brand will help the company better serve smaller lenders as it seeks market share, company leaders said in an interview with National Mortgage News.

While housing demand remains strained, national home price appreciation continued to make more room for buyers in August, according to First American.

A Senate budget bill includes language regulating the use of mortgage trigger leads, legislation that much of the industry supports.

While still historically low, some of the changes in the first quarter appeared "troubling" and warranted extra scrutiny, according to Aces Quality Management.

As home prices rise, leading to larger transaction amounts, Certifid doubled the amount of wire fraud insurance coverage provided for transfers it vets.

While the Freddie Mac survey found the 30-year fixed fell 11 basis points, other indicators, including the 10-year Treasury yield, have all increased.

Contract closings decreased 2.5% from a month earlier to a 3.86 million annualized rate, according to figures released Thursday from the National Association of Realtors.

OceanFirst's own press release points out the federal government has obtained $120 million in relief in similar cases since 2021.

Short-term rate cuts often don't immediately translate to lower financing costs for 30-year home loans, and there are some unique circumstances this time.

The industry leader is the third wholesale competitor to allow larger mortgages months ahead of the government's official announcement.

Fannie Mae's economists are pessimistic about the future for existing home sales, reducing its purchase volume outlook in both 2024 and 2025.

U.S. housing starts bounced back in August after tumbling a month earlier, illustrating uneven residential construction as builders weigh inventory levels against brighter demand prospects tied to falling borrowing costs.

Refinance activity is up 127% year-over-year as interest rates dipped closer to 6%.

A blog post from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cited data from the pandemic refi boom to show Blacks and Hispanics had limited opportunity to drop their interest rate.

Confidence among U.S. home builders rose in September for the first time in six months, just before the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates from the current two-decade high.

The government will also begin allowing mortgage default insurance on homes worth up to C$1.5 million ($1.1 million), an increase from the current cap of C$1 million.