Mortgages

Deferrals are up but still haven't outpaced loan modifications in conservatorship-era foreclosure prevention, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Potential home buyers may be holding back in anticipation of lower rates to come in the second half of the year, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

UWM kicked off the new year as the number one lender in the U.S. in overall and wholesale production as well as purchase mortgage originations, but it has not been all smooth sailing.

Despite pressure from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the embattled Appraisal Foundation tapped its longtime second-in-command to be its next president.

A series of changes to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act go into effect on March 26 that closes the so-called "lead generation loophole" for telemarketing calls and texts.

But home prices declined from December, both the Federal Housing Finance Agency and S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller found, a possible precursor to a cooling market.

As part of the settlement, Loandepot will beef up its appraisal policies and practices, it announced.

What recent patterns in FHA delinquencies, distressed loan outcomes, foreclosures and the rates at which loans are prepaying or underwater can reveal about where the market is headed.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage, the movements of which have been volatile in recent weeks, is expected to stay in the range of 6.5% for the first half of the year before trending down, Freddie Mac said.

Changes resulting from a recent case settled by the National Association of Realtors could encourage sellers to negotiate lower commissions. But the industry is rife with speculation that agents will find ways to discuss commission splits through other methods.