Mortgages

Government-guaranteed securitization rules complicate servicing sales and are a growing problem for nonbanks, the Community Home Lenders of America says.

Developers "need those cuts badly" because many projects are financed at floating rates, Jorge Perez, founder and chief executive officer of Related Group, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television.

Pressure on core home improvement categories won't "be completely eased until the housing market is back on much firmer footing, which will not be until well into 2025 at the earliest," wrote Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData, in a note.

In 2022, 52% of the U.S. population lived in families that are unable to "pay for all the goods and services necessary to fully participate in today's economy and society without cutting back, as well as save money for emergencies and the future," the study found.

Litigation filed by the company points to a total of $30 million losses that have yet to be covered by its insurance partners, including Berkshire Hathaway.

Housing starts decreased 3.1% last month to a 1.31 million annualized rate, reflecting a steep decline in the South, according to government data released Tuesday.

The region of Manchester-Nashua, New Hampshire, has homes on the market for a median of 23 days and an average home price of $550,000.

Homeowners in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy have already seen growth in their property values lag behind the national median.

Those born between 1997 and 2012 will go from making up a scant 6% of today's market to a 25% share by 2028, and mortgage lenders need to be ready to serve them.

Some lenders are once again hiring mortgage lenders, but memories of the painful staffing cuts they were forced to make over the past two years remain top of mind.

Confidence among U.S. homebuilders advanced to a seven-month high in November on a jump in sales expectations and optimism a Trump administration will ease regulatory burdens.

In October's mortgage roundup, learn more about Fairway's legal battles over redlining and overtime shortcomings, the Federal Housing Finance Agency's updates to rules on appraisals and waiver access and more.

The Federal Housing Administration reported a 96 basis point increase in its capital ratio for fiscal year 2023, and lenders want more changes to the program.

Homeowners in recent years strayed from cash-out refinances and home equity loans despite their greater financing power.

Private-label securitization volume increased 75% this year versus 2023; conditions are right for that to continue, KBRA said.

Mortgage rates have stopped the run of increases following the September Fed meeting but consumers are not likely to notice.

Lower rates during the period helped independent mortgage bankers make money on their originations but they posted losses on servicing.

Freedom Mortgage CEO Stan Middleman weighs in on the Fed, servicing policy, and broker-to-banker moves as he comments on challenging career experiences in his new biography.

New Mexico is the state least wanting to refinance, with 369.38 keyword searches per 100,000 people.