Mortgages

There was an increase in total mortgage defaults during the fourth quarter but that rise has to be measured in context of what had been a favorable environment prior to the third-quarter storms.

Communication between all parties in the chain, from borrower through guarantor, is the best way to minimize mortgage losses after events like last year’s hurricanes and wildfires, according to servicers and federal officials.

A Bridgeport, Conn., local debt collection lawyer, embroiled in a controversy over the city's foreclosure on homeowners owing back sewer bills, is being sued by a local homeowner who claims he was the victim of an illegal foreclosure.

Walter Investment Management Corp. plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and start trading again under a new name in a matter of days.

Mortgage rates hit their highest mark since December 2016 as bond yields were affected by the roller coaster stock market, according to Freddie Mac.

The legislation, a similar version of which passed in the last Congress, would give favorable regulatory treatment to certain loans even if real estate-related fees were paid to an affiliate of the lender.

The Colorado Springs-area housing market roared out of the gate in the new year, as strong demand and a historically low supply of homes combined to send sale prices soaring to record highs.

Efforts to move out of the Bay Area continued in recent months, with 16,000 residents packing up and taking to the road for cheaper housing and new opportunities.

Nine lenders have been warned by the U.S. that they will be kicked out of a top mortgage program within months unless they find ways to stop costly rapid refinances of veterans' loans.

Here's a look at 12 cities where home prices are high, but local market conditions make them surprisingly affordable.

If recent corporate expansions at GE, Google and Toyota are any indication, the city that lands Amazon's second headquarters should expect widespread real estate speculation and unrealistic home price expectations that will strain affordability and make it difficult for mortgage lenders to qualify borrowers.

Major corporate relocations can be a mixed blessing for housing markets. Here's a snapshot of local real estate conditions in the 20 cities vying for the Amazon HQ2 second headquarters.

As conservator, FHFA Director Mel Watt has substantial leeway to remake the government-sponsored enterprises without congressional input. Here's one way he might do so.

Warburg Pincus has agreed to buy a majority stake in a mortgage and consumer loan origination and servicing platform owned by Fiserv.

Mortgage servicers should approach efforts to overhaul their compensated structure with caution, as changes to the status quo "could have ripple effects across the entire real estate finance industry," warned Mortgage Bankers Association Chairman David Motley.

From insights about borrower payment preferences to new automation assisting with natural disaster recovery efforts, here's a roundup of news coming out of the Mortgage Bankers Association Servicing Conference.

Even as rates hit their highest levels in nearly four years, mortgage application volume increased compared with one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Detroit's residential property values have risen for the first time in at least 17 years, with nearly 60% of residents seeing their 2018 assessments increase.

Housing sales in the Chattanooga area continued their eight-year climb last year, rising to another record high in 2017 even with higher home prices and fewer houses for sale.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Financial Stability Oversight Council will propose SIFI criteria before executing changes, and provided comments about the Volcker Rule, Orderly Liquidation Authority and housing finance.