Mortgages

A report by Black Knight shows still-increasing home prices, which is bad news for prospective buyers, but good news for existing homeowners, who are gaining equity.

Profit in the first half of the year at the 11 Home Loan banks already exceeds 2022's total.

A shortage of listings has pushed up prices, boosting the total value of US homes to a record $47 trillion, Redfin reported. 

Repossessions registered both monthly and annual increases, though, according to Attom.

The company is rolling out a special-purpose credit program to help address what it describes as "the biggest barriers to achieving homeownership." Such programs are gaining popularity among banks.

The privately held company added a retail branch network and a $10 billion servicing portfolio — and is looking for more.

The markets had a full week to absorb Fitch Ratings' U.S. downgrade, but today's inflation news could cause some near-term volatility.

Volumes dropped below 900,000 in the first three months this year, while the cumulative loan balance nationwide also declined on a quarterly basis for the first time since 2015.

While policymakers have warned lenders they will be on the lookout for potential fair lending violations, the lack of current rules means many companies are trying to determine best practices on their own.

The company, which recently divested in the forward mortgage business and sold off its title services unit, reported a $222.5 million loss.

But its operating income missed estimates with servicing income and gain-on-sale margins coming in lower than expected.

The lender and servicer posted its highest pull-through weighted gain-on-sale margin in almost two years while recording modest production growth.

The news helped drive 30-year mortgage averages above 7% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

HPC and the MBA called on John Bell, executive director at the agency, to disclose a blueprint of the VASP program and allow for a 30-day commentary period.

One in eight appraisal-related fees are covered by lenders, a survey conducted by Stratmor Group found.

Product availability for July remained at levels last seen in 2013 as rates briefly broke above the 7% mark during the month, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

The Agency, a brokerage with a leading role in a Netflix show, names New American Funding their preferred mortgage provider, stripping that title away from CrossCountry Mortgage.

The cohort is outperforming the broader market — up more than 50% year-to-date versus the S&P 500's 18% gain. 

Denver-based Proprietary Capital, who offers a platform for institutional investors seeking returns from mortgage-related assets, agreed to purchase the New Jersey-based lender as it seeks to increase the number of opportunities it offers.

The real estate investment trust declined to comment on its bid to buy Western Asset Mortgage Capital, a company that received a sweetened competing offer from Terra Property Trust last week.