Mortgages

Many states currently have temporary work-from-home guidance for licensed mortgage professionals that extends through at least Dec. 31, but some have fall expiration dates.

High-end home sales fueled the market in August while inventory fell to its lowest level in five years, culminating in one of the busiest summers ever for Houston housing.

Only 18% of refinance borrowers returned to the same lender in the second quarter, the second lowest rate since 2005.

Also the Federal Housing Administration, which is a key contributor of government-insured loans to Ginnie securitizations, recently set new conditions on mortgage applicants that have been in forbearance.

For both homeowners and renters, Philadelphia is a relatively affordable city with low housing costs when compared with other big cities, but Philadelphia's high poverty rate makes the city more expensive for its residents, especially renters.

Plus: mortgage credit availability hits 6-year-low and Ellie Mae and ICE Mortgage change leadership

Even though second-quarter originations were nearly double the same period in 2019, most were refinancings, which generate less revenue for title companies.

Jonathan Corr's departure from the nation's largest loan origination system company follows the completion of its sale to Intercontinental Exchange.

The guidelines are somewhat similar to those the Federal Housing Finance Agency established for the government-sponsored enterprise market in response to the high number of loans impacted by coronavirus-related hardships.

While still greatly trailing year-ago numbers, mortgage foreclosure activity jumped in August from July as moratorium restrictions started lifting and courthouses reopened, according to Attom Data Solutions.

The GSEs began sharing their risk with the private market in new ways during conservatorship, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s proposed capital framework currently discourages the use of those strategies. Industry leaders voiced concerns in a FHFA listening session this week.

The Spokane County, Wash., housing market continues to show resilience during the coronavirus pandemic as the median closing price skyrocketed to a record-breaking $317,000 in August.

From an increased interest in outdoor space to a need for a dedicated home office, the pandemic has created new drivers for refinancing, moving and other housing decisions, TD Bank found.

Albuquerque, N.M., area home prices continued to rise in August, driven in part by a spike in demand for luxury homes.

That, along with continued high refinance volume over the next three months, keeps originators' profit forecasts elevated, Fannie Mae said.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Sept. 11.

The post was vacant since Kristy Fercho left to run Wells Fargo Home Loans in July.

Uncertainties in the job market drove mortgage credit availability down again, falling to the lowest point since March 2014, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage rates fell 7 basis points this week to yet another record low in the 49-year history of the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, as stock market indicators sank during the period.

Some of the cures were the result of short-term remedies and could reverse as relief measures end.