Mortgages

Houston's feverish housing market is poised for another record year as low mortgage rates, population growth and a relatively healthy economy fuel sales throughout the region.

While the housing market countrywide is expected to cool in 2020, the Chattanooga area is set to sizzle as the fourth best metro area in the country, a new ranking shows.

From the Southeast to the Midwestern plains, here's a look at the 12 cities where first-time homebuyers can afford the largest share of houses for sale, according to First American.

Mortgage lenders became slightly bearish on their profitability outlook in the fourth quarter, with the competitive landscape and shift to a purchase market cited as the main concerns, according to Fannie Mae.

The percentage of home loans with late payments is unlikely to fall much further in 2020 when mortgages made to lower credit-score borrowers could rise slightly, according to TransUnion.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Dec. 13.

Mortgage rates rose slightly with a stronger-than-expected jobs report starting the week and the Federal Open Market Committee decision to hold the line on short-term rates ending it, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage application activity increased 3.8% from one week earlier, with refinance volume for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans taking the spotlight, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Florida-based depository Capital City Bank has struck a deal to purchase a 51% share in regional lender BrandMortgage.

Hometap, a fintech company providing an alternative to traditional home equity lending, secured $100 million in new financing as it looks to expand its geographic reach.

President Trump lets his thoughts be known through Twitter and those tweets can have a direct impact on the economy and interest rates, according to Clever Real Estate.

Mortgage lenders are increasingly introducing new loan programs outside of typical underwriting parameters in line with indicators suggesting that the availability of credit in the housing finance market is growing.

The prequalification letter is a great way to move borrowers from casual tire kickers to committed applicants, but advances in digital verification will soon make it obsolete.

The housing market is likely changing to predominantly repeat purchasers, even as growth in the first-timer buyer segment continued in the third quarter, a study from Genworth found.

General Motors is providing $40 million in seller financing to the purchaser of its Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant.

The share of Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed loans in Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities issuance rose to 42% in the most recent fiscal year from almost 39%, and could continue to rise.

With more consumers believing it’s a great time to buy a home, the Home Purchase Sentiment Index had its best November since the index's release in 2011, according to Fannie Mae.

More than half of the third quarter refinance activity was the cash-out variety, with borrowers removing the most total equity from their homes in nearly 12 years, according to Black Knight.

The U.S. Trustee overseeing the bankruptcy filing by Ditech is objecting to certain fees and expenses sought by Weil, Gotshal & Manges, among others.

The company will hold off on making loans under the Advantage Loan program as it conducts an audit and implements new policies and procedures.