Private mortgage insurers have friends in high places
House lawmakers with differing views on Fannie and Freddie ask SEC not to hinder a system that private mortgage insurers have used to transfer nearly $68B in risk since 2015
by Matt Carter May 26
Mortgage rate gap among lenders wider than previously understood
A homebuyer taking out a $300K loan could end up overpaying by $1,200 a year — and even more if they're in the market for a jumbo, FHA or VA mortgage, according to a new CFPB analysis
by Matt Carter May 26
RE/MAX's Motto Mortgage aims for 1,000 offices nationwide
Being named to Entrepreneur magazine's 2023 Franchise 500 list for the 4th year in a row puts some wind in the sails of the company's long-term goals
by Matt Carter May 25
Homebuyers flinch as mortgage rates ascend toward 2023 highs
Purchase loan applications fell by a seasonally adjusted 4% last week as mortgage rates surged on debt ceiling and inflation worries, according to a survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter May 24
Economist explains that controversial FHFA fee change
Opinion
There's been a lot of talk about the FHFA's fee increase, but this economist thinks that, for the most part, it's much ado about nothing
by Matthew Gardner May 24
WFG swoops in to acquire nearly two dozen Doma title locations
The struggling digital title and closing provider is set to receive up to $24.5M, with up to $14M in earnouts 'based on the retention of specified employees' by WFG
by Matt Carter May 23
Majority of buyers lean on agents, not banks, for financing info: Poll
A new survey conducted by Zillow suggests there are opportunities for real estate agents and companies that provide information and make lending more user friendly
by Jim Dalrymple II May 23
6 ways to beat the odds in a 'subdued' housing market
Opinion
There's always a way that agents can position themselves for changing market conditions, and brokers can facilitate that process
Rocket's new 1% down mortgage also picks up tab for PMI
A hypothetical buyer putting down $2,500 to purchase a $250,000 home could save $20,500 in private mortgage insurance payments over 7 years, lender estimates
by Matt Carter May 22
'Barely Legal': EasyKnock exec at war with Strokes bassist over yard
Julie de Pontbriand of EasyKnock and Nikolai Fraiture of The Strokes have been engaged in a legal battle over a coveted greenspace behind their adjacent properties since 2021
by Ben Verde May 22
Housing counseling agency sues its founder for alleged fraud
The National Asian American Coalition says only a small percentage of the counseling sessions it billed California $12M for were actually provided
by Matt Carter May 18
Republicans turn up heat on Fannie and Freddie mortgage fee flap
The Federal Housing Finance Agency has formally requested public feedback on what its goals and priorities should be in setting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's pricing structure
by Matt Carter May 17
Mortgage demand slips with homebuyers wary of rate volatility
Rise in mortgage rates defies expectations as unusually wide 'spread' between 10-year Treasury yields and mortgages reflects investor fears of another refi wave
by Matt Carter May 17
Wells Fargo agrees to pay $1B to settle shareholder lawsuit
Investors claimed they were misled about bank's progress in fixing governance and oversight issues that came to light in wake of 2016 'fake accounts' scandal
by Matt Carter May 17
Freddie Mac spotlights lenders for promoting affordable loans
UWM, Rocket Mortgage and Fairway were enthusiastic backers of Freddie Mac's Home Possible mortgage in 2022, which lets low-income homebuyers put as little as 3% down
by Matt Carter May 15
Encompass users gain access to title data with Flueid integration
ICE Mortgage Technology's popular loan origination system connected to Flueid Decision for underwriter-backed title clearance decisions on properties
by Matt Carter May 12