Down payments set shrinking course for 1st time in 2 years
Down payments are declining as home prices are rising because buyers are facing affordability challenges or opting to reserve more of their cash because of economic uncertainty, Redfin said
by Lillian Dickerson Jun 16
UWM brings back 1% down conventional mortgage program
Nation's largest lender reboots 1% down loans that cover up to $7K of the homebuyer's down payment when financing a purchase with a loan backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Jun 11
Record down payments reveal a divided housing market
According to a new report from Realtor.com, the national average down payment hit 14.4% and $30,250 in Q4. The biggest gains came from the Northeast and Midwest
by Richelle Hammiel Apr 9
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's net worths climb past $154B
While plans to privatize the mortgage giants are on the back burner, Trump administration may impose limits on how much support the mortgage giants can provide to riskier borrowers
by Matt Carter Feb 14
First-time buyer savings platform Foyer raises $6.2M
Contributing investors included Alpaca VC, Hometeam, Animo Ventures and ResilienceVC. Funds will help Foyer invest in consumer confidence, savings and education, said founder Landy Liu
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 28
SoCal law enforcement personnel offered 0-down home loans
Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU) expands its service area and membership base to include municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies in 10 counties
by Matt Carter Dec 10
Median down payment slides $2,400 as affordability improves
Moderating mortgage rates and lessening buyer competition have pushed the US median down payment down 7.33% over the past year, according to data released Tuesday by Realtor.com
by Marian McPherson Oct 22
Mortgage payments cheaper than rent in nearly half of all US metros
Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest levels since 2023 in 22 of the 50 largest US metros — even as rent prices continue to rise, according to a new analysis from Zillow released on Monday
by Richelle Hammiel Sep 17
US homebuyer down payments reach new record, outpace prices
In June, the median down payment soared to a record $67,500, a 14.8% increase from $58,788 the previous year, according to a Redfin analysis
by Richelle Hammiel Aug 28
Private mortgage insurers again losing market share to FHA, VA
FHA premium cuts spur growth, but borrowers with stellar credit can still do better taking out conventional Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-eligible mortgages with private mortgage insurance
by Matt Carter Jul 30
Knock integrating bridge loans into partners' prequal processes
NFM Lending is the first to take advantage of Knock API integrations, which let loan officers know if homebuyers can tap the equity in their existing home and buy before they sell
by Matt Carter Jun 20
UWM's 0-down loans a hit with buyers, worry consumer advocates
Unlike subprime loans that were subjected to minimal underwriting standards in the runup to the 2007 housing crash, new 0-down loans meet criteria set by mortgage giant Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Jun 4
More and more renters believe they will never own a home
Thirty-eight percent of renters don't believe they will ever own a home — up from 27 percent less than a year ago, according to Redfin
by Ben Verde Apr 12
Nepo Babies grow up as data points to new phenomenon: Nepo Buyers
36% of Gen Zers and millennials who plan to buy a home in the near future intend to use a cash gift from family to contribute to a down payment, according to data from Redfin released Wednesday
by Lillian Dickerson Mar 27
5 tips for shepherding clients through mortgage challenges
Buyer demand is still robust, but affordability challenges can make it harder for clients to qualify for financing, Luke Babich writes. Here's how to help
by Luke Babich Feb 26