Case-Shiller is a go-to source for prices — but know these blind spots
Repeat-sales models have been the gold standard in home-price tracking for decades. Intel examines what they miss, and what some data providers are doing to fill in the gaps
by Chris LeBarton Mar 11
New credit scores from FICO, VantageScore gaining traction
Lenders won't be required to use the more inclusive FICO Score 10T and VantageScore 4.0 scoring models before next year, but several are already using them to expand the pool of borrowers
by Matt Carter Feb 14
Fannie and Freddie 2024 loan limits upped to $766,550 in most areas
Surge in Q3 home prices pushes mortgage giants' conforming loan limits in high-cost housing markets to $1,149,825 for single-unit properties, and up to $2,211,600 for 4-unit properties
by Matt Carter Nov 28
Home prices climb higher for 7th straight month, led by Detroit
National home prices climbed 3.9% from a year earlier in September and were up 0.7% from the previous month. Detroit was the market with the highest price growth, followed by San Diego
by Ben Verde Nov 28
Despite high cost to finance, home prices hit new heights in August
Housing prices increased 0.4% between July and August and were up 2.6% on an annual basis, representing new highs in many markets
by Ben Verde Oct 31
VantageScore: New scoring model could qualify 4.9M extra borrowers
Company puts heat on regulators to stick to 2025 timetable for requiring lenders working with Fannie and Freddie to use VantageScore 4.0; delays would impact 'creditworthy people of color'
by Matt Carter Oct 30
TransUnion knocks plan to let lenders use 2 credit reports
The plan to move to a bi-merge process allowing lenders to use 2, instead of 3, credit reports was announced last October by FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator
by Matt Carter Oct 16
Rocket Mortgage now pricing loans of up to $750,000 as conforming
The move could help qualifying borrowers avoid taking out a jumbo mortgage at a higher rate as Rocket gets a jump on an expected increase in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's 2024 loan limits
by Matt Carter Oct 2
Home prices continue to rise, with no end in sight
US home prices climbed 0.6 percent between June and July and reported an annual increase of 1 percent, erasing earlier declines
by Ben Verde Sep 26
Investors who fund most home loans get new climate risk tool
ICE teams up with DeltaTerra Capital to translate physical climate risk estimates into financial risk assessments factoring in default risk, asset price depreciation and insurance costs
by Matt Carter Sep 19
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac boost profits in Q2 despite a slow spring
Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continued to grow their net worth as firm home prices and low default rates allowed them to release billions of dollars reserved for losses
by Matt Carter Aug 2
Home prices ticked up in April as market faced a mixed bag
One new figure shows home prices rose in April compared to March but fell year over year. Economists, however, are fairly upbeat
by Jim Dalrymple II Jun 27
Second month of home price gains could signal end to year of declines
US home prices rose 0.7% in March, notching a second-straight month of upticks while suggesting declines that began in 2022 may be winding down, according to data from CoreLogic and the FHFA
by Ben Verde May 30
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
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