The biggest mortgage, lending and housing finance stories of 2022
The industry dodged a meltdown, but skyrocketing mortgage rates fueled a rush to 'right size' and helped crown a new leader in mortgage lending
by Matt Carter Dec 28
Bah humbug! Mortgage rates fall, but holidays curtail buyer demand
It's a slow time of year for homebuying, so it's not surprising to Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni that purchase applications didn't jump last week
by Matt Carter Dec 21
Homebuyers have appetite for down payment assistance info, Zillow says
Zillow revealed Thursday that 1M users have queried its Down Payment Resource database since the real estate search portal partnered with the data provider a year ago as home prices soared
by Matt Carter Dec 15
Reduced refi fears could help ease pressure on mortgage rates
Mortgage investors have been demanding higher yields because of fears of prepayment risk if the loans they're funding now are refinanced when rates fall
by Matt Carter Dec 13
Tomo enters 5 new states, launches real-time preapproval process
After laying off workers in May, Tomo is in expansion mode again with launches in Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C.
by Matt Carter Dec 1
Fannie and Freddie get green light to buy $1M mortgages
The big run-up in home prices may have cooled, but the 2023 conforming loan limit will be increased by 12% to $726,200 in most parts of the country
by Matt Carter Nov 29
Mortgage demand up for 3rd week in a row as rates continue to ease
Economists forecast mortgage rates will continue to fall as Federal Reserve minutes suggest policymakers are preparing to wind down an aggressive campaign to fight inflation
by Matt Carter Nov 23
Surveys reveal why some buyers don't shop for a mortgage
Shopping around can save thousands of dollars, but 1 in 3 prospective homebuyers only get a quote from one lender, Fannie Mae surveys show
by Matt Carter Nov 18
Homebuyer demand picks up again as mortgage rates retreat below 7%
While purchase loan applications were up 4% week over week, there's still 'very little refinance incentive with rates so much higher than last year,' MBA forecaster says
by Matt Carter Nov 16
Billions in losses, a brutal market and more from Q3 earnings season
A slowing market is taking a toll on big real estate companies, though not every firm is suffering equally. A look back on the past 3 dramatic weeks of third-quarter wins, losses and draws
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 14
Black Knight signs another credit union as Empower client
San Diego-based BluPeak is the 9th credit union Black Knight has signed to use its mortgage loan origination system in the last 12 months
by Matt Carter Nov 9
Demand for purchase loans up slightly for first time in 7 weeks
Purchase loan applications rose 1% last week despite latest Fed rate hike, but homebuyer demand for mortgages remained close to 2015 lows, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Nov 9
Mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie battened down the hatches in Q3
Fannie and Freddie remain profitable but are setting aside pots of money to cover future losses in the event that falling home prices drive up defaults
by Matt Carter Nov 8
Fannie, Freddie ordered to slash fees for many first-time homebuyers
Regulators order mortgage giants to eliminate upfront fees on many purchase loans in order to help first-time homebuyers of limited means, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday
by Matt Carter Oct 25
CredEvolv coaches homebuyers to help them qualify for mortgages
Integration with Freddie Mac's HomeCoach tool lets housing counselors access automated underwriting tools used by mortgage lenders
by Matt Carter Oct 18