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
Breaking the stigma and fighting bias around VA home loans
Misconceptions about VA home loans keep hard-working and well-prepared military veterans from the American dream of homeownership, veteran and team leader Cheryl Arroyo writes
by Cheryl Arroyo Jan 8
Homebuyers show readiness to pounce when mortgage rates dip
Requests for purchase loans picked up last week during a short-lived drop in rates, MBA survey shows, helped by gradually improving inventory conditions and economic outlook
by Matt Carter Dec 18
NAR signals worst of downturn may be over as existing-home sales rise
Annual existing-home sales increased for the first time in more than 3 years in October, according to the National Association of Realtors. 'The worst of the downturn in home sales could be over.'
by Marian McPherson Nov 21
7 tips for guiding homebuyers through the VA loan process
Are your clients considering a Veterans Affairs home loan? Let Clever Real Estate’s Luke Babich walk you through the most common pain points to help ease the process for your buyers
by Luke Babich Sep 18
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
Veterans Affairs will suspend rule blocking vets from paying agents
Deputy Director of Policy Michelle Corridon said Tuesday the agency would lift rules preventing vets from using low-cost VA loans to pay agents until it engages in a formal rule-making process
by Taylor Anderson May 22
Better Mortgage expands offerings to include VA loans in all 50 states
Veterans and active duty servicemembers can use the company's Tinman platform to see their rates and get pre-approved in minutes and may qualify to buy a home with no down payment
by Matt Carter Feb 15
MyCUmortgage signed 13 credit unions as new clients in 2023
With the addition of new partners serving 713,865 members, myCUmortgage says it's now helping nearly 200 credit unions originate, underwrite and service mortgage loans
by Matt Carter Jan 9
Lower mortgage rates failed to spur homebuyers into action last week
Demand for purchase loans has picked up in 5 of the last 7 weeks as mortgage rates continue a dramatic retreat from October highs on expectations of Fed rate cuts
by Matt Carter Dec 20
Compass assembles new division serving military families, veterans
The brokerage is recruiting agents and regional directors from the military community to help launch the Compass Military Division in July
by Daniel Houston Apr 21
Cash still king as nearly a third of homebuyers spurn costly mortgages 
All-cash home purchases in the US hit 31.4% of all transactions in July 2022, just short of an 8-year high reached in February 2022, according to new data released Friday by Redfin
by Lillian Dickerson Sep 16
Congress closer to prodding VA to update appraisal requirements
The Department of Veterans Affairs allows desktop appraisals when borrowers put 20% down, but nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made to homebuyers who put zero down
by Matt Carter Sep 15
Mortgage applications decrease 1%
Climbing mortgage rates have slowed demand for refinance applications, while purchase applications remain strong moving into spring, according to Mortgage Bankers Association
by Lillian Dickerson Mar 10
Mortgage applications increase for fourth time in 5 weeks
Mortgage applications and refinance applications increased during the week ending Dec. 11, 2020, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey
by Lillian Dickerson Dec 16