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
Homebuyers continue to take advantage of falling rates
Demand for purchase mortgages has picked up in 5 out of the past 6 weeks, and applications to refinance have roared back, jumping 27% from a year ago, MBA survey shows
by Matt Carter Dec 13
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
Homepoint selling wholesale business to The Loan Store
Parent company Home Point Capital to take an equity stake in The Loan Store, with Homepoint executive Phil Shoemaker to be installed as CEO when the deal closes by end of Q2
by Matt Carter Apr 7
Guild Mortgage announces 3rd acquisition in as many months
Acquisition of Colorado-based Cherry Creek Mortgage expands Guild's retail branch network by 68 offices in 45 states, adds reverse loan options
by Matt Carter Mar 14
Mortgage rates headed past 7% after Powell warns Congress on inflation
Futures markets are taking the Fed chair at his word that policymakers may have to hike rates faster and take them higher to combat inflation
by Matt Carter Mar 8
Homebuyer loan requests jump 25% as mortgage rates continue to fall
After 2 months of declines, mortgage rates are now at their lowest level since September with potential to spur spring homebuying: MBA economist
by Matt Carter Jan 18
Mortgage rates fall — but so does demand, breaking 4-week streak
As mortgage rates continue to retreat from 2022 highs, all eyes will be on Federal Reserve as policymakers conduct their final meeting of the year next week
by Matt Carter Dec 7
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
Demand for mortgages hits lowest level since 2000
Decline in purchase applications aligns with slower homebuilding activity due to reduced buyer traffic and ongoing building material shortages, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Jul 20