industry news
Amazon pushes further into real estate with Lennar smart home deal
Housing Wire| May 9, 2018
Over the past few months, Amazon has hinted at expansion into real estate in various ways.Last July, the online monolith quietly tested (and then removed) a feature that would connect a potential homebuyer or seller with a real estate agent. And earlier this year, Amazon began exploring a move into mortgage lending. In fact, HousingWire’s Editor-in-Chief, Jacob Gaffney, reported in March that Amazon is looking to hire the head of a soon-to-be-announced mortgage division.
Housing confidence hits record high as home prices skyrocket
CNBC| May 7, 2018
A critical shortage of listings is the No. 1 obstacle, not rising mortgage rates or new tax laws that reduce certain homeowner deductions, especially in higher price ranges.
Homebuyers are not bothered by higher rates or taxes, but sellers are
CNBC| March 21, 2018
A critical shortage of listings is the No. 1 obstacle, not rising mortgage rates or new tax laws that reduce certain homeowner deductions, especially in higher price ranges.
House approves changes to TRID rule, loan originator licensing rules
Housing Wire| February 15, 2018
The House of Representatives last night approved a bill that could bring big changes to the mortgage industry, including making it easier for loan originators to move from a traditional bank to a nonbank. The bill would also bring changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule, also called the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures rule, or TRID.
Mortgage volume stalls as rates rise to the highest level in four years
CNBC| February 07, 2018
The first week in February usually marks the start of the busy spring housing market, but you wouldn't know that from the mortgage market.
12 high-rent housing markets ready for more first time home buyers
National Mortgage News| February 05, 2018
Rising rents could suggest the homebuyer pool is about to get even bigger at a time when demand in the housing market is already far outpacing supply.
Mortgage applications shoot up 8.3% to start the year
CNBC| January 10, 2018
Total application volume rose 8.3 percent during the first week of the year from the previous week, as mortgage rates held below year-ago levels, according to the seasonally adjusted Mortgage Bankers Association report.
Mortgage rate forecast for 2018: Rates expected to increase
Bankrate| January 3, 2018
Mortgage rates are expected to climb in 2018, so it might be worth shopping for a mortgage before this long period of low rates takes a turn. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage peaked at 4.44 percent in mid-March before dropping to 4.15 percent at the end of 2017, according to Bankrate’s weekly survey of lenders.
8 questions mortgage pros must ponder in 2018
National Mortgage News| December 28, 2017
From consolidation to tech innovation, here's a look at some of the top challenges and trends that mortgage executives from lenders, servicers and vendors are focused on for 2018
Homeowners: Here's what's in the tax bill for you
CNN Money| December 17, 2017
Senate and House Republicans have reconciled their versions of tax legislation and the final plan shrinks some popular deductions. Lawmakers aim to vote on the bill next week and then send it to President Trump's desk.
Mortgage Applications for New homes on the Rise
MReport| December 13, 2017
Mortgage applications for new homes increased 12.2 percent in November 2017 compared to the year ago period according to data from the MBA Builder Application Survey for November 2017 that was released recently. However, mortgage applications for new homes decreased by 6 percent compared to October 2017. The survey said that this change did not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.
Here are 6 housing predictions to know for 2018
Housing Wire| November 29, 2017
The latest report from realtor.com shows the market will begin to see more manageable increases in home prices and a modest acceleration of home sales. Analysts from the real estate listings website also predict Millennials will begin to increase their market share of homeownership in 2018.
Senate Banking Committee introduces repeal of Dodd-Frank Act
Housing Wire| December 5, 2017
The bill, S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, contains policies which would roll back or eliminate key parts from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
The New Gold Standard: 10 U.S. Housing Markets That Will Rule 2018
Realtor.com| December 4, 2017
To determine our predictions for the best real estate markets of 2018, realtor.com's® economic data team took a look at the number of sales of existing homes and their prices, along with the amount of new home construction in the 100 largest markets. We also analyzed the local economies of each area, along with population trends, unemployment rates, median household incomes, and other factors.
What to expect from the 2018 housing market
INMAN| November 3, 2017
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun today announced the 2018 economic and housing forecast at the Association’s Realtors Conference and Expo in Chicago.
Real estate daily market update: November 2, 2017
INMAN| November 2, 2017
After increasing to their highest levels since mid-July, mortgage rates retreated early this week to near where they were for much of the past month,” said Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow. “The emerging contours of tax reform proposals in Congress and continued speculation about who will be named the next chair of the Federal Reserve both helped pushed rates lower.
Home sales up 18.9 percent to 667,000
INMAN| October 25, 2017
Good news for the housing market: sales of single-family homes rose by 18.9 percent in September, to 667,000 new houses sold, according to new stats released today from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly rebound in September
Reuters| October 20, 2017
U.S. home resales unexpectedly increased in September as the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma began to dissipate, but a persistent dearth of properties for sale continued to weigh on overall activity.
Here are the top 10 lenders dominating the mortgage market
Housing Wire| October 11, 2017
The latest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data was released by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, and shows which lenders are dominating the mortgage origination market.
Carson: Government considering ending use of False Claims Act against FHA lenders
Housing Wire| October 12, 2017
The government’s proclivity to use the False Claims Act as a weapon against mortgage lenders could soon be coming to an end, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson told members of Congress on Thursday.
New Data Identifies the Average Millennial Mortgage Borrower
NMP| October 4, 2017
The average Millennial mortgage borrower in August was a 29.4-year-old who took out a conventional loan of $185,919 to purchase a home with an average appraised value of $223,882, according to a data analysis from Ellie Mae, which also determined the average homebuyer in this demographic had a FICO score of 724 and closed on their home in 44 days.
Mortgage rates hold steady but are trending higher
Washington Post| October 5, 2017
Mortgage rates barely budged this week as the impact of the recent hurricanes began weighing on the economy. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average bumped up to 3.85 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.) It was 3.83 percent a week ago and 3.42 percent a year ago.
As Market Pressures Mount, Lenders Continue to Ease Mortgage Credit Standards
Fannie Mae | September 25, 2017
Facing constrained mortgage demand and a negative profit margin outlook, more lenders say they have eased rather than tightened home mortgage credit standards, according to Fannie Mae’s third quarter 2017 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey®. Across all loan types – GSE Eligible, Non-GSE Eligible, and Government – the net share of lenders who reported easing credit standards over the prior three months reached a new high since the survey’s inception in March 2014, after climbing each quarter since Q4 2016.
Real Estate Pros Say Prices to Continue to Escalate
Daily Real Estate News| September 28, 2017
Home prices likely will continue to rise over the next year as buyer demand continues to outstrip supply in many markets, according to the August 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index. That bodes well for homeowners, but buyers are likely going to face even higher prices in the coming months as well as continued competition from the limited number of homes for sale, according to the report.
Housing Wire| May 9, 2018
Over the past few months, Amazon has hinted at expansion into real estate in various ways.Last July, the online monolith quietly tested (and then removed) a feature that would connect a potential homebuyer or seller with a real estate agent. And earlier this year, Amazon began exploring a move into mortgage lending. In fact, HousingWire’s Editor-in-Chief, Jacob Gaffney, reported in March that Amazon is looking to hire the head of a soon-to-be-announced mortgage division.
Housing confidence hits record high as home prices skyrocket
CNBC| May 7, 2018
A critical shortage of listings is the No. 1 obstacle, not rising mortgage rates or new tax laws that reduce certain homeowner deductions, especially in higher price ranges.
Homebuyers are not bothered by higher rates or taxes, but sellers are
CNBC| March 21, 2018
A critical shortage of listings is the No. 1 obstacle, not rising mortgage rates or new tax laws that reduce certain homeowner deductions, especially in higher price ranges.
House approves changes to TRID rule, loan originator licensing rules
Housing Wire| February 15, 2018
The House of Representatives last night approved a bill that could bring big changes to the mortgage industry, including making it easier for loan originators to move from a traditional bank to a nonbank. The bill would also bring changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Know Before You Owe mortgage disclosure rule, also called the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures rule, or TRID.
Mortgage volume stalls as rates rise to the highest level in four years
CNBC| February 07, 2018
The first week in February usually marks the start of the busy spring housing market, but you wouldn't know that from the mortgage market.
12 high-rent housing markets ready for more first time home buyers
National Mortgage News| February 05, 2018
Rising rents could suggest the homebuyer pool is about to get even bigger at a time when demand in the housing market is already far outpacing supply.
Mortgage applications shoot up 8.3% to start the year
CNBC| January 10, 2018
Total application volume rose 8.3 percent during the first week of the year from the previous week, as mortgage rates held below year-ago levels, according to the seasonally adjusted Mortgage Bankers Association report.
Mortgage rate forecast for 2018: Rates expected to increase
Bankrate| January 3, 2018
Mortgage rates are expected to climb in 2018, so it might be worth shopping for a mortgage before this long period of low rates takes a turn. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage peaked at 4.44 percent in mid-March before dropping to 4.15 percent at the end of 2017, according to Bankrate’s weekly survey of lenders.
8 questions mortgage pros must ponder in 2018
National Mortgage News| December 28, 2017
From consolidation to tech innovation, here's a look at some of the top challenges and trends that mortgage executives from lenders, servicers and vendors are focused on for 2018
Homeowners: Here's what's in the tax bill for you
CNN Money| December 17, 2017
Senate and House Republicans have reconciled their versions of tax legislation and the final plan shrinks some popular deductions. Lawmakers aim to vote on the bill next week and then send it to President Trump's desk.
Mortgage Applications for New homes on the Rise
MReport| December 13, 2017
Mortgage applications for new homes increased 12.2 percent in November 2017 compared to the year ago period according to data from the MBA Builder Application Survey for November 2017 that was released recently. However, mortgage applications for new homes decreased by 6 percent compared to October 2017. The survey said that this change did not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.
Here are 6 housing predictions to know for 2018
Housing Wire| November 29, 2017
The latest report from realtor.com shows the market will begin to see more manageable increases in home prices and a modest acceleration of home sales. Analysts from the real estate listings website also predict Millennials will begin to increase their market share of homeownership in 2018.
Senate Banking Committee introduces repeal of Dodd-Frank Act
Housing Wire| December 5, 2017
The bill, S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, contains policies which would roll back or eliminate key parts from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
The New Gold Standard: 10 U.S. Housing Markets That Will Rule 2018
Realtor.com| December 4, 2017
To determine our predictions for the best real estate markets of 2018, realtor.com's® economic data team took a look at the number of sales of existing homes and their prices, along with the amount of new home construction in the 100 largest markets. We also analyzed the local economies of each area, along with population trends, unemployment rates, median household incomes, and other factors.
What to expect from the 2018 housing market
INMAN| November 3, 2017
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun today announced the 2018 economic and housing forecast at the Association’s Realtors Conference and Expo in Chicago.
Real estate daily market update: November 2, 2017
INMAN| November 2, 2017
After increasing to their highest levels since mid-July, mortgage rates retreated early this week to near where they were for much of the past month,” said Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow. “The emerging contours of tax reform proposals in Congress and continued speculation about who will be named the next chair of the Federal Reserve both helped pushed rates lower.
Home sales up 18.9 percent to 667,000
INMAN| October 25, 2017
Good news for the housing market: sales of single-family homes rose by 18.9 percent in September, to 667,000 new houses sold, according to new stats released today from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly rebound in September
Reuters| October 20, 2017
U.S. home resales unexpectedly increased in September as the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma began to dissipate, but a persistent dearth of properties for sale continued to weigh on overall activity.
Here are the top 10 lenders dominating the mortgage market
Housing Wire| October 11, 2017
The latest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data was released by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, and shows which lenders are dominating the mortgage origination market.
Carson: Government considering ending use of False Claims Act against FHA lenders
Housing Wire| October 12, 2017
The government’s proclivity to use the False Claims Act as a weapon against mortgage lenders could soon be coming to an end, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson told members of Congress on Thursday.
New Data Identifies the Average Millennial Mortgage Borrower
NMP| October 4, 2017
The average Millennial mortgage borrower in August was a 29.4-year-old who took out a conventional loan of $185,919 to purchase a home with an average appraised value of $223,882, according to a data analysis from Ellie Mae, which also determined the average homebuyer in this demographic had a FICO score of 724 and closed on their home in 44 days.
Mortgage rates hold steady but are trending higher
Washington Post| October 5, 2017
Mortgage rates barely budged this week as the impact of the recent hurricanes began weighing on the economy. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average bumped up to 3.85 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.) It was 3.83 percent a week ago and 3.42 percent a year ago.
As Market Pressures Mount, Lenders Continue to Ease Mortgage Credit Standards
Fannie Mae | September 25, 2017
Facing constrained mortgage demand and a negative profit margin outlook, more lenders say they have eased rather than tightened home mortgage credit standards, according to Fannie Mae’s third quarter 2017 Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey®. Across all loan types – GSE Eligible, Non-GSE Eligible, and Government – the net share of lenders who reported easing credit standards over the prior three months reached a new high since the survey’s inception in March 2014, after climbing each quarter since Q4 2016.
Real Estate Pros Say Prices to Continue to Escalate
Daily Real Estate News| September 28, 2017
Home prices likely will continue to rise over the next year as buyer demand continues to outstrip supply in many markets, according to the August 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index. That bodes well for homeowners, but buyers are likely going to face even higher prices in the coming months as well as continued competition from the limited number of homes for sale, according to the report.