It has been roughly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, and more people than ever are buying residential real estate in vacation housing markets, per a report from Redfin. In a study of counties that
Mortgage applications drop, but spring buying season looms
After a slight increase in late February, mortgage applications dipped 1.3% in the week ending March 5, according to the latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. But experts aren’t concerned. With spring approaching – signaling the start of a
HUD settles with JPMorgan over appraisal bias case
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that JPMorgan Chase has come to an agreement with a Black homeowner who claimed the bank’s mortgage division – relying on a valuation done by an appraiser – valued her
Are you ready to be the Amazon of real estate?
Imagine requesting an Uber and not being able to see a map view of where the driver is located in real time; ordering food from DoorDash without up-to-date digital menus from an endless number of restaurants; or buying an item
The purchase market is an opportunity for the title industry
Prognosticators are already suggesting the mortgage market has recently “peaked.” That’s based, primarily, on total origination volume and may or may not account for seasonality. No matter. Most agree that in 2021, we will not match the astronomical origination volume
Mortgage credit, and the coming purchase storm
Mortgage credit is still the tightest it has been in more than six years, but an unwavering February may be the calm before the purchase storm as lenders prepare for a revitalized economy, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in a report on
Equity jumps for Black homeowners, but problems remain
As the first quarter of 2021 nears its end, a recent Redfin report shows both good and bad news for Black homeowners. The positive: Homeowners in primarily Black neighborhoods earned an average of $59,000 in home equity in 2020, compared
Forbearance exits more like a drip than a wave last week
The total number of mortgages in forbearance fell three basis points in the last week of February, down to 5.2% on the back of a slight increase in forbearance exits, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Monday. At the current rate, the trade group
Who are the HW Marketing Leaders?
HousingWire’s newest award program launches today, honoring the housing economy’s top marketing execs in lending, mortgage servicing, investing and real estate. Nominations are open March 9 through March 26, 2021. Earlier this year, HousingWire recognized the top finance executives in
Spring housing market forecast: record purchase volume
The sun is shining as I write this today and the forecast is for warmer weather. While others might think of restarting outdoor activities or working in the garden, our industry is gearing up for a strong spring housing market
Will higher mortgage rates cool the housing market?
Can you smell it in the air? America is back! The last plank required to complete the foundation of my “America is Back Economic Recovery” model was for the 10-year yield to start trading in the range of 1.33% to
Is Q1 the last quarter to ride the mortgage refinance wave?
Lenders may have one last quarter to ride the market’s massive mortgage refinance wave after Monday data from Black Knight’s Mortgage Monitor Report revealed that despite rising interest rates, Q1 2021 refinance lending volumes are poised to remain near last
CFPB delays QM compliance date to October 2022
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a notice of proposed rulemaking on Tuesday to delay the mandatory compliance date of the Qualified Mortgage final rule from July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022. “At a time when so many consumers
FHFA extends multifamily forbearance through June 30
Multifamily property owners who are struggling to make mortgage payments due to the coronavirus pandemic now have a reprieve through the end of June for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced on Friday. Forbearance options for multifamily mortgages
Plaid unveils Income to aid customer finance
Fintech company Plaid has announced the release of Income, a beta product looking to simplify income verification so customers can secure loans, qualify for mortgages, rent apartments, lease vehicles, and more. The company said Income can also be used by
CFPB delay of QM rule implementation is a terrible move
As reported yesterday, The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a notice of proposed rule-making that would “delay the mandatory compliance date of the general qualified mortgage rule 15 months to Oct. 1, 2022.” The bureau said: “extending the mandatory compliance
Stewart continues acquisition frenzy with Signature snag
In a continued attempt to streamline the customer experience, Stewart Information Services Corp. announced that it acquired Signature Closers. Stewart did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. Stewart officials said the acquisition “strengthens its digital strategy” that is
UWM to block brokers working with Fairway and Quicken
United Wholesale Mortgage, the top wholesale lender in the nation, announced on a Facebook live Thursday that it will no longer partner with brokers who also work with Rocket Mortgage and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. Mat Ishbia, president and CEO
Tighter enforcement environment won’t just affect lenders
2021 is already shaping up to be a vastly different year than 2020 for the mortgage and real estate industry, and it’s not only because we’re entering a purchase market. All indications are that compliance and enforcement will again move
For the first time since July, mortgage rates pass 3%
The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan rose 5 basis points last week to 3.02%, marking the first time since July that the industry has seen rates break above 3%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Since reaching a low
Mike Cagney is looking to buy a mortgage company, or two
Figure Technologies CEO and co-founder Mike Cagney never intended to build a mortgage lending company. Upon leaving SoFi, Cagney and the founding team at Figure were laser-focused on applying blockchain technology to financial services. But now, with proof of concept
David Stevens and Kris Kully to speak at Spring Summit
The regulatory landscape has shifted quickly under President Biden. To discuss just what that means for those in the housing economy, Kris Kully, a partner at Mayer Brown, and David Stevens, the former CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, will
RE/MAX makes big Florida investment
RE/MAX has greatly expanded its foothold in northeast Florida, buying Jacksonville brokerage mainstay Magnolia Properties. Magnolia Properties’ 125 agents are now part of RE/MAX Leading Edge, a franchisee based in St. Augustine, Florida, according to a RE/MAX company announcement Monday.
U.S. Bank’s Fred Bolstad to speak at Spring Summit
Fred Bolstad, executive vice president of retail lending at U.S. Bank Home Mortgage, will speak on a panel titled What Mortgage Tech is Solving Now at HousingWire’s Spring Summit on March 4. Bolstad will be joined on the panel by Dave Vermillion, founder