Mortgage rates trending down as Fed rate cuts seen as certain
Investors see a September rate cut as a given, but the latest inflation data suggests recession fears are overblown and that the Fed will start out with a modest, 25-basis point reduction
by Matt Carter Aug 14
'Fix-and-flip' loans are going mainstream with investors
Kiavi has packaged up more than $5.1B in 'residential transition loans' for sale to investors. The latest deal — the first to be evaluated by a credit rating agency — was bumped up to $400M
by Matt Carter Aug 13
RE/MAX's Motto Mortgage office count is shrinking for first time
Franchise sales have slowed, and some existing franchisees have canceled their agreements, but Motto Franchising President Ward Morrison expects growth to resume when lending picks up
by Matt Carter Aug 12
Investors bullish on Blend on Q2 earnings and revenue beat
Cloud banking software provider continues to grow consumer banking revenue, while reversing the decline in its main line of business of providing services to mortgage lenders
by Matt Carter Aug 9
Calque adds 2 more lenders to growing nationwide partner roster
Austin, Texas-based fintech's flagship product, 'The Trade-In Mortgage,' helps homebuyers make non-contingent offers and removes their current house from debt-to-income calculation
by Matt Carter Aug 9
Investors aren't ready to buy in to Better's comeback story
Digital mortgage lender boosted Q2 loan production by 45% and says it's on track to originate more than $1B in mortgages in Q3 for the first time in 2 years, but losses continue to mount
by Matt Carter Aug 8
Mortgage rates bounce back before homebuyers can pounce
The big drop in mortgage rates did more to spur refinancing than homebuying, according to a weekly survey of lenders by the Mortgage Bankers Association, and now rates are rising again
by Matt Carter Aug 7
Most Americans weren't expecting the big drop in mortgage rates
Fannie Mae survey shows would-be homebuyers grew even more frustrated with elevated home prices and mortgage rates in July, but 7 in 10 didn't think rates would come down anytime soon
by Matt Carter Aug 7
LoanDepot boosts revenue, sells servicing to restructure debt
Pending $25M settlement of January cyberattack adds to $66M Q2 net loss, but executives say they're in a better position to grow after selling $29B in mortgage servicing rights
by Matt Carter Aug 6
UWM shares at 3-year high on prospect of refi 'mini boom'
In Q2 earnings, the nation's largest mortgage lender posted a healthy $76M profit, paid down debt and said it's in prime position to capitalize and grow as mortgage rates drop to 2024 lows
by Matt Carter Aug 6
Fannie, Freddie mulling tighter rules for multifamily lenders
Concerns about fraud mean lenders who want to sell multifamily loans to the mortgage giants may be required to do more due diligence on borrowers and their properties
by Matt Carter Aug 5
Mortgage rates are in free fall on a triple whammy of economic news
Jobs reports trigger recession fears, sending rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages plunging to new 2024 lows as investors rotate out of stocks and into bonds and MBSs that fund home loans
by Matt Carter Aug 2
Rocket says AI helping it grow capacity and keep expenses flat
With Q2 2024 net income up 28% to $178M, CEO Varun Krishna says Rocket is making 'significant investments in data leadership and infrastructure' and partnering 'with the best in the industry'
by Matt Carter Aug 1
To mortgage or not to mortgage? That is the question (for brokers)
HomeLight CEO Drew Uher says he's glad to be out of the mortgage business. Fathom CEO Marco Fregenal sees the value of being in lending 'in a very selective way' to help agents close deals
by Matt Carter Aug 1
Affordability: It's not just high mortgage rates and home prices
Rising cost of construction, insurance and property taxes creating obstacles for homebuyers that require help from real estate agents and mortgage lenders: LoanDepot CEO Frank Martell
by Matt Carter Aug 1
Pending home sales fall 5.7% YOY, biggest decline in 9 months
Despite an improvement in housing affordability, property sales continue to decline. Pending home sales dropped 5.7% YOY, Redfin reported Thursday
by Richelle Hammiel Aug 1