More tech vendors approved to support appraisal-free mortgages
Stewart Valuation Intelligence (SVI) is the latest technology vendor to be approved by Fannie Mae to support new value acceptance + property data valuation process
by Matt Carter Apr 21
Better's 'One Day Mortgage' product lifts off
New products and agent partnerships could help Better make the transition from a company known primarily for refinancing existing loans to one that's geared to serving homebuyers
by Matt Carter Apr 12
Mortgage, tech experts invited to brainstorm ideas at 'TechSprint'
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator will host Velocity TechSprint, a problem-solving challenge for product developers and data scientists in nation's capital July 10-13
by Matt Carter Apr 7
Software vendors gear up to support appraisal-free mortgages
Fannie Mae says starting April 15, more homebuyers will qualify for a program requiring full interior and exterior inspections that capture data and images throughout the property
by Matt Carter Mar 21
New mortgage fee won't debut until after spring homebuying season
Industry groups continue to object to new Fannie and Freddie fee aimed at some riskier borrowers as a burden on lenders and middle-class consumers
by Matt Carter Mar 17
Fannie and Freddie keep building capital reserves as profits shrink
By one measure, the mortgage giants have built up two-thirds of the reserves needed for them to be released from government conservatorship
by Matt Carter Feb 27
Disparity in mortgage rates offered by lenders doubled in 2022: Study
Homebuyers can potentially save $600 to $1,200 a year by applying for a mortgage with multiple lenders, according to a new analysis released Thursday by mortgage giant Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Feb 21
NAR: New Fannie and Freddie mortgage fees will hit middle class
The mortgage giants' federal regulator eliminates upfront fees for first-time homebuyers of limited means, but some better-off borrowers will see increases starting May 1
by Matt Carter Jan 20
Fannie and Freddie get green light to buy $1M mortgages
The big run-up in home prices may have cooled, but the 2023 conforming loan limit will be increased by 12% to $726,200 in most parts of the country
by Matt Carter Nov 29
Billions in losses, a brutal market and more from Q3 earnings season
A slowing market is taking a toll on big real estate companies, though not every firm is suffering equally. A look back on the past 3 dramatic weeks of third-quarter wins, losses and draws
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 14
Mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie battened down the hatches in Q3
Fannie and Freddie remain profitable but are setting aside pots of money to cover future losses in the event that falling home prices drive up defaults
by Matt Carter Nov 8
Fannie, Freddie ordered to slash fees for many first-time homebuyers
Regulators order mortgage giants to eliminate upfront fees on many purchase loans in order to help first-time homebuyers of limited means, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Monday
by Matt Carter Oct 25
CredEvolv coaches homebuyers to help them qualify for mortgages
Integration with Freddie Mac's HomeCoach tool lets housing counselors access automated underwriting tools used by mortgage lenders
by Matt Carter Oct 18
UWM now offering mortgages without lender's title insurance
The nation's largest wholesale mortgage lender moves to capitalize on rule changes by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac aimed at helping borrowers save on their closing costs
by Matt Carter Oct 3
Big lenders get a head start, adopt $715,000 conforming loan limit
Moves by Rocket and United Wholesale Mortgage could help borrowers get better rates and make smaller down payments when taking out loans that were previously classified as jumbo
by Matt Carter Sep 7