Originations

The oversight agency for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is taking a new approach to affordability targets and is withdrawing some unrelated, older initiatives.

While new jobs data contributed to falling Treasury yields, mortgage rates showed a mixed picture with some trackers moving in opposite directions.

The credit scoring agency's rollout comes after years of criticism from home lenders over its prices, with delivery costs rising over 40% in the past year.

A potential government shutdown could create unprecedented risks for housing, delaying data releases, and affecting markets more than past shutdowns.

Mortgage applications increased 0.6% last week after jumping 29.7% the week prior, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The average return on investment for flipped homes was 25.1% in the second quarter this year, the lowest point since the second quarter of 2008.

Most lenders said they had already priced in the widely-anticipated decision to cut short-term rates for 30-year home loans but other products will benefit.

New-home loan activity rose 1% in August year over year, but applications fell 6% from July.

Falling interest rates led to a rush in refinancing, but slowing purchase activity brought a decline in overall lock volumes, according to Optimal Blue.

While August's views on buying conditions and rates increased over July, the other components in Fannie Mae's sentiment index all declined, driving it lower.

Black homeownership fell to 43.9% this summer, its lowest since 2021, as rising unemployment and federal layoffs widened housing gaps across demographics.

The 30-year conforming fixed rate mortgage ended this week at its lowest since last Oct. 17, helped by bond traders pricing in a reduction in short-term rates.

As Washington weighs a national housing emergency, U.S. homeownership has slipped year-over-year, according to Redfin.

A pickup in refinances was offset by the first pullback in purchases in four weeks in the run-up to Labor Day, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The increase in purchase volume was not enough to offset the drop in refinance application submissions as conventional rates increased week-over-week.

The bank "temporarily" paused home equity line of credit lending in April 2020, over concerns regarding the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While still higher than the norm, the reduction in this spread is good news when it comes to mortgage rates for potential homebuyers as well as current owners.

Lagging tech adoption, issues with credit, and originators' rush to close refinances earlier this year contributed to deterioration, a study found.

Fannie Mae economists toned down their housing and economic outlook in August, predicting fewer home sales and less mortgage origination volume versus July.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell by 5 basis points, with the Consumer Price Index showing muted inflation and jobs data still influencing the market.