Originations

The 18.5% increase in Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's purchase authority was the driver of a 41% decrease in higher balance originations between December and January.

The former lender’s abrupt closure Wednesday and First Guaranty’s recent bankruptcy filing highlight difficulties in the current mortgage environment despite nonbanks being on stronger financial footing than their counterparts of 14 and 24 years ago.

Average purchase-loan amounts shrank for the second week in a row and are currently 12% below their record size in March.

But second home sales — which were below pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 24 months during May — may slow in the future as those in vulnerable areas get tougher to insure.

The median prices for the most sought-after metro areas were on average $128,000 lower than in the city the buyer was leaving, Freddie Mac's study of Loan Product Advisor data found.

Recent remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Powell suggest more upward movement is ahead.

Depreciation risk in parts of New Jersey, Illinois and California is growing, according to a first quarter analysis by Attom Data Solutions.

Non-depository institutions originated an even greater share of all home loans compared to the year before, according to the Federal Financial Examination Council’s latest analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

The latest Federal Reserve move to combat inflation led to a weekly increase of more than 50 basis points.

Lumber prices have wavered, but gypsum, steel and transportation were still on the rise in the past month, according to a National Association of Home Builders analysis.