Originations

Strong economic data was countered by international political developments, sending the 30-year rate lower for the first time in a month.

Overall application activity was down by more than 40% compared with one year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association found.

The complaint seeks unspecified damages over the bank’s mortgage origination and underwriting practices, alleging minority homebuyers were excluded from affordable, low-risk loans.

Danny Yen, owner of Real Estate Educational Services, received a permanent ban on conducting future related training and agreed to testify in any legal proceedings against originators he assisted.

Inflation data showing a 7.5% increase in consumer prices will likely lead to Federal Reserve moves that apply continued upward pressure.

Steadily climbing rates have contributed to a 40% decline in loan activity from one year ago.

Compounding factors of low inventory and high costs also helped lead to another decline in Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index.

And a recent slowdown in government-backed loan issuance is pushing average purchase amounts to another record high.

An increase in the number of completed homes over the last two months and prospects of higher interest rates this year as the Federal Reserve tightens monetary policy may have encouraged a pickup in contract signings.

The researchers found that the disparities that emerged from the analysis of 1.8 million appraisals from 2019 and 2020 were statistically significant.

December's average balance for a mortgage to purchase a newly constructed property set an all-time high, the Mortgage Bankers Association's Builder Application Survey found.

The new offering’s loan structure is designed to hedge against digital currency's price volatility.

President Biden’s aspirations for aggressive forgiveness haven’t been fulfilled to date, but steps taken so far have lowered a key hurdle to entry-level homeownership.

The latest jobs and economic numbers pave the way for additional upward movement throughout 2022, analysts said.

The ruling overturns a summary judgment in a class action lawsuit filed by refinance customers between 2004 and 2009 in West Virginia over alleged inflated property values.

Increasing rates contributed to a sluggish pace for refinances, but the purchase market showed sustained strength.

December's activity was down 18% from November, led by a 23% drop in purchase volume and a 17% decline in rate-and-term refinancings, Black Knight said.

Despite the rising number of COVID infections, investors made no moves that would apply downward pressure.

Recent existing home sales have been stronger than expected, but next year could see a market held back by the inventory shortage and higher rates.

The central bank’s new tone has many in the industry planning for potential volatility in 2022.