Originations

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.

However, the unusual profitability residential finance firms have previously enjoyed, and a strong housing market, could help to sustain their bottom lines.

Error findings related to income and employment reached a high point since Aces Quality Management started its report in 2016.

Activity is down 20% from one year ago, driven by a 65% falloff in rate and term refinancings, Black Knight said.

But rising rates and tightening affordability are slowing appreciation rates, Black Knight found in its latest Mortgage Monitor report.

Besides making the deduction permanent, the bill doubles the income threshold for those eligible to claim it.

Though unlikely to derail a hot housing market, another surge in COVID-19 cases could cloud the outlook for economic growth, analysts said.

But in November, home buyer demand reached its highest level since RedFin began compiling the data in 2017.

However, capacity issues, the suspension of the government-sponsored enterprise purchase caps and higher conforming limits all could affect activity, KBRA said.

The Federal Housing Administration’s changes seek to bring guidelines for specialized Title I programs in line with current borrower and market needs.

However, it remains 30% tighter than pre-pandemic levels, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.