Mortgages

The guarantor has for the first time proposed a risk-based capital requirement for companies not subject to other federal regulation. The industry says the plan, which would impose a heavy charge for servicing portfolios, could drive lenders away from government-backed programs.

Soaring home prices and the abundance of all-cash offers that the deep-pocketed can afford makes home buying even harder for the average borrower, according to a Redfin report.

The relatively low share of borrowers who were distressed in June adds to signs that the offramp from government relief measures may not lead to an overwhelming wave of foreclosures.

The meager increase suggests the largest boost in inventory possible would likely still leave the backlog of homes on the market at historic lows.

Despite lower numbers, refi applications continued trending strongly, while purchases fell close to lows from more than a year ago.

Meanwhile, the average new-home mortgage price climbed to a new all-time high, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

As rising home valuations force first-time home buyers out of the market, expect to see non-owner-occupied loans to increase.

The GSE forecasts $4 trillion in production this year because refinance activity is stronger than expected.

The agency’s new chief said eliminating the “adverse market fee” — in place since December — will make it easier for families to refinance while mortgage rates are still low.

“One” is the first in a series of non-agency mortgages the wholesaler plans to introduce this year.