April’s increase in rate lock activity does lend some support to the optimistic views on Spring’s market, according to Optimal Blue. Its Market Volume Index, a measurement of rate lock activity, was at 109 for April. This was up from 105 in March, a gain of 3.2%, and 103 for April 2024, 5.9% higher. This […]
What rate lock activity means for the Spring purchase market Read More »
The expiration of the Department of Veterans Affairs loss-mitigation program drove an overall rise in foreclosures to start 2025, with the jump among VA loans the highest in decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The share of mortgages in foreclosure relative to total volume increased to 0.49% in the first quarter, up 4 basis
VA foreclosures surge to 5-year high Read More »
The Mortgage Bankers Association has responded to the Office of Management and Budget’s request for information on “unnecessary, unlawful, unduly burdensome and unsound rules” with several origination and servicing policy suggestions. There already has been pullback from some of the policies the association is calling for the Office of Management and Budget to rescind, with
Mortgage bankers ask OMB to end or revise several rules Read More »
Mortgage lender Lower is acquiring Movoto, a home search website, from prior parent company OJO Labs, the companies announced Tuesday. The combination of the two firms will create “an end-to-end homeownership platform” connecting consumers, originators and real estate agents. The vision echoes a similar one pursued by Rocket Companies through its acquisition of Redfin, announced
Lower acquires Movoto, as it pushes to build end-to-end platform Read More »
Better Home & Finance is offering numerous reasons to believe better days are ahead despite its struggle to reach profitability. The digital lender Tuesday morning disclosed a $51 million net loss in the first quarter, in line with net losses of $59.2 million and $50 million in the prior and year ago periods, respectively. Since
Better still in the red but sees green shoots in retail Read More »
Former Churchill Mortgage employees moved one step closer to getting a $850,000 settlement approved by a federal court in Tennessee over claims that their employee retirement accounts were mismanaged. The proposed settlement would dole out approximately $850 per class member and over $200,000 would be paid to attorneys representing plaintiffs. If approved, the deal would
Churchill Mortgage ESOP suit may pay out nearly 300 Read More »
Frank Gargano A U.S. consumer watchdog looks poised to tear up a rule on customer financial data sharing and start all over again — but with a depleted staff, a potentially drained budget and all of the same thorny issues. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is likely to scratch and rework its open-banking rule, which
Banks face repeat of data-sharing fight with CFPB move Read More »
President Donald Trump’s campaign tax pledges — no taxes on tips and overtime pay, plus new tax breaks for car buyers and seniors — are the centerpiece of a multitrillion dollar package that will serve as Republicans’ signature legislative effort. In a draft version of the tax bill released on Monday, House Republicans highlighted the
GOP tax bill prioritizes Trump campaign vows, increases SALT Read More »
Bloomberg News Prices continued to trend down toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target last month despite the rollout of sweeping tariff hikes. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in April for an annualized increase of 2.3%. Core CPI, which factors out food and energy, was up 0.2% on the month and 2.8% year over year.
CPI inflation continues to trend down despite tariff rollout Read More »
Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive. What Are Concessions and Incentives? When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with
Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now Read More »