Boston-based Hometap has closed a $300 million securitization of home equity investment (HEI) loans originated by the company, marking its fifth transaction in the space. The deal, closed on Aug. 29, included a $231 million Class A tranche rated at BBB(sf) and a $12 million Class B tranche rated at BBB(low)(sf) by Morningstar DBRS. “Through […]
Hometap closes $300M securitization of home equity investments Read More »
Mortgage rates at their lowest levels in nearly a year are driving a wave of refinance opportunities for lenders ahead of the Federal Reserve’s expected rate cut next week. The shift is encouraging more borrowers to leave the sidelines, with small rate moves already triggering meaningful activity. “Refinance businesses increased significantly from the first quarter,
With a Fed rate cut likely, how big could the refinance wave be? Read More »
Last month, President Donald Trump nominated Stephen Miran to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. And much like other Trump administration picks that require Senate confirmation, Miran’s selection has drawn skepticism from Democratic lawmakers. Miran met last week with members of the Senate banking committee, and a full floor vote
Stephen Miran may join the Fed before the next interest rate vote Read More »
To their credit, most mortgage lenders did an admirable job of aggressively pricing-in the bond market rally after last Friday’s jobs report. Many mortgage market pros repeat the phrase “stairs down, escalator up” when it comes to the pace at which lenders change rates. The idea is that lenders are quicker to raise rates than
Another 11-Month Low For Rates, But Just Barely Read More »
Black homeowners, who already face long-term disadvantages in the housing market, are losing more ground. The Black homeownership rate fell this summer to its lowest rate since late 2021, according to Redfin. The brokerage, now a Rocket Cos. affiliate, cited annual unemployment figures, which are higher for both Black men and women than other ethnic
Black homeowners lose ground as job losses mount Read More »
The property insurance portion of the average mortgage payment keeps rising, and is now just shy of 10% of the average monthly expense, ICE Mortgage Technology said in its September Mortgage Monitor Report. Mortgage payments are broken down into two components — principal and interest, and taxes and insurance; the latter normally goes into the
Property insurance nears 10% of mortgage costs Read More »
Key Insight: Kevin Hassett, a top White House economist and possible successor to Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve, said political independence is critical to the Fed and the lack of independence drives inflation. What’s at stake: President Trump has embarked on a campaign to gain a voting majority on the Fed’s Board
Hassett backs Fed independence Read More »
Most California homes were built long before the state required that they be constructed to withstand wildfires. Now, sellers of older homes in high-risk areas must disclose to potential buyers not only a dwelling’s susceptibility to fire but what they’ve done to address those vulnerabilities. As climate change intensifies natural disasters, states across the US have been mandating
Older homes for sale in California now come with wildfire warnings Read More »
Scott Bessent is studiously trying to avoid the fate of the last Treasury secretary who picked a Fed chair for President Donald Trump and now finds himself banished from the inner circle. To escape Steven Mnuchin’s fate, Bessent — who begins interviewing candidates for the role this month — must balance Trump’s demands for a
Bessent battles Trump demands, market jitters in Fed chair hunt Read More »
If your selling strategy still assumes you’ll get multiple offers over asking, it’s officially time for a reset. That frenzied seller’s market is behind us. And here are the numbers to prove it. From Frenzy to “Normal” Right now, about 50% of homes on the market are selling for less than their asking price, according
Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It Read More »