Equity release — a class of financial products that involve unlocking home equity and converting it into cash flow — currently has global annual volume of roughly $17 billion. This class includes reverse mortgage products in the U.S., the United Kingdom and elsewhere, but a European equity release authority projects that volume will more than […]
Global equity release market projected to top $56B by 2035 Read More »
The Federal Reserve held benchmark rates steady in the range of 4.25% to 4.5% following its two-day meeting on Wednesday, a decision with implications for the mortgage industry. The move, expected by virtually all monetary policy watchers, underscores the challenge facing the Federal Reserve — deciding when it’s appropriate to cut rates. It’s a delicate
Fed holds rates steady amid inflation concerns, resilient job market Read More »
Even though new home sales showed growth last month, the homebuilders — both big and small — have no desire to grow housing permits or starts with 7% mortgage rates. Housing starts and permits peaked in 2022 and have been fluctuating at levels similar to the early stages of the COVID-19 recession for some time
Homebuilders have no motivation to grow permits with 7% rates Read More »
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, and lending partner Setpoint announced on Wednesday that they’re providing a $200 million warehouse facility to Austin-based mortgage tech firm UpEquity. The funding is expected to support $1 billion in originations over the next two years, helping homebuyers purchase new homes before selling their current
UpEquity gets warehouse facility from Silicon Valley Bank, Setpoint Read More »
Loan volume through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is up 45% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. That’s according to an analysis of VA loan data released Wednesday by Veterans United Home Loans. The analysis, based on lending data from the first half of fiscal year
VA loans are up 45% annually as Gen Zers lead the charge Read More »
It happens, but it’s rare. A Fed “dot plot” day has come and gone with mortgage rates almost perfectly unchanged from the previous day. This speaks to the level of indecision not only in the market, but also among Fed members. First off, what’s a “dot plot day?” The dot plot (or simply, “the dots”)
Remarkable Absence of Mortgage Rate Volatility Read More »
Provisions restoring the mortgage insurance premium deduction are included in the Senate reconciliation bill, the latest path for its supporters to bring it back to the Tax Code. It is one of several real estate and housing provisions up for debate, including one that addresses low income housing tax credits. The MI deduction first was
Senate reconciliation proposals would help, hurt housing Read More »
Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner reiterated his focus on increasing housing supply and streamlining operations at the federal agency. “Making housing more affordable and increasing the supply of housing in our country…is a top priority of mine,” Turner said at a luncheon hosted by the Exchequer Club and Women in Housing
HUD Secretary Turner says manufactured housing key to supply Read More »
Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s regulator called for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down on Wednesday if he doesn’t cut short-term rates, as monetary policymakers left them unchanged again. “Jay Powell is hurting the housing market by being too late to lower rates. He needs to resign, effective immediately,” Bill Pulte said in
Fannie, Freddie regulator: Powell should cut rates or quit Read More »
Caring wife. Positive aged woman giving a cup of tea to her smiling husband who is sitting at the table and using tablet Past expectations of a wave of homes to hit the market once senior citizens move out are fading, with a majority of baby boomers saying they won’t sell for at least another
Baby boomer plans put others’ homeownership goals on hold Read More »