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Author name: Ricky Vasquez

Favorable tailwinds drive growth in non-QM securities

Originations, Secondary markets, Securitization /

Tailwinds behind the non-qualified mortgage segment are leading to growing secondary market volumes, while loan pools are on par with recent performance levels, according to a new Morningstar DBRS report.  Second-quarter non-QM volumes exceeded last year’s number, totaling over $9.8 billion of typical securitizations, the ratings agency said in a new report. On a year-over-year […]

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FHA poised to outpace private mortgage insurers

FHA, Housing markets, Originations, PMI, Secondary markets, Underwriting /

The Federal Housing Association is likely to continue to take market share away from the private mortgage insurers for the foreseeable future, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods report said. Insurance-in-force for all forms of mortgage insurance grew by 1.3% between the first and second quarters and by 5.5% year-over-year, the report from Bose George and

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Young buyers’ risky refi gamble: A looming problem?

Homeowners insurance, Housing markets, Refinance /

Young homebuyers are taking the adage “marry the house, date the rate” to heart, but that could set them up for potential problems in the future, a new report warns. Nearly two-thirds of millennial and Gen Z homebuyers said it was “important” or “extremely important” that they be able to refinance their homes in the

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US 30-year mortgage rate declines by most since February

Mortgage applications, Mortgage Rates, Originations /

US mortgage rates dropped last week by the most since February, enticing homeowners to step up refinancing. The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage declined 10 basis points to 6.67% in the week ended Aug. 8, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday. The rate on a 15-year mortgage retreated below 6% for the

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a graph of sales and prices

Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

Affordability, Agent Value, For Buyers, New Construction /

If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity. Myth 1: New Homes Are More Expensive It’s easy to assume a new build will cost

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How lenders can win loyalty by owning the whole home journey 

Contributors, HWmember, Lenders, Mortgage, Opinion, Origination /

Mortgage lending has shifted into an experience economy. Interest rates dominate conversations, yet only 29% of borrowers who complete a rate-and-term refinance stay with their current servicer, according to ICE Mortgage Technology’s July 2024 Mortgage Monitor report.   Borrowers remember how they were treated long after they close their loan and that statistic signals a gap

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Economists now leaning towards September Fed cut

Economy, Federal Reserve, Housing markets, Mortgage Rates, Politics and policy /

While more economists surveyed in August by Wolters Kluwer expect the Federal Open Market Committee to cut short-term rates at its September meeting than the previous month, a significant share still thinks action won’t come until December or later. The percentage of the participants in the Blue Chip Economic Indicators panel believing the next Fed

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Howard Hanna enters Carolinas with Allen Tate rebrand

Brokerage, Howard Hanna, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, HWmember, North Carolina, Real Estate, South Carolina /

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is making its formal debut in North Carolina and South Carolina.  According to an announcement on Tuesday, Allen Tate Realtors is rebranding as Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, effective Sept. 12. While this is the first time the Howard Hanna brand has entered the Carolinas, Allen Tate has been

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VA’s John Bell III stepping into new role at Office of Mission Support

Government Lending, HWmember, LendingLife, Mortgage, Team Leaders, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Loan, Veterans /

Longtime U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) executive and mortgage professional John Bell III announced on LinkedIn that he’s leaving his role as executive director of the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service (LGY). Bell’s post on Monday touted his key accomplishments at the VA, such as increasing its mortgage market share from less than 1% to

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20 of the best real estate Instagram accounts to follow

Real Estate, Real Estate Marketing, Vetted by HousingWire /

With its focus on photos and videos, Instagram is a great place for real estate agents to showcase their listings and personalities. It allows agents to be visible to their existing network while expanding their networks and gaining new followers (prospective clients). You can build trust over time with your audience by posting consistently, and

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