Originations

New proprietary reverse mortgages hit the market this spring

With tappable home equity near historic highs and a preference among a majority of baby boomers to remain in their homes, several reverse mortgage lenders have recently launched products to capture the greater opportunity in this part of the market.   Demographic trends suggest a market primed for growth and current interest rate levels also make […]

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Monthly mortgage payments on the rise, but not for long

Homebuyers in the current Spring season are having to come up with larger monthly principal and interest payments, although a measure of relief might be on the way. The Mortgage Bankers Association Purchase Application Payment Index rose to $2,186 in April from $2,173 in March, although it is down from $2,256 one year ago. “Homebuyer

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Mortgage rates rise again to highest level since February

Mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week, and are now at their highest level since the start of February, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.89% on May 29, up 3 basis points from last week when it was 6.86%, but below one year ago at this

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US pending home sales drop by most since 2022 on mortgage rates

Pending sales of previously owned US homes last month fell by the most since September 2022, illustrating a disappointing spring selling season as prospective buyers balk at high asking prices and borrowing costs.  READ MORE: Spring housing outlook: not all bad news An index of contract signings dropped 6.3% in April to 71.3, according to

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Condos losing appeal among real estate investors

While real estate investment purchases are falling into more stable patterns following wild pandemic-era swings, condo activity is lagging, falling to a 10-year low, according to Redfin. U.S. investors bought a total of 46,726 units in the first quarter, up 2% year over year, the real estate brokerage reported. Early 2025 activity recovered from the

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Tariff fears drive April auto, mortgage borrowing

The anticipated impact of tariffs pushed consumers toward big-ticket items in April, but overall borrowing levels also show them becoming more discerning in light of political developments, according to Vantagescore. Researchers noted earlier this year the likelihood of a bump in certain types of purchases before the implementation of various tariff measures proposed by President

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Next Level Education acquires Summit Mortgage Training

Looking to expand its operation on the East Coast, Next Level Education, a provider of continuing education for the mortgage industry, has acquired Summit Mortgage Training. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Summit is headquartered in Hanover, New Jersey and in addition to its home state, operates in Pennsylvania and Florida. Andrea Gagliardi, who

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The rise in home prices slowed in March as buyers pulled back

Home-price gains in the US slowed in March as listings climbed without a corresponding uptick in buyer demand. A national gauge of prices was up 3.4% from a year earlier, according to data from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller. That was smaller than the 4% annual increase in February. READ MORE: Mortgage rates keep rising, influenced by

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Mortgage firms reframe DEI amid policy shift

President Trump’s housing regulators have touted their efforts to dismantle federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in pursuit of reducing spending and waste. As a result, the conversation around mortgage lenders’ efforts to serve communities identified by specific racial or cultural backgrounds have been further politicized, leaving these shops in the awkward position of determining

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