Foreclosure starts are notably up from last summer as the strain of today’s high-cost environment is affecting more borrowers. Lenders began the foreclosure process on 24,254 properties last month, up more than 17% from last August according to Attom. The total 35,697 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings last month represented 1 in every 3,987 homes […]
Foreclosure starts jump 17% as borrower strain mounts Read More »
Cost optimization is key to creating success in the world of mortgage servicing. Mortgage servicers have dedicated significant resources in pursuit of optimized processes and prices, as every fraction of the cent saved contributes to the bottom line. Servicers are laser-focused on enhancing throughput efficiency, applying advanced technology to automate and streamline every step from
Uncovering the hidden costs of investor reporting in mortgage servicing Read More »
Evidence of homeowners’ desire to refinance at the first signs of falling mortgage rates appeared in August’s data as rate-and-term transactions hit a 2025 high. Rate-and-term locks accelerated 69.8% from the prior month, according to Optimal Blue’s Market Advantage report. Compared to August 2024, though, volumes finished 8.7% lower. Cash-out refinances also saw a monthly
Rate-and-term refi activity hits 2025 high mark Read More »
Recent mortgage fraud discussions have been centered on high-profile occupancy misrepresentation cases, but the bigger question is how these claims can be proven and what level of risk they pose to the industry. For one, the allegations to date, such as a Trump administration criminal referral that a Federal Reserve Board member is fighting, typically
Occupancy fraud scrutiny raises questions for lenders Read More »
Congress faces tough budget negotiations this month over the National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization and other issues, putting the single-family mortgage market on alert. Without a NFIP renewal by Sept. 30, flood coverage could lapse and a broader congressional impasse could cause a new government shutdown, requiring workarounds. What follows are a few of the
How lenders can prep for NFIP lapse, shutdown Read More »
A securitization trustee is petitioning the Supreme Court to hear New York’s Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act, but the wheels of justice turn slowly, in the interim the law raises concerns for various industry stakeholders. “They haven’t decided whether to review it or not, but that will be conferenced by the justices of the Supreme Court,”
FAPA disrupts market as petition pends before Supreme Court 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 »
While the mortgage industry has applauded the Trump administration’s push to restore a partial claim option for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, many experts warn it may arrive too late to help thousands of struggling borrowers. The program could prevent many defaults and foreclosures, but the implementation timeline is critical, they added. In statement
VA mortgage partial claim restoration faces timing challenges Read More »
Some mortgage delinquency data raised concerns, but Cotality’s Q2 report also showed a positive sign: late loans aren’t progressing to more serious stages. The total delinquency rate rose on a quarter-to-quarter basis for the period ended June 30, trending higher after a drop-off for the period ended March 31, the Loan Performance Indictors report said.
Regional real estate pockets are showing stress in 2Q Read More »
Housing finance firms have been adding staff as falling mortgage rates look more likely, with stronger overall job growth raising the chances of modest business gains for the industry. “This is likely to support some additional decline in rates, which will offer opportunities at the margin for people to buy,” said Doug Duncan, former chief
Mortgage firms add staff as rate cuts look likely Read More »