Figure Launches a Piggyback Second Mortgage
Figure Lending has unveiled a new piggyback loan at a time when housing affordability has rarely been worse. Call it a sign of the times,… Read More »Figure Launches a Piggyback Second Mortgage
Mortgage News
The latest real estate and mortgage industry news, digested. Look beyond the headlines to better understand what’s really happening.
I’ve been covering the mortgage industry since 2006, at a time when scores of banks and lenders were closing their doors after some very big boom years.
In fact, you can see my ongoing list of mortgage layoffs and closures if you’re curious just how many companies didn’t survive that period.
Fortunately, the climate has improved considerably since then, despite a big uptick in mortgage rates lately.
This too has led to companies merging or folding entirely, though this time around due to a lack of volume as opposed to an increase in loan defaults.
I strive to write compelling mortgage news stories, whether it’s the top lenders for a given year, a novel mortgage product, new loan limits, or a big policy change.
You can see all my latest mortgage news posts below.
Fannie and Freddie Expand Appraisal Waivers to Even More Home Buyers
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced newly expanded appraisal waivers to reduce costs and help more first-time home buyers purchase a property. The pair… Read More »Fannie and Freddie Expand Appraisal Waivers to Even More Home Buyers
Calque Looks to Solve the Buy Before You Sell Problem
Another fintech has been quietly growing in the mortgage space, looking to solve the age-old “buy before you sell” conundrum. A major challenge for prospective… Read More »Calque Looks to Solve the Buy Before You Sell Problem
Is It Time to Bring Back the Mortgage Prepayment Penalty?
When the housing market crashed in the early 2000s, new mortgage rules emerged to prevent a similar crisis in the future. The Dodd-Frank Act gave… Read More »Is It Time to Bring Back the Mortgage Prepayment Penalty?
Is Home Equity Lending Really That Crazy Today?
I came across a report from CoreLogic the other day that said home equity loan lending increased to its highest level since 2008. Whenever anyone… Read More »Is Home Equity Lending Really That Crazy Today?
UWM Is Now Offering 90% LTV Cash Out Refis. Should We Worry?
The nation’s largest mortgage lender, UWM, has launched a new 90% LTV cash-out refi to drum up more business. While it’s being sold to mortgage… Read More »UWM Is Now Offering 90% LTV Cash Out Refis. Should We Worry?
Those Double-Digit Mortgage Rates from the 80s Required You to Pay Points Too!
Even though mortgage rates have fallen quite a bit from their highs seen a year ago, they remain quite elevated relative to much of the… Read More »Those Double-Digit Mortgage Rates from the 80s Required You to Pay Points Too!
Is This as Good as Mortgage Rates Get For Now?
Well, it’s been over a week since the Fed cut rates and mortgage rates went up. While this may have come as a surprise to… Read More »Is This as Good as Mortgage Rates Get For Now?
Mesa Wants to Reward You for Every Dollar You Spend on Your Home
There is apparently a “home cost crisis,” and a new fintech company called Mesa is looking to solve that. It’s no secret that home prices… Read More »Mesa Wants to Reward You for Every Dollar You Spend on Your Home
Fed Rate Cut, But Mortgage Rates Up: What Gives?
Anyone who works in the industry probably saw this coming. But those who don’t might be left scratching their head. Yesterday, the Fed finally pivoted… Read More »Fed Rate Cut, But Mortgage Rates Up: What Gives?