Beware the New Mortgage Fee Fearmongering
You may have heard there’s a “new mortgage fee.” And you might have been told to hurry up and refinance NOW to avoid said fee.… Read More »Beware the New Mortgage Fee Fearmongering
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 Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Refinances Just Got More Expensive
Way to rain on our parade, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Just when mortgage rates were hitting record lows, the pair decided to add a… Read More »Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Refinances Just Got More Expensive
COVID-19 Is Pushing Home Buyers to Move Sooner
Sometimes you need a little push to get things going, especially when it’s a big something like purchasing a home. Well, it turns out a… Read More »COVID-19 Is Pushing Home Buyers to Move Sooner
UWM’s Exact Rate Lets Borrowers Choose Exact Mortgage Rates
The mortgage industry can be a little bit old school. Similar to how the stock market used to operate in sixteenths, and later eighths, mortgage… Read More »UWM’s Exact Rate Lets Borrowers Choose Exact Mortgage Rates
Homeowners in Forbearance Plans Have Lower Credit Scores, Higher DTI Ratios
The latest weekly Forbearance and Call Volume Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) revealed that 7.80% of outstanding home loans were in forbearance. That… Read More »Homeowners in Forbearance Plans Have Lower Credit Scores, Higher DTI Ratios
Knock Home Swap: Buy, Sell, a Get a Mortgage with Just One Company
One of the trickiest aspects of homeownership is unloading an existing property while acquiring a replacement. Aside from being stressful, it can also be difficult… Read More »Knock Home Swap: Buy, Sell, a Get a Mortgage with Just One Company
A Look Inside the Books of Rocket Companies, Inc.
Thanks to a newly released SEC Form S-1 associated with their upcoming initial public offering (IPO), we now know a lot more about closely held… Read More »A Look Inside the Books of Rocket Companies, Inc.
Now Home Prices Are Expected to Fall By 2021 Thanks to COVID-19
While the housing market has been coming up roses lately, even in the face of COVID-19, it might turn out to be a short-lived affair… Read More »Now Home Prices Are Expected to Fall By 2021 Thanks to COVID-19
The Top 25 Mortgage Lenders of 2019
If you’re curious which mortgage lender closed the most home loans in 2019, I’ve got your answer. You probably already guessed that the top mortgage… Read More »The Top 25 Mortgage Lenders of 2019
Veterans Can Now Get Rates as Low as 2.25% on a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage
It seems mortgage rates keep moving lower and lower, and now some veterans and active duty military might be able to snag a 30-year fixed… Read More »Veterans Can Now Get Rates as Low as 2.25% on a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage