Why Your USDA Loan Just Got Cheaper
After increasing the price of a USDA-insured mortgage last year, the Rural Housing Service has now slashed the associated fees to make them much more… Read More »Why Your USDA Loan Just Got Cheaper
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.
Why Don’t More People with High-Rate Mortgages Refinance?
If you have a mortgage, you’ve undoubtedly had some company urge you to refinance, especially right now with mortgage rates being as low as they… Read More »Why Don’t More People with High-Rate Mortgages Refinance?
Mortgage Lender Offers to Share Servicing Income with Its LOs
A Virginia-based mortgage lender has launched a loan officer compensation plan that provides originators with a piece of the loan servicing fee. Typically, a loan… Read More »Mortgage Lender Offers to Share Servicing Income with Its LOs
It’s Now Easier to Get a Mortgage Without a Credit Score
Fannie Mae has rolled out a new version of its automated writing system, known as Desktop Underwriter® (DU®) Version 10.0. The new version has a… Read More »It’s Now Easier to Get a Mortgage Without a Credit Score
Morty: The Mortgage Broker 2.0
There’s yet another mortgage disruptor in town, the latest goes by the name of “Morty.” Sounds like a play on the word mortgage…or someone’s last… Read More »Morty: The Mortgage Broker 2.0
Women Are Better at Paying the Mortgage Despite Worse Terms
A new study from the Urban Institute reveals that women are better at paying the mortgage despite receiving less favorable terms than men. This despite… Read More »Women Are Better at Paying the Mortgage Despite Worse Terms
Permanent HARP Refinance Replacements Have Been Unveiled
A little over a year ago, I wrote that HARP had received its final extension. I affixed the word “probably” to the end of it… Read More »Permanent HARP Refinance Replacements Have Been Unveiled
Airbnb Is Reportedly Messing Up Mortgage Applications
If you’ve been renting out your own house or condo via Airbnb, or a similar service like HomeAway or FlipKey, you might have more difficulty… Read More »Airbnb Is Reportedly Messing Up Mortgage Applications
Zillow: Homes Would Be Worth More Without the Housing Bubble
A new analysis from Zillow reveals that many homes would actually be worth a lot more today had there been no housing bubble back in… Read More »Zillow: Homes Would Be Worth More Without the Housing Bubble
Quicken Loan’s 1% Down Mortgage Program
It seems just about everyone is lowering mortgage down payment requirements to deal with rising home prices, this despite the near-record low mortgage rates still… Read More »Quicken Loan’s 1% Down Mortgage Program