Institutional investors are increasingly scooping up affordable single-family homes, creating an unlevel playing field for low-income first-time homebuyers, affordable housing advocates said at a recent HUD event.
Interest rates keep falling but has a trough been reached? And if so, have REITs been bottomfishing in conventional MBS? Also, what’s the outlook for 2023 in terms of capital raises?
Activity at the GSEs is moving away from areas where the non-agency market could compete with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Cash-out refi business could be the next category to take a hit as FHFA has directed the GSEs to increase upfront pricing. (Includes data chart.)
While interest rate hikes are deflating originations, lenders aren’t budging much on underwriting standards for purchase mortgages, based on an analysis of mortgages delivered to the GSEs in the third quarter. (Includes two data charts.)
Among purchase mortgages with primary mortgage insurance, GSE volume declined in the third quarter while FHA and VA volume increased. California also lost its spot as the top source of loans with MI. (Includes two data charts.)
A number of lenders have started offering conforming mortgages with balances as high as $715,000, even though the GSE loan limit is $647,200 through the end of this year. As with prior years, the lenders are anticipating higher loan limits for the GSEs next year.
Much like in other parts of the MBS and ABS markets, spreads are widening on CRT issuance from the GSEs, prompting some changes in activity at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.