A new survey shows that higher interest rates may not be the only thing stopping homeowners from moving.

Freedom Mortgage more than doubled its production from the fourth quarter to the first. Mike Patterson, COO of the nonbank, said the growth was driven by attractive loan characteristics.

At the end of March, the REIT valued its MSRs at 165 bps, the highest “mark” since the first quarter of last year...

The top-line originations number held steady compared with the fourth quarter while movements in the mortgage market occurred beneath the surface. United Wholesale Mortgage regained its position as the largest lender in the first quarter.

Potential homebuyers are showing stronger demand for mortgages than they were a year ago, even though interest rates are higher now. Economists at Fannie Mae revised their projections for mortgage originations upward last week.

United Wholesale Mortgage was the largest lender in 2023. Only 19 of the top 100 lenders increased their production during the year. (Includes data table.)

The malaise surrounding residential lending continued in the first quarter. The expectation is that nonbanks will continue to snatch market share from the big boys, but profitability will remain elusive.

Although BofA experienced a sequential drop in home lending, it was better than the -22.2% downdraft reported by Wells Fargo.

Non-QM lenders appear to be faring a little better than their conventional and government brethren...

Wells Fargo and Chase reported declines in mortgage originations during the first quarter of 2024.