New downpayment assistance programs and tracking of rental payment history for underwriting purposes are among the suggestions put forward by two Urban Institute researchers.

Most REITs reported declines in the fair value of their agency MBS during the first quarter of 2024. Non-agency MBS holdings were up, as were net TBA positions. (Includes two data tables.)

Ginnie Mae plans to release a term sheet next month on a new securitization product backed by home equity conversion mortgages.

Time to REIT-up for United Wholesale Mortgage? Not really, company management said recently. Just two A-paper nonbank lender/servicers — Freedom Mortgage and PennyMac — have jumped into the REIT pond, with different growth outcomes.

It turns out selling securities at a loss wasn’t a strategy for success for banks facing deposit runs in March 2023.

Changes could be underway in the subservicing sector. Number-one ranked Cenlar soon may be out from under OCC regulatory sanctions, while Select Portfolio Servicing takes a second trip to the auction block. (Includes data table.)

During refinance booms, loan officers can be worth their weight in gold but during a downturn LO costs need to be adjusted. That reckoning may be underway now.

The Center for Responsible Lending, the Housing Policy Council and the National Consumer Law Center are asking FHA to allow borrowers to roll closing costs into the balance of their streamline refinance loans.

The AQB is considering other professional work experience as a substitute for the college degree required for some licenses.

Sales of both existing and new homes declined on a monthly basis in April. Still, home sales and mortgage originations are expected to pick up as interest rates decline.