Agency mortgage business is proceeding normally as the partial shutdown of the federal government nears two weeks. FHA processing will likely be slowed, and there are still concerns about IRS transcripts. Federal flood in-surance remains in business.
Brian Benjamin of Two Rivers Mortgage & Investment in Red Bank, NJ, noted that since the bond market rally in late December, “I’ve seen a pickup in calls, but refis are still dead.”
Seasonal factors slowed production of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac MBS during the fourth quarter, although the refi sector showed some resilience in cash-out transactions. [Includes three data charts.]