VA partial claims bill passes in House; nominee for FHA commissioner expected to have industry experience; Pulte touts big find at Fannie.

In the current interest rate environment, homebuilders seem to favor offering mortgage buydowns rather than reducing prices. Officials at mortgage companies fear the buydown activity is inflating home prices.

The Trump administration last week nominated Jonathan McKernan — who was awaiting Senate confirmation as CFPB director — as undersecretary of domestic finance at the Department of the Treasury.

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee marked up a bill to establish a partial claims program as the last-resort home retention option for borrowers with VA-backed loans.

The CFPB preserved several mortgage-related policy documents, as it undergoes a review of all previously issued guidance items under new leadership.

Among other changes, Fannie and Freddie increased the cap on interested party contributions from $500 to $2,500.

Researchers say that, at any given credit score, the cross-subsidies inherent in GSE pricing favor higher-income borrowers over lower-income borrowers.

MSR investors see risks and benefits in rising costs for property taxes and insurance; child receives offer from mortgage lender.

Fitch Ratings analysts seek feedback on a framework for interpolating climate change risk into bond ratings.

Prices for mortgage servicing rights remain strong as the supply of servicing for sale is declining and investors are hungry for more. MSRs tied to both low interest rates and high interest rates are being met with sustained demand.