The first-time homebuyer share of home sales has trended downward in recent years, though not necessarily due to a lack of demand from potential buyers, according to some industry analysts. One of the biggest drags on purchases by first-time homebuyers appears to be a lack of starter homes for sale, according to analysts at Capital Economics.
According to their financial disclosures and company officials, both GSEs saw a sharp decline in the average guarantee fee they charged on new MBS issued during the fourth quarter…
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac observers are scratching their heads about “minimum return on equity” requirements that the Federal Housing Finance Agency has imposed, somewhat mysteriously, on the two government-sponsored enterprises.
Over the past 12 months, Stearns Lending has jettisoned its delegated correspondent lending platform and recently sold most of its $23.2 billion servicing portfolio, raising new questions about the company’s direction.
Flagstar Bancorp agreed Tuesday to buy the mortgage warehouse loan portfolio from Santander Bank. The deal will make Flagstar the fourth largest warehouse loan provider by commitments.
A key GOP lawmaker is raising concerns about $353 million in funds slated to be paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac toward affordable housing programs, while a liberal-leaning think tank tries to show that a proposed Senate reform plan would do more for affordable housing than critics say.