Some $13.26 billion of high-balance mortgages were included in agency MBS issued during the third quarter of 2025. Nine months into the year, agency high-balance sales were down somewhat on an annual basis, with the decline concentrated in sales to the GSEs. (Includes three data tables.)

Long-time industry analyst Chris Whalen said the GSE plans to disqualify some types of capital from use to calculate net worth.

The Senate-approved ROAD to Housing Act was dropped from a 2026 defense bill. However, House Republicans indicated that they’re working toward legislation to address housing affordability.

Banks have deprioritized refinance recapture due to changes in capital requirements and an emphasis on high-net worth borrowers.

Housing affordability has improved due to slowing home price appreciation and growing inventory but it is still lagging historical levels.

Among the three origination channels, only broker production increased during the third quarter. The broker share of originations neared 20% again during the quarter. (Includes six data tables.)

Conforming loan limits for mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will rise by 3.3% in 2026, the smallest increase since 2017.

Several large lenders are offering discounts and promotions to drum up business during a slow time of the year.

While government-insured mortgages are assumable, few assumptions are completed due to various obstacles. GSE mortgages were also assumable until the 1980s, when legal issues prompted a change.

The Basel III re-proposal could include relief for mortgages; FICO to release historical data for 10T score.