Lending was down slightly across products in the third quarter. UWM remained the largest conventional-conforming producer and moved into the top spot among originators of government-insured loans. (Includes two data tables.)

Homebuilders prefer interest rate buydowns over pricing incentives, not only because they’re cheaper, but also because if they lower the price on one home, other buyers will expect the same.

Certain MSR buyers have been willing to pay lofty prices in recent years, hoping to recapture borrowers when interest rates decline. There are some questions about whether the moves will ultimately be profitable.

The lock-in effect is expected to thaw and boost originations, but first-time homebuyers still look to be priced out of the market next year.

Declining interest rates lifted refi lending in the third quarter but couldn’t help the seasonal slowdown in purchase-mortgage originations. Nine months into the year, refi business was up nearly 50% on an annual basis. (Includes five data tables.)

Refi activity at United Wholesale Mortgage and Rocket Mortgage in the third quarter overshadowed any competing lenders.

FHFA Director Bill Pulte touted possibility of a 50-year fixed-rate mortgage. Also under consideration: transferable and portable mortgages.

Lenders urged the regulator to spell out the GSEs’ conservatorship-era obligations that could apply even if Fannie and Freddie are released.

FICO is confident the mortgage market will continue to use its credit scores even as FHFA and credit bureaus push the adoption of VantageScore.

Leaders at Equifax and TransUnion are optimistic that the GSEs’ adoption of VantageScore will lead to revenue moving from FICO to credit bureaus. The officials also defended the tri-merge score process at the GSEs.