The two biggest components of the residential mortgage market – conventional loans below the conforming loan limits and government-insured mortgages – saw measurable declines in new originations in early 2013, according to a new Inside Mortgage Finance analysis and ranking. The conventional-conforming market – nearly all of which is financed through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securitization – fell to an estimated $333.0 billion during the first quarter of 2013. That was down 5.4 percent from the fourth quarter of last year, but the sector still accounted for a hefty 66.6 percent of total originations during the period. The conventional-conforming market share hasn’t changed...[Includes two data charts]

Mortgage lenders that specialize in refinance lending have made a killing the past few years, especially call center operations with state-of-the-art technology. But is now the time for these firms to take their chips off the table or ponder a merger with more traditional lenders that have ties to real estate brokers and homebuilders? Paul Reddam, founder and president of CashCall, a top 30 lender, told Inside Mortgage Finance that he would be open to selling the company. “We would entertain an offer at any time,” said Reddam, who first made a name for himself in mortgages with Ditech Lending early last decade. Reddam noted...

The lack of a specific computer code for reporting short-sale mortgage transactions is creating numerous false reports of foreclosure on consumer credit reports, inhibiting their re-entry into the housing market, according to lawmakers on Capitol Hill and consumer advocates. Earlier this month, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, dispatched letters to the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau citing the “disturbing” consumer credit reporting practice of lumping short sale within the same industry code as a foreclosure in consumers’ credit reports. “If a short sale is reported...

Ginnie Mae issuers may buy out mortgage loans that are due but unpaid for four consecutive installments even if the borrower has made partial payments.

Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and elsewhere cite evidence of a “creeping goal line” to move back by 12 months the June 1, 2009, cut-off date for HARP eligibility.

Reps. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV and Sean Duffy, R-WI, respectively chairman and vice chairman of the subcommittee, had not viewed the CFPB’s analysis on QM.

Sen. Warner recently paid a visit to Freddie Mac employees but offered little information about his pending GSE bill.

Fannie and Freddie were ordered by their regulator to sell illiquid securities. But those bonds may fetch a nice price in the secondary market.

Are Fannie Mae and Freddie mac sitting on huge untapped profits?

Many smaller mortgage lenders are looking for alternatives to selling loans to large national aggregators like Wells Fargo.