Kraninger won't make sudden moves with GSE patch; Freddie Mac launches AUS self-employment assessment tool; more.

Lenders originating fix-and-flip loans and mortgages for single-family investment properties are seeing strong demand from investors in the secondary market.

Lower GSE loan limit not a priority for SFIG; whole loans present alternative to non-agency MBS for investors; jumbo MBS issuance may wane with home price appreciation...

Banks originating non-agency mortgages could better compete with the government-sponsored enterprises if the threshold for appraisal exemptions in case of residential real estate properties is raised, industry participants said.

In the past weeks, two lenders active in jumbo mortgages — TIAA Bank and HomeStreet Bank — announced plans to downsize their operations.

Redwood Trust’s mortgage banking income in the fourth quarter was essentially level compared to the previous quarter even with lower origination volume and strong competition in the non-agency market.

Originations of non-agency jumbo mortgages declined in the fourth quarter as well as full year 2018, according to an Inside Nonconforming Markets analysis. The sector also lost market share with lenders noting weak demand. [Includes one data chart]

Redwood Trust announced last week that it plans to acquire 5 Arches, an originator and asset manager of business-purpose real estate loans. Redwood acquired a 20 percent stake in the lender last year with an option to fully ac-quire the Irvine, CA-based company.

Mortgages originated with a balance between $10.0 million and $20.0 million have surged in recent years, according to an analysis by CoreLogic.

The expansion-minded New Residential Investment Corp., New York, seems to have a thing for self-employed borrowers: Most of its recent non-agency MBS deals are stuffed with the product.