AGMIT sold off the last of its investments in commercial mortgages in September, with plans to increase investments in non-QMs and other non-agency mortgages.

The switch in QM standards that many lenders had to make in July didn’t have a major impact on spreads between interest rates on mortgages and the average prime offer rate. Most mortgages continue to receive safe harbor QM status.

FHFA scraps plan to allow non-agency mortgages on common securitization platform; non-agency forbearance declines; Redwood makes another venture investment; Plaza resumes non-QM program; FoA allowing jumbo borrowers to use income from ADUs; Invictus hires dv01.

Close to $15 billion of GSE-eligible mortgages have gone into non-agency MBS this year, including many loans for investment properties and second homes. That’s expected to slow due to a removal of restrictions on the GSEs.

Some non-agency lenders are using the newer QM standards, which allow more loans to receive QM status. Others are waiting to see if the CFPB will alter the provisions.

Redwood’s already generating record volume in its lending/aggregation business, with plans to increase activity and expand its footprint. The firm might also eventually drop its real estate investment trust status.

Underwriting based on debt service coverage ratios is on the rise. The loans differ from GSE-eligible mortgages in that underwriting is based on income generated by the property rather than looking to the borrower’s DTI ratio.

Lenders can’t keep up with the demand for non-QMs from investors in the secondary market. Originations are expected to grow when the agency refi wave crashes.

A rise in interest rates near the end of March helped lift ARM originations in the second quarter. Still, the product’s market share remained well below pre-pandemic levels. (Includes data chart.)

For investors willing to shift from the agency MBS market into non-agency deals, the flow of GSE-eligible mortgages in non-agency MBS looks like a good proposition. Lenders, meanwhile, are taking a hit on pricing.