During the next 12 months, investors will have to navigate through numerous uncertainties, including all forms of policy risk: monetary, fiscal, economic and the fate of the GSEs.
In the latest year-end closeout of buyback deals before the ball drops on 2013, Flagstar Bancorp announced late Monday that it has entered into an agreement with Freddie Mac to resolve substantially claims that the bank sold faulty mortgage loans to the GSE between 2000 and 2008.
Ratings on servicer advance asset-backed securities issued by Home Loan Servicing Solutions and Nationstar Mortgage could be downgraded due to a change in rating criteria by Standard & Poors that was implemented after the ABS were issued.
Two Harbors' recent move to gain access to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines through an insurance affiliate will add a dedicated funding source for Two Harbors, and while limitations and restrictions will apply, it should alleviate some market concern regarding the potential for declining liquidity in the repo market.
Year-over-year through October 2013, the CoreLogic House Price Index appreciated more than 12 percent nationwide, with prices nationally now 16 percent above the low in the fourth quarter 2011, according to CoreLogics December MarketPulse report released Monday.
What's ahead for residential lenders and servicers in 2014? You might be surprised at some of our predictions. Hint: The servicing market looks good, at least.
The recent decline in large-lender share of the primary market is temporary, and principally a result of cyclical factors that caused larger lenders to pull back from the market, said Fannie Mae's Gerry Flood.
Freddie Mac reported new buyback demands on $3.3 billion of mortgages during the third quarter, a stunning 31 percent increase from the previous period.