Fewer small-dollar mortgages over the past 20 years kept many low-income consumers from entering the homebuying market, according to participants at a webinar hosted by New America.

A recent study found a vast majority of borrowers prefer to close in-person. Possible lesson: The benefits of new technology should be carefully weighed against its costs, Stratmor says.

Lenders are at the mercy of United Wholesale Mortgage’s pricing decisions, according to UWM’s president and CEO; Finance of America is seeing better returns from reverse mortgage lending than from traditional mortgages; the IRS released guidance on the Homeowner Assistance Fund.

With interest rates on the rise, refinance volume is expected to drop in 2022. Purchase-mortgage lending could hit a record level, but it won’t fully offset the loss in refis, putting pressure on margins.

The 3Q21 shift from refinance to purchase-mortgage lending generally benefited FHA and private MI activity more than the VA market. (Includes two data charts.)

With the refinancing boom waning, experts are suggesting lenders look at low- to moderate-income consumers for growth opportunities.

Although serious-delinquency rates declined at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, the agencies reported a sizable increase in 30-day late payments during the third quarter. (Includes data chart.)

ServiceMac is the second large subservicer to be sold to a title giant in less than three years. The reason: Title shops love fee-based businesses.

Institutional investors have several advantages compared to owner-occupant borrowers when it comes to purchasing homes that need substantive repairs.

Fitch revised its outlook for Provident Funding Associates to negative due to competition in the wholesale channel but upgraded its rating of UMM’s unsecured debt. MISMO is seeking comments on tech that would help obtain MI quotes.