Lenders look to remote online notarization; Ocrolus offers rep-and-warrant coverage for income calculations; ICE offers tool to facilitate reconsiderations of appraisals; Planet Home launches products to help borrowers compete with cash offers; property insurance costs rise nearly 20%; Flagstar plans tech accelerator program; disconnect on homebuyers’ plans and saving for a downpayment.
In recent months, when interest rates have declined even slightly, loan applications have jumped, indicating that potential borrowers are keeping a close eye on interest rates. There could also be some relief on affordability as the inventory of homes for sale increased in February.
Lower-income households with mortgages have to make difficult budget choices to accommodate the resumption of student loan payments, new research showed. Overall, though, the payment restart is expected to have modest effects on mortgage performance.
Cyberattack will cost loanDepot at least $12 million; average borrower has nearly $300,000 in home equity; home prices overvalued across the country; MSR gain some value; new servicing platform from Sagent; MCT offers TBA pricing indicators; lender launches real estate platform.
FDIC call-report data show mortgage banking income at banks and thrifts declined by a quarter sequentially, although full-year profits dropped by just 4%. Chase was easily the most profitable bank in the mortgage sector. (Includes data table.)
The Community Home Lenders of America last week wrote to the CEOs of credit bureaus Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, asking them to roll back recent price increases on soft credit pulls.
The banking industry reported a slight contraction in its servicing for others in the fourth quarter of 2023. Wells Fargo accounted for a significant share of the industry’s decline. (Includes data table.)
One area of particular concern among quality control regulators is mortgage servicing rights transfers, a Mortgage Quality Management & Research vice president said last week.