Interplay between debt ceiling and mortgage interest rates; mortgage employment declines; rate locks down; Rithm considers spin-off; Planet Financial looking for lenders; new LO recruiting software; Blend’s market share grows; Black Knight’s margins; new appraisal marketplace; MISMO requests for comment.

About 48% of potential first-time buyers are saving up to buy a new home and get out of the monthly rental cycle.

Technology and mortgage industry experts will team up to develop solutions to improve the digital mortgage experience, reduce costs and improve access to mortgage finance.

Correspondent sales in 2022 declined by nearly 50%, in line with total originations. Among the top correspondent sellers, trends varied, based on an analysis of HMDA data. (Includes data chart.)

The value of a median-priced home has appreciated by $190,000 over the past 10 years, the National Association of Realtors said in a report this month.

Profitability outlook; Fitch downgrades Home Point’s corporate ratings; UWM aims to limit trigger leads; New American Funding looking for joint ventures; new initiatives at MISMO.

Bureau appeals Townstone Financial ruling; Chopra to host discussion on zombie second mortgages; CFPB seeks $3.16 billion penalty.

Private mortgage insurers gained market share in the agency purchase market during the first quarter, even as securitization of insured mortgages declined. (Includes two data charts.)

The San Diego-based capital markets advisor’s white paper walks originators through the theory of pipeline hedging.

Although the COVID-19 national emergency was terminated earlier this week, the trend of remote work among mortgage loan officers continues to grow.