The mortgage employment boom of 2020-2021 is drawing to a close. One ray of hope for the recently laid-off: the non-QM sector.

Soaring home values boosted the national average equity stake in a mortgaged residential home to $185,000 at the end of 2021. The year-over-year gain: $48,000.

Banks that expand mortgage lending beyond their local markets into high-growth areas face some risks, according to findings published by the International Monetary Fund.

Marcia Fudge, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, wants more young people to purchase homes to build wealth.

At minimum, low- and moderate-income homebuyers can benefit from shared-equity homeownership instead of renting.

Leaders of New Residential and PennyMac Financial Services express a negative outlook on GOS; study finds eClosings generate a positive return on investment; Flagstar accepting applications for its mortgage technology accelerator program; borrowers surprised by the paperwork required for a mortgage; RiskSpan teams with Verisk to detail loan-level climate risk.

Among a group of 21 prominent banks that have reported earnings for the fourth quarter, nearly every institution took a hit on mortgage earnings. For many, originations declined along with margins.

As a technical matter, Better.com’s SPAC maneuver is still alive. But with the refinance business waning and gain on sales slipping, the company’s future looks cloudy, at best.

The final rule simplifies regulations on insurance coverage for deposits held in mortgage servicing accounts. But the changes don’t go into effect until April 1, 2024.

Potential first-time homebuyers are facing affordability issues due to elevated home price appreciation. And though home price appreciation is slowing, interest rates are set to rise.