The Bipartisan Policy Center and the Urban Institute this month called on local, state and federal policymakers to help address the critically short supply of housing, especially affordable housing.

Remote online notarization provision dropped from defense bill; credit unions allowed to acquire MSRs from other credit unions; new document processing technology offering; mortgage tech vendor raises capital; automated mortgage assistance product offered to distressed mortgage borrowers, for a fee.

The government watchdog found few instances where lenders incorporated alternative data in their underwriting.

There is some evidence that production was less efficient in the third quarter, but profitability was up anyway. Servicing income was clearly stronger. (Includes data chart.)

Residential funders are beginning to cut costs, holiday season or not. Just how bad might it get?

Call-report data show bank mortgage repurchases fell 9.4% in the third quarter. However, GSE buyback volume continued to climb. (Includes data chart.)

Low-income first-time homebuyers face higher closing costs than others receiving purchase mortgages, according to economists at Fannie Mae. The GSE is suggesting changes that could fix some of that.

An appraisal company failed to note that improvements to a refinanced property happened to encroach on neighboring land, but the lender, First Community Mortgage, couldn’t pin losses on the appraiser.

Foreclosures are down, but forbearance is up. Industry analysts have some theories as to why homeowners aren’t selling, but motivations remain somewhat unclear.

Mortgage originators in disaster-prone areas should monitor the trends that could lead to a sustained rise in property insurance premiums, according to advisory firm SitusAMC.