Rate locks jump; home prices decline for second consecutive month; the remote work factor; website will connect borrowers with brokers; new loan origination system promises “fun.”

The standards-setting organization made tweaks large and small to its model, to smooth out workflow issues between transaction parties, and to allow companies to build new products.

Stakeholders talk about the challenges in sharing MISMO datasets between different parts of the industry.

Mortgage applications increased, affordability improved and defects are down; lenders expand outreach to Hispanic borrowers; Amrock offers cell phone e-close option; Rocket program temporarily reduces interest rates; study on flood risk disclosures; automated fraud detection.

Reali to close and hopes to sell its mortgage origination business; Sun West Mortgage launches cash-offer product with NFT component; delinquencies increase in July; Blend offers home-equity lending product; Fitch confident home prices won’t crash like in 2008; Staircase offers new origination tech.

Industry experts are calling on mortgage lenders to boost spending on cybersecurity given the increased risk of cyberattacks due to work-from-home arrangements.

The House passed the SECURE Notarization Act, which would allow for remote online notarization and set minimum standards. It would also allow for interstate notarizations.

Implementing e-bidding increases the success of foreclosure auctions and reduces price discounts.

Ohio recently became one of 20 states to have some form of legislation or regulation providing remote work opportunities for licensed mortgage loan originators.

Usage of Freddie Mac’s Loan Prospector is largely confined to mortgages that will be delivered to the GSEs while usage of Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter is more widespread in the mortgage market.