According to figures compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance, the GSEs took in $16 billion from buybacks during the first six months of 2013. At the same time, lenders succeeded in getting $7 billion in repurchase requests withdrawn.

Mortgage professionals should hang onto their hats. Loan production could plunge by 32 percent in 2014.

“The president believes that Rep. Watt is the very best person to lead the agency at this important time for the housing market and our economy, and that having a confirmed FHFA director in place will help promote certainty for the housing industry,” said a White House spokesman.

Once again, the MSR market is heating up. Sources say a REIT may purchase receivables being offered by Flagstar Bancop.

Mortgage credit is not easing. Meanwhile: Why did the heads of the CFPB and FHFA cut and run at the MBA show?

The nomination of Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, to replace current Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Edward DeMarco may not dead after all.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, announced an agreement to fix unintended consequences (significantly higher premiums) from the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act.

Legislative reform of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA will take years, according to panelists at the Mortgage Bankers Association's annual convention.

The incredibly shrinking refinance market helped continue the shift in the mix of single-family mortgages securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the month of September, according to a new Inside The GSEs analysis.

A year ago, mortgage servicing brokers were seeing five or fewer bidders on bulk offerings. Today, 10 or more bidders show up, many of which are nonbanks or have owners that are hedge funds or private-equity firms.