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.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union, commonly known as PenFed, has entered the arena of lending money to nonbank primary market originators. Details? So far, there are few.
With interest rates on the rise, refinance volume is expected to drop in 2022. Purchase-mortgage lending could hit a record level, but it won’t fully offset the loss in refis, putting pressure on margins.
Local concentration of mortgage lending may not raise interest rates, but it does increase fees and points, especially for low-income and minority borrowers.
Less than 30% of younger recent homebuyers report feeling that mortgage lenders are “trustworthy and reliable.” Millennials and Generation Z also are heavily reliant on the internet to fill gaps in financial education.
UWM accepted six mortgage payments with cryptocurrency before ending the pilot program; closing costs increased in the first half of 2021; Fannie strengthened underwriting standards for condos and co-ops.
Sales to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac saw larger concentrations of higher-risk mortgages, in both the purchase and refinance sectors. But high-FICO loans continue to account for most GSE business. (Includes two data charts.)