The Fed hiked short-term rates 75 basis points Wednesday, adding to uncertainty about originations. One thing is for certain: The refi game is over.

One economist is blaming the increasing tendency among older homeowners to stay in their homes for longer as one of the key reasons for the housing inventory crunch.

The social equity program offers downpayment assistance to residents and descendants of those who lived in Denver between 1938 and 2000.

Word is spreading that CrossCountry Mortgage of Brecksville, OH, is in the hunt to buy other lenders. As for who, that’s a different matter.

Higher interest rates didn’t have much of an impact on home price appreciation in March; Freddie Mac launched new automated underwriting capabilities; Fitch shifts its outlook for ratings of Finance of America Companies to negative; MISMO remains busy.

As retail and correspondent loan sales to the agencies fell by 20%, lenders became visibly less discerning about credit quality, with credit scores dropping and DTI/LTV ratios rising. (Includes two data charts.)

If projections by the MBA are correct, interest rates for mortgages are levelling off, which should relieve some of the pressure lenders are facing on originations and profit margins.

A growing sector in home financing involves power buyers, who with all-cash offer guarantees help homebuyers compete against investors.

Chairman Mat Ishbia suggests those calling for cost reductions and layoffs at United Wholesale Mortgage don’t understand the lender; impact of Biden administration’s housing plan expected to be “limited;” mortgage costs soaring.

University of Maryland professor Clifford Rossi says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are discussing ways to proactively deal with risks of climate change.