It’s possible that some large lenders are offering 2025 conforming loan limits that are higher than where FHFA will set the limits. If that’s the case, there could be complications but no major concerns.

Borrower demand for home equity loans is expected to continue even as interest rates decline. Meanwhile, nonbank lenders are working to compete with depository institutions for the production.

Home equity investments allow homeowners to receive cash in exchange for a share in home price appreciation. Activity in the sector has grown to the extent that there was a conference dedicated to HEIs last week.

Second-quarter acquisitions increased at the government-sponsored enterprises, but profits remained stable as credit reserves shifted.

Investors are increasingly turning to the mortgage market to fund their home purchases rather than paying all cash.

The Treasury Department announced $100 million in affordable housing funding, while HUD named recipients of its Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant competition.

Investor purchases of single-family rentals are on the rise, with many of the new rentals being owned by smaller independent investors.

Non-QM lenders are bullish about the sector’s potential despite headwinds in the housing market.

Banks reduced their non-agency jumbo lending in the early months of 2024, with nonbanks picking up some of the slack. Deliveries of high-balance mortgages into agency MBS also declined in the first quarter. (Includes three data tables.)

The private market is providing adequate liquidity for closed-end second liens, according to the American Bankers Association. The trade group also questioned Freddie Mac’s motivations for a proposal to acquire seconds.