Refi promotion at A&D and DSCR expansion; Hometap brings new HEI securitization; Aclara Lending enters the non-QM lender space.

Morningstar plans to create the first ratings criteria specifically for securitization of loans for home improvement projects.

The NAHB projects that new builds of single-family homes will continue to rise in the coming quarters.

Loan officers are increasingly offering clients buy-before-you-sell products to help them beat contingencies issues, according to HomeLight, a provider of buy-before-you-sell products.

Mesa’s funding round included investments from Vera Equity, Redwood Trust Horizons and Clocktower Ventures.

A majority of real estate agents surveyed said it’s business as usual following changes in how buyer’s agent commissions are paid.

The retail channel remained the largest source of nonconforming loans, though the channel’s market share dropped in the first half of 2024.

Conforming loan limits for the upcoming year are usually announced by the FHFA in late November.

Brokers took ground in nonconforming loan originations from retail and correspondent lenders during the first half of 2024. (Includes two data tables.)

As in previous years, several large lenders have announced increases to conforming loan limits ahead of the FHFA’s official release. However, this time there’s a risk that some lenders overshot where conforming loan limits will be set in 2025.