For the second year in a row, first-time buyers accounted for over half of agency purchase-mortgage business. Despite a substantial dip in the fourth quarter, overall purchase originations in 2019 hit their highest level in more than a decade.

Low interest rates are great for lenders but servicers are having a tough time of it, especially shops looking to unload product. One dealmaker is advising clients to sell MSRs now before they “vaporize.”

2019 was a banner year for warehouse mortgage providers, thanks to strong nonbank originations in the primary market. And now it appears that 2020 could be even better.