Home loan fee debate heats up in Washington
Trade groups are cautioning Congress and housing regulators against increasing guarantee fees for mortgages, as this could lead to higher mortgage rates. Treasury Secretary, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, and President Trump all want long-term interest rates to fall, which is why they are wary of hiking government-related loan fees. Suggestions have been made to remove higher fees on cer... more
Total Expert launches two-way integration with Dark Matter
Total Expert has launched a two-way integration with Dark Matter's Empower loan origination system, allowing for personalized customer journeys and high-quality data for loan officers. Interest rate movements have been volatile, leading to refinance boomlets. Mortgage rates are expected to continue to fluctuate throughout the year. This integration aims to help lenders stay ahead of consumer expec... more
Mortgage rates at highest since February, Freddie Mac says
Mortgage rates increased over 20 basis points, but stayed below 7%. The increase impacts home buyers, as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.83%, up from the previous week. However, the spring home buying season is stronger this year compared to last year. The mortgage market has been volatile due to factors such as rising Treasury yields and credit spreads. The 7% threshold is important fo... more
Mortgage rates to average 7% in 2Q, MBA says
The Mortgage Bankers Association is predicting mortgage rates to average 7% in the current quarter, with volatility in rates due to President Trump's tariff announcements. Refinance opportunities are expected to increase, but purchase volume is expected to decrease slightly. The forecast also includes expectations of stagflation and a reduction in economic growth. The Federal Reserve is expected t... more
Tariff shock: Where smart money is going in mortgage, housing
The article discusses how recent policy moves have introduced volatility into the market, making it challenging for home buyers to make home-finance investments. Mortgage rates are a key factor impacting home buyers, with experts suggesting various strategies such as investing in mortgage REITs like AGNC Investment Corp. and Two Harbors when rates fall. Warren Buffett's selective sales of housing ... more
Freddie Mac survey: mortgage rates edge lower
The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed a small decrease in mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaging 6.62%. While rates have remained under 7% for several weeks, there have been fluctuations due to economic uncertainties and tariff policies. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a rate of 6.61% in its latest survey, but rates have since increased. Borrowing ... more
Refi boomlet likely as mortgage rates start to fall: ICE
The article discusses how falling Treasury yields and steady mortgage rates are creating a potential mini refinance boom for high-rate homeowners. It mentions that 5.4 million mortgages have rates starting at 6.5% and above, with a large number of borrowers likely to benefit from refinancing. The article also touches on the impact of the Trump administration's tariff announcement on the stock mark... more
Tariff twist boosts mortgage stocks, interest rates still up
Following Pres. Trump's announcement on Truth Social pausing most tariffs, most mortgage and housing stocks were up, except for China where tariffs were increased to 125%. Initially, the housing sector stocks were unaffected by the tariff announcement as the market expected lower mortgage rates. However, the 10-year Treasury yield closed higher on Tuesday, causing mortgage rates to remain elevated... more
Mortgage credit loosens with jumbos at 5-year high
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage credit availability is at its loosest in over two years, with an increase in cash-out refinance products being offered. This has resulted in the Mortgage Credit Availability Index rising to 102.5 in March. Mortgage rates remained relatively stable during the month, with the 30-year fixed rate ranging between 6.6% and 6.7%. The increase in mor... more
How Trump's wild tariff ride has changed mortgages
President Trump's tariff decisions are causing uncertainty in the mortgage industry, with mortgage rates increasing as a result. This has a direct impact on home buyers, as they have seen fluctuations in mortgage rates based on the president's tariff strategy. The article also discusses various legal battles and budget cuts within the industry, as well as initiatives to attract and support top tal... more
Mortgage rates move lower on tariff uncertainty
Mortgage rates saw a slight drop this week as investors reacted to President Trump's tariff announcement, causing anxiety in the market. Rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages have been stable, with slight decreases in recent weeks. The market uncertainty is creating opportunities for some, but not everyone is optimistic. However, some experts believe the dip in mortgage rates could lead to an ear... more
Mortgage hiring rises, U.S. job additions outpace estimates
The article discusses the impact of low mortgage rates on the industry's hiring indicators in February and the unexpected increase in overall U.S. job additions reported for March. Despite the positive job market data, concerns about underlying weakness in the economy and potential inflationary pressures from tariff policies remain. The Federal Reserve is expected to remain cautious with any rate ... more
Rates stall, but spring home buyers move forward
Despite stalling mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, the spring home buying season is still showing positive signs. Purchase applications have reached their highest level since January, with a slight increase in home buying activity. The 30-year fixed rate dropped by just 1 basis point to 6.70%, leading to a 3% increase in conventional purchases and a 2% decrease in government purchase applic... more