Would-be homebuyers rushed to lock in mortgage rates in March

Despite the fastest one-month rise in mortgage rates in nearly 13 years, purchase lock volume climbed 31 percent from February. Continue reading

Homeowners slam brakes on refinancing as mortgage rates rise

Prospect of higher monthly mortgage payments for homebuyers and impact on affordability also a concern, according to an analysis of mortgage pipeline data by Black Knight. Continue reading

Buyer demand for mortgages jumps for first time in almost a month

With low for-sale inventory keeping home price appreciation in many markets at record highs, the jump in FHA purchase applications is potentially a sign that more first-time buyers are finding purchase options despite the high prices. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie will eliminate mortgage refinancing fee starting Aug. 1

Homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages could have an easier time getting a lower rate, with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s federal regulator eliminating a 50-basis point refinancing fee that was intended to help the mortgage giants cover at leas… Continue reading

How mortgage lenders are preparing for the end of the refi boom

While most mortgage executives continue to see direct-to-consumer lenders like Rocket Mortgage as their biggest competition, mortgage brokers are seen as an increasingly worthy rival. Continue reading

HUD sends $690M to states for affordable housing

The Housing Trust Fund is funded by a fee on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and devoted to affordable housing for low- and extremely low-income households. Continue reading

5 ways the pandemic mortgage boom has changed the market

Mortgage experts Ann Thompson and Christian Wallace share how the pandemic changed the mortgage market and what it means for today’s consumers. Continue reading