Appraisal bias suit against Rocket Mortgage, Solidifi moves forward

Judge rules that appraisal independence regulations do not preclude lenders and appraisal management companies from taking action to remedy biased appraisals. Continue reading

HELOC disruptor Figure boasts $7B market cap after successful IPO

The blockchain-powered home equity lender says it has not only revolutionized the process of originating mortgages, but financing them by making it easy for investors to trade them as assets. Continue reading

Most Americans think mortgage rates and home prices have peaked

The silver lining in deteriorating consumer confidence is that the weaker job market means the Federal Reserve is expected to slash rates several times this year and next, even as tariffs fuel inflation. Continue reading

Rising inflation makes ‘jumbo’ Fed rate cut unlikely next week

Initial jobless claims climbed last week to the highest level since Oct. 23, 2021, but investors and economists are expecting three small rate cuts this year rather than a dramatic move next week. Continue reading

Homebuyer demand surges as mortgage rates tumble to 2025 low

Applications for purchase mortgages hit their highest level since July last week, and rates keep falling on weak jobs reports and more encouraging inflation data Continue reading

Fed Governor Lisa Cook can keep her job pending court appeal

Trump’s move to fire Cook likely violated her right to due process, and “for cause” provision for removal is limited to governor’s behavior in office, judge rules in granting preliminary injunction. Continue reading

Massive downward jobs revision not budging mortgage rates

Rebenchmarking that suggests the U.S. added 911,000 fewer jobs than previously thought generates political heat but was widely expected by economists and investors. Continue reading

Pennymac takes a stake in Vesta, launches non-QM mortgages

A major player in correspondent lending and mortgage servicing, Pennymac is looking to provide more loans directly to consumers through a strategic partnership and investment in mortgage loan origination software provider Vesta. Continue reading

Trump signs bill curtailing sale of mortgage trigger leads in 180 days

After the bill takes effect in March, credit bureaus will still be able to sell trigger leads to a borrower’s current mortgage lender, loan servicer, or any bank or credit union they have an account with. Continue reading

LoanDepot shares surge on bullish call by Citron Research

Andrew Left’s controversial research firm has a thesis: Trump will win the “war on housing,” and that loanDepot’s mortgage servicing business is undervalued. Continue reading