Author Archives: Matt Carter

Quicken Loans will officially rebrand as Rocket Mortgage

By Matt Carter | May 12, 2021 - 6:45 pm |May 12, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Quicken Loans will officially rebrand as Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage has eclipsed the Quicken Loans brand in the minds of consumers so the company plans to officially change its name on July 31. Continue reading →

Dip in mortgage rates boosts interest in purchase loans, refinancing

By Matt Carter | May 12, 2021 - 5:14 pm |May 12, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Dip in mortgage rates boosts interest in purchase loans, refinancing

A dip in mortgage rates to the lowest levels since February helped boost applications for both purchase mortgages and refinancing last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports. Continue reading →

Guild Mortgage acquires foothold in the Northeast

By Matt Carter | May 11, 2021 - 9:56 pm |May 11, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Guild Mortgage acquires foothold in the Northeast

After going public last fall, Guild Mortgage is expanding its footprint into the Northeast with an agreement to acquire South Portland, Maine-based Residential Mortgage Services Holdings Inc. for roughly $197 million. Continue reading →

Better is the latest mortgage company to go public

By Matt Carter | May 11, 2021 - 8:24 pm |May 11, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Better is the latest mortgage company to go public

The parent company of Better Mortgage is going public through a merger with a blank-check firm, raising $778 million it can use to grow not only its mortgage business but also its real estate brokerage and title insurance businesses. Continue reading →

End of mortgage payment relief looms for 2.2M homeowners

By Matt Carter | May 10, 2021 - 10:38 pm |May 10, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on End of mortgage payment relief looms for 2.2M homeowners

Many homeowners who were granted forbearance during the pandemic are scheduled to hit 18-month program eligibility limit at the end of September. Continue reading →

Fannie, Freddie must curb appetite as demand for second homes soars

By Matt Carter | May 10, 2021 - 8:10 pm |May 10, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Fannie, Freddie must curb appetite as demand for second homes soars

Demand for second homes and investment properties continues to hold steady at more than double pre-pandemic levels, despite Fannie and Freddie being ordered to limit their appetite for loans backed by these types of properties. Continue reading →

Bad jobs report could hold silver lining for housing

By Matt Carter | May 7, 2021 - 8:13 pm |May 7, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Bad jobs report could hold silver lining for housing

The Fed now has justification to keep a tight lid on interest rates. But some fear that if employers are forced to raise wages too quickly, that could spark inflationary pressures and spook bond investors. Continue reading →

Sellers absolutely have the upper hand in this housing market: Survey

By Matt Carter | May 7, 2021 - 5:13 pm |May 7, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Sellers absolutely have the upper hand in this housing market: Survey

In a first, more people thought April was a bad time to buy a home than a good time, according to Fannie Mae’s latest survey of home purchase sentiment. Continue reading →

Mortgage rates stay under 3 percent for third week in a row

By Matt Carter | May 6, 2021 - 6:29 pm |May 6, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Mortgage rates stay under 3 percent for third week in a row

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stayed beneath 3 percent for the third week in a row, welcome news for would be-homebuyers and homeowners who haven’t refinanced their mortgages yet. Continue reading →

Accurate Group acquires Coast to Coast Title & Escrow

By Matt Carter | May 5, 2021 - 8:07 pm |May 5, 2021 Uncategorized

Comments Off on Accurate Group acquires Coast to Coast Title & Escrow

The deal expands Accurate Group’s presence in the Southeast and strengthens its national title insurance and closing capabilities. Continue reading →