Gains and losses amid market shifts: Q2 2024 earnings

The Q2 earnings are in: From Zillow’s revenue boost to RE/MAX’s struggles, Jessi Healey breaks down who’s up and who’s down. Continue reading

Fannie, Freddie mulling tighter rules for multifamily lenders

Concerns about fraud mean lenders who want to sell multifamily loans to the mortgage giants may be required as soon as this summer to do more due diligence on borrowers and their properties. Continue reading

Private mortgage insurers again losing market share to FHA, VA

FHA premium cuts spur growth, but borrowers with stellar credit can still do better taking out conventional Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-eligible mortgages with private mortgage insurance. Continue reading

Mortgage lenders gearing up to use more inclusive credit scoring

Release of historical credit scores on tens of millions of loans will help lenders prepare for transition to VantageScore 4.0 next year. Release of FICO Score 10 T data next on deck. Continue reading

Debate over title insurance alternatives is heating up again

Republican attorneys general in 14 states urge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s federal regulator to kill a pilot program that allows some borrowers to refi without obtaining title insurance. Continue reading

Big drop in mortgage rates fuels refis, but homebuyers unmoved

One issue for would-be homebuyers seeking jumbo mortgages is that rates haven’t come down as dramatically as they have for conforming mortgages eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Continue reading

Fraud allegations against rental owners reach new high

Regulators and prosecutors are cracking down on landlords who’ve been falsifying income and expense data on crucial loan documents, according to a new feature published by “The Wall Street Journal.” Continue reading

Freddie Mac will dip a $2.5B toe into the second mortgage market

Modest pilot program approved by federal regulators was opposed by banks who have traditionally provided most home equity loans. Nonbank lenders have already made inroads into the business. Continue reading

CoStar Group taps Christian Lown of Freddie Mac as new finance chief

Freddie Mac Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Christian Lown will be taking his talents to CoStar Group in July, executives announced. Lown departs Freddie Mac on June 28. Continue reading

UWM’s 0-down loans a hit with buyers, worry consumer advocates

Unlike subprime loans that were subjected to minimal underwriting standards in the runup to the housing crash and 2007-09 Great Recession, UWM’s zero-down loans have to meet criteria set by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Continue reading