Weak jobs, manufacturing reports provide no relief for mortgage rates

Hurricanes and strikes were expected to dent job creation, and bond market investors are looking ahead to next week’s election, Fed meeting and government bond auctions. Continue reading

Falling rates help boost Fannie and Freddie loan volumes, net worths

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provided backing for $164 billion in purchase mortgages in Q3, up 10 percent from Q2, while growing combined net worths to $147 billion. Continue reading

Inflation cooled in September, nearing the Fed’s 2% target

Mortgage rates inch up as an expected decline in key inflation gauge does little to change expectations for rate cuts among investors who fund most home loans. Continue reading

Want to build a great team? Start with great core values

Rick Guerrero interviews mortgage leader Gavin Ekstrom about hiring, culture and building a team on a firm foundation. Continue reading

Latest jobs, GDP reports point to November Federal Reserve rate cut

Relief would be good news for would-be homebuyers, although purchase loan applications are still up 10 percent from a year ago as mortgage rates hit highest levels since July. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie will let more buyers off the hook for an appraisal

Appraisal waiver programs that rely on automated valuation models will be expanded next year to allow participation by homebuyers putting less than 20 percent down. Continue reading

Mortgage rates back at 7% as bond market investors stage rebellion

“Bond vigilantes” figure “no matter which party wins the White House and the Congress, fiscal policies will bloat the budget deficit and heat up inflation,” Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni warns. Continue reading

Redlining settlement wouldn’t resolve 1st Amendment questions

The CFPB claimed statements made by hosts of Townstone Financial’s AM radio call-in show and podcasts discouraged Black Chicago residents from applying for a mortgage. Continue reading

Profits roll in at Mr. Cooper as it pursues tech-fueled growth

Deal to acquire Flagstar’s mortgage servicing business and correspondent lending platform is projected to grow Mr. Cooper’s servicing portfolio to $1.59 trillion. Continue reading