The real estate data for March 2023 had a significant impact on mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in April. Let’s explore how specific factors influenced MBS: Decline in Existing Home Sales and Low Inventory Levels Existing home sales decreased by 2% in March compared to February and 22% from the previous year. This decline indicates reduced demand […]
Industry News
Understanding Climate Risk: Why Mortgage Lenders Prioritize Its Impact
Climate change is causing significant disruptions to natural disasters and weather patterns worldwide, prompting mortgage lenders to acknowledge the implications of emerging threats on the American real estate market. This article explores the reasons why mortgage lenders are closely examining climate risk and its effects on the industry. Defining Climate Risk in Mortgage Lending In […]
Existing Home Sales Rise for First Time in Twelve Months
While the past year-and-a-half took its toll on the real estate market, the latest news offered a glimmer of hope as data saw existing home sales rise. Despite 2021’s massive surge in real estate sales, 2022 generated a lackluster environment. Although the most recent data reflected an increase in home sales, housing inventory still presents […]
Fannie Mae Property Valuation: The New Initiative for 2023
Beginning on April 15th, the new Fannie Mae property valuation initiative launched throughout the United States. Essentially, this revolutionary system encompasses technology, data, and analytics. As a result, it enhances the lending process for every stakeholder, including lenders, Realtors, title agencies, attorneys, homeowners, and homebuyers. Overall, Fannie Mae’s goal is to improve the efficiency and […]
Home Builder Confidence Achieves Highest Level Since September 2022
Over the last year, the real estate market fell into a bit of a slump, home builder confidence included. However, as we turn the corner to spring, confidence levels begin to climb once again. Home Builder Confidence Jumps from 35 to 42 Since the Great Recession of 2009, the United States faced a longstanding housing […]
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: Reasons for Their Massive Surge in Popularity
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are now making up 10% of mortgage, compared to 3% at the beginning of the year. This surge in popularity has many real estate experts and prospective homeowners wondering. What ARMs are, how they work, and what’s making them such a popular choice in 2023. What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? An adjustable-rate […]
December 2022 Real Estate: Applications Plunge at the End of the Year
Overall, the December 2022 real estate scene leaves much to be desired as the year comes to a close. Despite dropping over the last few weeks, higher mortgage rates continue to heavily impact mortgage application volumes. Currently, mortgage application volumes remain near the lowest levels in 25 years. According to the latest data from the […]
Falling Mortgage Rates: Impact on New Home Buyers
Despite a seemingly endless upward trajectory, recent data finally points to falling mortgage rates. Mortgage rates, on a consistent rise over the past year, fell to 6.61%. Thus, mortgage rates decreased nearly half a percentage point since last week. Furthermore, 15-year mortgage rates dropped to 5.98%, nearly half a point drop but still way higher […]
Home Builder Sentiment Declines for Tenth Month in a Row
As mortgage rates to 20-year highs, home builder sentiment declined for the tenth month in a row. Similarly existing home sales fell for the eighth straight month. Further complicating the real estate market, housing inventory presents an ongoing barrier to prospective home sales activity. Despite the longstanding challenge, new construction remains slow. NAHB Survey Indicates […]
Mortgage Refinancing: When is the Best Time for Homeowners?
Fluctuating mortgage rates have many people wondering if it’s still a good time to consider refinancing their mortgage. Rates are higher, but does that mean the window for refinancing is closed? How can you know a good refinancing opportunity when you see it? Is it a Bad Time to Refinance a Mortgage? Though mortgage rates […]