The mortgage market is showing signs of recovery. After years of navigating elevated interest rates that began climbing in late 2021, lenders are seeing a path forward. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) January 2026 Mortgage Finance Forecast projects that single-family mortgage origination volume will increase in 2026 to $2.2 trillion in 2026, up from $2.05 […]
Smart servicing: Why purpose-built software pays off Read More »
Since 1996 when Freddie Mac introduced the industry to the first automated underwriting system (AUS) for GSE-eligible mortgages, a borrower’s credit score has served as one of the most important predictors of mortgage delinquency. For many years thereafter, FICO score was the sole provider of scores to both GSEs’ AUS scorecards. The arrival of VantageScore
Looming risk for mortgage credit and MBS investors from “Lender Choice” Read More »
Kevin Warsh floated plenty of ideas for how he would run the Federal Reserve during his campaign for the job as chair. For Wall Street, few are as cryptic — or potentially consequential — as his call for a new accord with the Treasury Department. Processing Content Warsh has voiced support for overhauling the relationship
Warsh call for Fed-Treasury accord stirs debate in $30 trillion bond market Read More »
A Two Harbors Investment shareholder is suing the REIT to halt its deal with United Wholesale Mortgage, raising accusations around financial disclosures and board members’ stock sales. Processing Content Michael Koblentz also named Two President and CEO William Greenberg and the company’s board of directors as defendants in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in an Illinois
Two Harbors shareholder wants to halt UWM deal over filings Read More »
Affordability continues to improve in 2026, with home-price growth flattening and mortgage rates nearing 6%. Processing Content Early January declines in rates helped push affordability to a four-year high, as the monthly principal and interest payment needed to purchase the average-priced home dropped 7%, or $164, year over year to $2,091, reducing the share of
Affordability hits 4-year high as rates near 6% Read More »
A Maryland-based title and settlement services company has settled claims that it paid fees to real estate agents and brokers in exchange for customer referrals through joint venture arrangements. Processing Content KVS Title created multiple joint venture companies with real estate agents and brokers, including Alliance Title Services, Clear Title Solutions, Eversure Title, Realty Settlement
Title company settles RESPA JV referral claims for $1M Read More »
I was amazed that the last Housing Market Tracker didn’t show much drama from the epic late-January snowstorm that impacted much of the U.S., but today’s tracker data got hit for sure. However, the housing market will be back in full force again soon. Last week, inventory declined, new listings data was negative year over
Housing inventory and new listings show impact of winter weather Read More »
A Friday-morning news report suggesting that the Trump administration is exploring an antitrust probe into U.S. homebuilders landed with its intended shock value. The implication? Washington, having rattled its saber, may be preparing to treat large builders as a concentrated market actor whose behavior is contributing to America’s housing affordability crisis. By late Friday afternoon,
Why antitrust talk may be a pressure tactic — not a probe —against homebuilders Read More »
Lofty is leaning into the next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate, not just assisting agents, but quietly running much of the business for them. The real estate technology company has introduced Lofty AOS, which it describes as the industry’s first agentic AI operating system built specifically for brokerages. Lofty vice president of
Lofty details new agentic AI operating system for real estate agents, brokers Read More »
Homebuilders — many we talk with — are calling today’s selling environment one of “demand uncertainty.” The phrase is clear. Traffic is uneven. Conversions are harder to forecast. Buyers hesitate longer, ask sharper questions, and walk away more often. The label itself may quietly misdirect leadership’s attention toward forces builders cannot control — and away
A spring selling eve – pre-game – note to homebuilding leaders Read More »