Home equity loans

What fraud risks do HELOCs pose?

Forged checks, false occupancy claims and scams on senior citizens are among the schemes  lenders should be aware of as growing interest in home equity lending catches the attention of fraudsters.  While home equity lines of credit have been available for decades, the rapid acceleration of mortgage rates over the past three years is raising […]

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How the secondary market is shaping home equity strategies

Nondepository origination of home equity products has been growing as traditional mortgage opportunities have waned, leading to increased reliance on secondary market buyers whose interest may vary over time. And while investors’ collective involvement has generally kept pace with increased production as lenders have originated more second liens, volatility in broader markets has led to

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Home equity lending is flourishing as HELOC rates fall

Home equity lending hasn’t been this hot in almost two decades.  Second-lien equity withdrawals approached 2008 levels in the recent first quarter, according to Intercontinental Exchange. Homeowners grabbed nearly $25 billion in home equity lines of credit, while overall first quarter equity withdrawals, including cash-out refinances, totaled $45 billion.  Introductory rates on second-lien HELOCs fell

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New proprietary reverse mortgages hit the market this spring

With tappable home equity near historic highs and a preference among a majority of baby boomers to remain in their homes, several reverse mortgage lenders have recently launched products to capture the greater opportunity in this part of the market.   Demographic trends suggest a market primed for growth and current interest rate levels also make

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