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KBW cuts ratings on mortgage insurers

Even though Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has downgraded the stock rating on three of the five private mortgage insurers it covers, its analysts are still relatively bullish on the segment. Radian, Essent and NMI Holdings have all been dropped to a market perform rating from outperform in large measure because of their strong performance year-to-date, […]

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HUD rescinds 12 FHA policies: What home lenders need to know

Mortgage lenders welcomed the rescissions the Department of Housing and Urban Development made to 12 Federal Housing Administration policies, noting they would make the program more attractive for participants. They could even be a starting point for bringing banks back as originators in this government-insured program. These revisions might affect other segments of the housing

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Researchers find ‘surprise’ in new mortgage delinquency data

Early- and mid-stage mortgage delinquencies saw the biggest yearly increases among all credit products, a development Vantagescore deemed a “surprise”, which “may be demonstrating early signs of borrower financial stress.” The share of mortgages 30-to-59 days behind on payments jumped to 1.03% in May from 0.92% during the same month a year earlier. Among all

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Rocket introduces buy-before-you-sell bridge financing

Rocket Mortgage unveiled a new equity-backed financing product aimed at giving homebuyers an advantage when vying for homes in competitive markets. The Detroit-based lender’s new bridge loan offers prospective buyers the opportunity to draw into their accrued equity to put down an offer on a new purchase while still living in their existing property. Borrowers

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Nonwarrantable condos fuel niche lending boom

In the four years since the Surfside condo collapse, a wave of regulatory changes continues to unsettle property owners and lenders, compounding challenges in an already fragile housing market. The scrutiny on condo developments in the aftermath of Surfside led to tightened lending rules that continue to put properties across the country onto a nonwarrantable

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How to guide military PCS clients through home financing

For many career servicemembers in the U.S. military, relocation is part of the job. Known as a Permanent Change of Station, these reassignments typically happen every two to four years and often involve moving an entire household: spouse, kids, pets and all. This is where lenders and real estate agents can play a critical role

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UWM brings back 1% down conventional mortgage

United Wholesale Mortgage is bringing back a conventional purchase mortgage in which the borrower only has to come up with a 1% down payment. A previous version of the product was last offered in May 2024. With this iteration, the mortgage is available up to the conforming loan limit for buyers at or below 80%

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Banks vs IMBs: who wins the HELOC war?

In the race to capture home equity line of credit customers, non-bank lenders say they have plenty to offer compared to their larger competitors. All mortgage players are staring at a lucrative HELOC opportunity in the next two years with soaring equity alongside stale mortgage rates and rising consumer debt. While homeowners who secured ultra-low

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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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