Mortgage credit availability ended November at its loosest since August 2022, driven by additions of adjustable rate and cash-out refinance products to lenders’ menu, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. The 0.7% month-to-month rise in the Mortgage Credit Availability Index continues a streak which for every month in 2025 except January it was above the 100 […]
ARM, refi products widen credit access Read More »
Freddie Mac is updating its guidelines to include explicit language requiring mortgage companies to establish a clear artificial intelligence framework governing the technology’s internal use. The new rules become effective on March 3, 2026 and mandates compliance with the policy for businesses using AI and machine-learning tools in connection with loans sold to or serviced
Freddie Mac issues updates mandating AI governance Read More »
U.S. lenders are racing to tap homeowners’ record equity, rolling out new HELOCs, non-QM loans, and even blockchain-backed products to capture market share. Boston Consulting Group’s third quarter recap noted that banks are focusing their mortgage operations on deepening customer relationships in order to grow, and this includes increasing second-lien lending. “Lenders continue to expand
From HELOCs to blockchain: home equity moves forward Read More »
Only a handful of ZIP codes in the nation’s largest metros remain affordable for would-be homeowners. Movingplace found that just three of the 150 most populous ZIP codes had median home prices low enough to keep mortgage payments under 28% of income, a common benchmark for affordability. Conforming mortgage guidelines call for a 28%
New York has most expensive ZIPs for renters looking to buy Read More »
A new type of reverse mortgage security needs to be created to accommodate Home Equity Conversion Mortgages that have reached the 98% maximum claim amount, a pair of industry organizations said in their respective responses to a government request for information. The RFI from the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae — along with their
Industry pushes new HMBS to fix aging reverse loans Read More »
A trade group representing private lenders has created a database to identify high-risk counterparties prior to funding real estate loans. The National Private Lenders Association has launched the NPLA Watchlist to help real estate lenders, brokers and service providers spot individuals or entities that may warrant caution — or even avoidance — in order to
Private credit organization starts counterparty watchlist Read More »
Planet Financial Group grew its production volume by 64% and its mortgage servicing portfolio by 28% year-over-year in the third quarter, as its portfolio retention unit reported record lock volumes in September, a strong month for refinances in the industry. The privately held company did not disclose any profit or loss data. As a group,
Planet’s Home Lending outpaces mortgage industry in 3Q Read More »
U.S. Federal Housing is boosting the conforming loan limits by 3.26% for 2026 based on the annual change in home prices using an expanded data set. The new limit of $832,750, is an increase of $26,250 from the 2025 limit of $806,500. The high-cost ceiling for one-unit properties will be $1,249,125, which is 150% of
U.S. Federal Housing raises 2026 conforming limits over 3% Read More »
The mortgage industry is up in arms about price increases for credit score pulls. “By now, half the mortgage industry has seen the proposed increases for accessing consumer credit,” a LinkedIn post from NFM Lending Managing Director Greg Sher said. “It’s anywhere from 40-100% – this is on the heels of 700% increases over the
MBA objects to credit report price hike, wants single pull Read More »
Foreign buyers and local investors continue to play a critical role in the U.S. housing market, pushing ahead with purchases and refinances despite rising costs, shifting politics, and slower returns. For mortgage lenders, these buyers represent a growing business opportunity. Investor ownership of residential real estate has long been a contentious topic, with some blaming
Today’s investor property loan opportunity for lenders Read More »