On Thursday, mortgage rates data from Mortgage News Daily (MND) showed that the 30-year fixed rates for government loans fell below 6%. As of Thursday afternoon, the average Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan rate was 5.97% and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rate was 5.99%. Mortgage News Daily also reported 15-year fixed rates […]
Mortgage rates drop below 6% for FHA, VA loans Read More »
Borrowers rushed to refinance in August as mortgage rates eased, pushing rate-and-term refi lock volume up 70% from July, according to Optimal Blue’s Mortgage Market Advantage report released Wednesday. “Borrowers are responding quickly to rate improvements, driving the strongest month for rate-and-term refinances we’ve seen this year,” Mike Vough, head of corporate strategy at Optimal
Optimal Blue: Rate-and-term refis soar 70% in August Read More »
Mortgage applications decreased 1.4% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Aug. 15. Without taking seasonal adjustments into account, the index decreased 2% compared with the previous week. The refinance index decreased 3% from the previous week but was 23% higher
Mortgage applications shrink as VA loan demand declines Read More »
As the real estate industry prepared for the business practice changes outlined in the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) nationwide commission lawsuit settlement agreement, one of the biggest questions was how the changes would impact veteran homebuyers wishing to use their loan benefit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The NAR settlement requires
VA loan homebuyers navigate NAR settlement with ease Read More »
Longtime U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) executive and mortgage professional John Bell III announced on LinkedIn that he’s leaving his role as executive director of the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service (LGY). Bell’s post on Monday touted his key accomplishments at the VA, such as increasing its mortgage market share from less than 1% to
VA’s John Bell III stepping into new role at Office of Mission Support Read More »
Despite growing attention around all-cash transactions, most Americans — especially first-time buyers — continue to finance their home purchases, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Among primary residence buyers, 74% financed their home purchase in 2024. That share jumps to 91% for first-time buyers, said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief
NAR: Homebuyers still have down payment misconceptions Read More »
Loan volume through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is up 45% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. That’s according to an analysis of VA loan data released Wednesday by Veterans United Home Loans. The analysis, based on lending data from the first half of fiscal year
VA loans are up 45% annually as Gen Zers lead the charge Read More »
As of April 2025, the typical U.S. homebuyer’s down payment was $62,468, down roughly 1% on a yearly basis and the first annual decline in nearly two years. That’s according to a new report from Redfin that’s based on an analysis of records across 40 of the most populous U.S. metropolitan areas. In percentage terms,
Down payments shrink as homebuyers scoop up FHA, VA loans Read More »
Rocket Pro is partnering with Vetted VA, which provides education to veterans and training to loan officers to give veterans better access to home loan benefits. The partnership, announced on Tuesday at The Gathering by HousingWire, will involve the training of Rocket staff and LOs by Vetted VA so the lender can better serve the
Rocket Pro announces partnership with Vetted VA Read More »
Following about 20 minutes of debate on the floor of the House of Representatives on Monday, H.R. 1815 — known as the V.A. Home Loan Program Reform Act — was passed by voice vote and will now be given to the Senate for additional debate. The passage by the House keeps the bill moving through
House passes bill to give VA borrowers a partial mortgage claim option Read More »