For borrowers in the rural South, getting a mortgage is tricky.
A new analysis from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau found that consumers in hard-to-reach areas of the South have a tough time accessing credit. Southern rural consumers apply for mortgages at the same rate as consumers nationwide – 19 applications per 1,000 residents – but are more likely to be denied, with 27% of their applications shot down compared to 11% nationally.
They also pay higher rates than borrowers in other regions, averaging 3.51% in 2021 compared to 3.12% nationally.
The rural South does have high levels of poverty, which can translate to poor credit scores. Almost half of the country’s persistent poverty counties – where 20% of the…
Mortgage applications just barely stayed positive last week, ticking up slightly.
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 0.5%.
Adjusted purchase applications rose by 2%, while the unadjusted index was down 0.1% from the week before and 32% lower YOY.
The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans fell for a third week from 6.77% to 6.73%.
Though it’s not a huge drop, any dip will pull some rate-sensitive buyers off the sidelines. This is especially true for new construction, which is having a boom moment thanks to the crippling shortage of existing homes for sale.
“Purchase applications increased, driven by a 2% gain…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS
Large saltwater pools, massage rooms, and places to store extensive wine collections are popular, but there may be more important things to prospective mansion buyers.
During the National Association of Real Estate Editors conference in Las Vegas this month, a panel discussion was held to flush out current demands in the luxury market. Speaking during “Mansions 2024” was Mike Leipart, managing partner of The Agency Development Group; Rob Jensen, president of the Rob Jensen Company; Architect Michael Gardner of Luxus Design Build; and Architect Johnny Cruz of Robert A.M. Stern Architects.
Here are five key takeaways:
Wellness technology is popular with the rich.
Leipart said he was in a home recently where the owner had a sauna,…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS
Privately-owned housing starts surpassed estimates in May, beating expectations as the housing market remains tight.
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the latest residential construction statistics on Tuesday morning.
“Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,631,000. This is 21.7% (±14.8%) above the revised April estimate of 1,340,000 and is 5.7% (±10.8%) above the May 2022 rate of 1,543,000. Single‐family housing starts in May were at a rate of 997,000; this is 18.5% (±14.1%) above the revised April figure of 841,000,” a press release says.
Principal Kelly Mangold of RCLCO Real Estate Consulting in Maryland said this is the second month in a…
By CHUCK GREEN
Does anyone need some elbow room?
When COVID appeared to seize control over, well, nearly everything, there seemed to be ample space in offices – including those related to the mortgage industry – across the country. Desks? It was almost as though some hadn’t been occupied in decades.
That scenario is gradually changing. According to the Spring 2023 U.S. Office Occupier Sentiment Survey by CBRE, 65% of respondents say their companies are requiring that employees return to the office.
71% of financial and professional services company respondents said they are required to be back in the office, and most of the companies they work for expect attendance for more than half of the week.
So should mortgage…
Mortgage rates ticked down again, the second consecutive week of declines.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69%, down from 6.71% the week prior.
A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.78%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased, however, up from 6.07% to 6.10%. A year ago, it averaged 4.81%.
“Mortgage rates decreased slightly this week in anticipation of the pause in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
The pause did come: after ten consecutive increases, the Fed declined to raise interest rates at its June meeting.
“We have been seeing the effects of our policy tightening on demand in the most interest-rate-sensitive sectors of…
Mortgage applications turned around after four weeks of declines as rates dipped slightly.
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows the adjusted Market Composite Index – a measure of mortgage loan application volume – increased by 7.2%.
Adjusted purchase applications rose by 8%, while the unadjusted index was up 17% from the week before and 27% lower YOY.
The average interest rate for 30-year fixed loans fell for a second week from 6.81% to 6.77%.
Though it’s not a huge drop, any dip will pull some rate-sensitive buyers off the sidelines.
“Rates that are still more than a percentage point higher than a year ago, and low for-sale inventory continue to constrain homebuying activity in many markets. The average loan…
More than half of all mortgage professionals are living paycheck to paycheck, contending with rising inflation and a cooling market.
Everee, a payroll tech company, surveyed 314 commission-based mortgage professionals. Of the respondents, 31% said they plan to leave the industry in the next year. An additional 15% aren’t sure if they’ll stay in the industry moving forward.
The main issues for these respondents were pay and flexibility. These pros said they might consider staying in their jobs if they were given more flexible working options and competitive pay.
Many states have changed regulations surrounding lenders and work-from-home in the wake of the pandemic. Safety and privacy concerns have been hashed out through trial and error, and LOs at large…
While May saw a more robust mortgage market, demand is still nowhere near normal.
Black Knight’s latest Originations Market report found that though mortgage originations fared better in May than in April, they remain constrained.
Overall rate lock volumes were up 14% month-over-month in May due to April having two fewer business days. Production was up 4%.
“Indeed, while rate locks on purchase loans rose from April, they also dipped to their lowest level yet relative to 2018/2019 averages as rates rose late in the month,” said Andy Walden, vice president of enterprise research and strategy at Black Knight.
“Mind you, purchase loans have been making up the lion’s share of origination activity for much of the last year, making…
Competition for limited inventory has led to surprisingly hot home prices this spring season.
Zillow’s latest market report found that home values grew 1.4% between April and May, the highest since June 2022.
This is cooler growth than the previous two springs, but more than in 2018 or 2019. The typical home is valued at $346,856, up 0.9% YOY and 3.4% from January’s low point.
Buyers are desperate to make this market work for them despite its challenges, with sales up nearly 10% from April to May. At the same time, inventory reached a record low.
“Many homeowners are still opting not to sell and give up historically low mortgage rates. But those who do have been rewarded with bidding…
