Good Morning! Today is Thursday, December 7. An investigation found that an Israeli tank crew killed a journalist and wounded six reporters in Lebanon. Representative Kevin McCarthy will leave the House at the end of the year. A gunman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, killed three people.
The Mortgage Note Reports
GSE DPA Update: Freddie Mac is streamlining down payment assistance programs with standardized mortgage documents for lenders working with HFAs.
Alliant Loan Options: Alliant Credit Union rolled out several new mortgage offerings and a home construction loan.
In other mortgage and housing news…
“Potential Tripwires”: The housing markets facing the greatest downturn risks are clustered in California, New Jersey, and Illinois, ATTOM says.
Early Gift For Buyers: …
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, December 6. Members of the actors’ union voted to approve a three-year contract with studios. Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, who briefly served as House speaker, won’t seek re-election. The U.S. imposed visa bans on Israeli settlers who have committed violence in the West Bank.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Master Class: Real estate trainer and coach Ron Vaimberg says market frustrations have crept too far into the mindsets of people working on the front lines and it shows. He shares some tricks for overcoming objections and winning business.
Apps Soar: Mortgage applications increased once again as cooling inflation and Fed rate expectations pushed mortgage rates to their lowest level since August.
CBC Rate Buydown: …
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, December 5. Hackers gained the personal data of nearly seven million profiles on 23AndMe. A former ambassador is accused of working for years as a secret agent for Cuba. Israel has started an invasion of southern Gaza.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Talking About NAR: People are talking about the possible ramifications of the legal actions being taken against the National Association of Realtors, including the president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage.
Guild CMO: Adam O’Daniel joined Guild Mortgage as chief marketing officer.
Lending Tech: POS provider Floify launched a one-stop lending platform for brokers, Floify Broker Edition.
Holiday Home Sales: The holiday season can be a tricky time of year in the real estate…
Good Morning! Today is Monday, December 4. Israel ordered more evacuations before an expected ground invasion of southern Gaza. A volcanic eruption killed at least 11 hikers in Indonesia. Alaska Airlines said it plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion.
The Mortgage Note Reports
2024’s Top Markets: First-time buyers are clinging to the dream of homeownership, creating opportunities for relatively affordable markets to explode in 2024.
Newrez Product: Newrez launched a new 1% down payment product with a lender contribution of up to $5,000, geared towards low-income and first-time homebuyers.
Cloud-Based Tech: Cloud-based technology is transforming warehouse lending. Editor Kimberley Haas sat down with Rich Berg of SitusAMC to learn more.
In other mortgage and housing news…
Industry Feedback: …
Good Morning! Today is Friday, December 1. The House will vote today on whether to expel Representative George Santos. Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza. Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court justice, died at 93.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Year-End Incentives: Rocket Pro TPO is kicking off its annual December to Remember event and the executive vice president says it will mean more for mortgage professionals this year than ever before. Editor Kimberley Haas has the story.
Rates Down Again: Mortgage rates slipped for a fifth consecutive week to 7.22%, signaling the possibility of more competition in a “market starved for inventory.”
FCM Exec: Jeff Pancer joined First Community Mortgage as EVP of Capital Markets.
In other mortgage…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, November 30. Tesla’s Cybertruck will officially launch at 3 pm ET. Henry Kissinger died at 100 years old. Apple said will improve texting with Android phones.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Lending Sinks: Originations fell by 3% in Q3 thanks to weakness in purchase and home equity lending, reversing a Q2 spike and marking the ninth decline in ten quarters.
Pending Sales Down: Pending home sales sank to their lowest level in 20 years last month, piling on more tough news for the housing market.
Opinion: Scott Olson, executive director of the Community Home Lenders of America, says they are renewing their longstanding call for all mortgage loan originators to be licensed after Bank of America…
Good Morning! Today is Wednesday, November 29. The wife of Ukraine’s military intelligence chief was poisoned but is recovering in the hospital. A commercial plane crossed the Atlantic without using fossil fuels for the first time. Google will delete Gmail and YouTube accounts that have been idle for two years or more.
The Mortgage Note Reports
BOA Penalized: The second largest bank in the country will pay a $12 million penalty after it was found that hundreds of loan officers falsified forms about mortgage applicants.
Applications Up: Mortgage applications rose for yet another week, though the increase was mild, inching up just 0.3% as refinances tanked.
2024 Predictions: Will 2024’s housing market be better? Experts expect to see the beginning…
Good Morning! Today is Tuesday, November 28. Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service is today in Atlanta. New Zealand’s government said it will repeal a law banning cigarette sales. Hunter Biden agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Dec. 13.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Case-Shiller Index: Home prices hit another record high this fall as stock shortages spurred competition for well-priced homes.
Ascent Buys VA: Ascent Software Group, the appraisal software company behind end-to-end suite Jaro, has acquired tech developer Value Acceptance.
Data Beats: Leaders at Tavant say they are using generative AI to redefine the financial services landscape. Editor Kimberley Haas has the story.
In other mortgage and housing news…
New HPI: Redfin introduced its own Home Price Index,…
Good Morning! Today is Monday, November 27. Hamas released an American child along with 16 other hostages. President Biden will skip the U.N. climate summit in Dubai this week. Teachers in Portland, OR, reached a tentative union deal, ending their strike.
The Mortgage Note Reports
A Gift Won’t Cut It: Holiday marketing plans need to maximize connections, but how can professionals do that during one of the most chaotic times of the year? Writer Nicole Murray spoke to industry leaders to get the information you need to know.
New Home Sales: New home sales sank in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 679,000, below analysts’ predictions of 730,000.
Dodd At Floify: Mortgage POS company Floify hired industry expert…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, November 16. Rescue workers renewed efforts to reach 40 men trapped inside a tunnel in India. Xi Jinping said China might send pandas to U.S. zoos. Thousands of Starbucks workers plan to walk out today over contract negotiations.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Customer Satisfaction: Mortgage lenders who pivoted to borrower-centric approaches in the last year saw customer satisfaction soar despite high rates.
Lock It, List It: Guaranteed Rate launched a new program letting sellers pay a fee and lock in a discounted rate to advertise to buyers.
New Name: SimpleNexus has officially rebranded as nCino’s Mortgage Suite and company leaders say customers can benefit from a more diverse and financially stable company.
In other…
