Morning Roundup (1/13/25) – VOIE Growth

Good Morning! Today is Monday, January 13. Forecasters expect another round of strong winds to hit Los Angeles and the death toll from the fires has risen to 24. A large earthquake hit southwestern Japan. Millions of people are expected to attend the largest religious festival in the world in India, beginning today.

The Mortgage Note Reports

Record Growth: Argyle, a service provider that automates income and employment verifications for some of the largest mortgage lenders in the US, had a year that surpassed expectations in 2024. Editor Kimberley Haas has the story.

Starter Home Stats: First-time homebuyers in West Virginia get the best affordability in the country, while Hawaii has the most challenging market.

Play Ball: loanDepot named former MLB relief pitcher Bart Evans as its new regional VP for the Southeast.
“If you squint really closely and you look at the data, it looks like 2025 will bring a little bit more life into the housing market than 2024.”Ralph McLaughlin, senior economist at Realtor.com

In other mortgage and housing news…

CA Fires: Early estimates suggest that insurers could face payouts as high as $20B, even after they’ve moved to reduce exposure to vulnerable properties in the state.
Premature Action?: WSJ’s Editorial Board argues the Fed cut rates too early when it moved in September, and the stock market’s reaction to Friday’s jobs report proves it.
Jobs Impact: The 30-year fixed rate jumped after Friday’s employment report showed 2024 ending with strong job gains and a dip in unemployment.
Race To Buy: Bright MLS reports that Mid-Atlantic buyers rushed to close home deals before 2025 as they came to terms with the current rate environment.
Buyer Power: Nine states are back above pre-pandemic housing inventory levels, according to ResiClub’s monthly housing inventory report.
Check It Out: Here are the two big reasons homes aren’t selling in Florida.