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: HUD asked for input on proposed changes to a program allowing homebuyers to bundle repair and rehabilitation costs into their mortgage.
2023 Stats: Americans originated $1.1T in new mortgage debt in the first three quarters of 2023, with 77.4% issued to super-prime borrowers with credit scores of at least 720.
Cyber News: CyberCatch says it protects non-bank financial institutions from cyberattacks and keeps them FTC-compliant.
Opinion: Bipartisan support for lowering housing costs means that Congress can help support affordability — it just has to act.
Tear Out Your Turf: A growing number of homeowners are replacing their pricey, water-guzzling grass yards with plants more appropriate to their climates.