Good Morning! Today is Thursday, February 15. One person was killed and at least 21 were wounded in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration. The Senate is planning to reject the House’s impeachment of Biden’s homeland security secretary. Privately-owned Odysseus, a lunar lander, launched overnight.
The Mortgage Note Reports
Better VA Loans: Better launched a fully digital zero-down VA loan program designed to expedite and simplify the buying process for veterans.
Aging In Place: Older Americans are choosing to age in their current homes, keeping average tenure at more than a decade and inventory tight for buyers.
In other mortgage and housing news…
Bills Pile Up: Arbor Realty Trust fueled a Sunbelt apartment boom, but many of its borrowers are now struggling under higher rates and missing mortgage payments.
National Trend: Opportunity zones saw more home price losses than gains in Q4 2023 but aren’t doing worse than other areas, and are still attracting buyer attention.
Prices Rising: The median U.S. home-sale price rose 6.1% YOY during the four weeks ending February 11, the biggest increase in 15 months.
Galleon: A new startup plans to open up housing inventory by letting homeowners who wouldn’t otherwise sell “name their number” for buyers to offer.
Mobile Mortgage Mom: Mortgage influencer Jordan Nutter has launched a 12,000-mile tour across the nation to teach first-time buyers how to get their dream home.
“Out Of Touch”: Radio personality Dave Ramsey was called out by homebuyers for real estate advice that is financially impossible for many Americans.