Morning Roundup (8/24/2023) — Making It Personal

Good Morning! Today is Thursday, August 24. Donald Trump is due to report to an Atlanta jail today. Japan will begin releasing treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. The Wagner chief behind a Russian mutiny was on a jet that crashed in the Tver region, killing all 10 onboard.

The Mortgage Note Reports

Making It Personal: The co-founder and president of a relationship management automation provider for mortgage professionals says taking a more personal approach to messaging makes a difference. Editor Kimberley Haas has the story.

Demand Dwindling: Mortgage applications tanked last week as average interest rates hit 7.31%.

Vacancies Climbing: Zombie foreclosures increased slightly in Q3, though remain so low that homeowners need not fear blowback from nearby vacant properties.

In other mortgage and housing news…

“Big Risk”: One housing market expert is warning that the Fed has too much confidence in a soft landing and says positive housing indicators are a “head fake.”

Delinquency Report: The national delinquency rate edged up 9 bps in July to 3.21%, but was down 12 bps YOY and remains within 12 bps of March’s record low.

“Under-Heralded Success”: New federal data on the most vulnerable renters in the U.S. show how relief prevented a wave of evictions during the pandemic.

Closer Commutes: Big city suburbs are back in Realtor.com’s Hottest Zip Codes report as businesses call workers back to the office.

Cheap Sunshine: Myrtle Beach, SC has made it onto the list of most popular migration destinations for the first time ever for its relatively affordable beach living.