Commercial real estate lending is in a pivotal moment, despite recent data suggesting improvement last year. CRE borrowing was up 16% YOY in 2024 to an estimated total of $498 billion, according to a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association. It remains down, however, from $816 billion in 2022, a 39% drop. Reggie Booker, MBA’s…
By CHUCK GREEN and KIMBERLEY HAAS The fate of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is being debated as the new Trump administration lays out its priorities for the next four years. Let’s start analyzing the situation by looking back in time. In 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in trouble. In fact, without government…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS As mortgage rates continue to stabilize, loan originators hoping for a successful year can benefit from the power of networking. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s finance forecast for February, interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage will remain at an average of 6.9% until the middle of 2025. They could drop…
By ERIN FLYNN JAY There has been an uptick in foreclosure activity this year but industry professionals say the impact on the national housing market will be manageable moving into 2025. Marina Walsh, vice president of industry analysis at the Mortgage Bankers Association, recently told The Mortgage Note that delinquencies increased across all product types….
By ERIN FLYNN JAY With buyers already taking a “wait-and-see” approach due to high interest rates, low inventory, and an upcoming Presidential election, economists say another factor – the unemployment rate – could affect the housing market moving forward. “Higher unemployment can make individuals and families feel less secure about their personal financial situations, which…
Mortgage applications slipped after a weeks-long upward rally as rates ticked up. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows that the adjusted Market Composite Index — a measure of mortgage loan application volume — fell by 5.7%, reversing last week’s gains. Adjusted purchase applications declined by 1%, while the unadjusted index was down 3% and…
By ERIN FLYNN JAY As the Biden administration’s war on “junk fees” continues, mortgage industry leaders are saying closing costs are not the source of home affordability challenges. In March, leaders at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asked for input in a blog post aimed at challenging these costs. “Families who manage to save up…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking aim at mortgage “junk fees” yet again, this time in the servicing sector. The bureau released supervisory highlights addressing what it classifies as illegal junk fees, such as prohibited fees, deceptive notices sent to homeowners, and violations of loss mitigation rules. “Homeowners cannot just simply switch providers if…
Americans watching cable news might have been cheered when they saw the latest jobs report: the United States added 303,000 new nonfarm jobs in March and unemployment fell to 3.8%. Both numbers exceeded expectations. But viewers who are also shopping for a mortgage may have had a different reaction. Economics and housing experts say less…
By ERIN FLYNN JAY The concept of mortgage porting, or transferring the terms of an existing loan over to a new property, has gained popularity as Americans locked into low interest rates try to figure out ways to navigate the current housing market. It is estimated that trading up to a 25% more expensive home…
End of content
End of content
Before You Go, Get the Latest News and UPDATES!
Stay Tuned!