Gen Z is reviving urban hotspots assumed to be dying out due to Covid-19, a new report from RentCafe found. Gen Z is the only generation to see a spike in renting activity in the last year, up by 21% while the share of rent applications from all other generations dropped. They account for a quarter of all rent activity nationwide and pushed the number of applications for apartments from renters of all generations up an average of 10%. In 2020, Zoomers were stuck in their families’ hometowns or in their college towns. But now, following promises of job opportunities and vibrant living, they’re renting in cities once thought doomed in the wake of the pandemic. Compared to 2020, there…
Good Morning! Today is Monday, March 7. Ukrainian resistance stalled Russian forces this weekend, driving them from the port city of Mykolaiv. This morning, Russia launched an artillery barrage there. Tornadoes in Iowa killed seven people and destroyed dozens of homes. The Mortgage Note Reports America’s Most Expensive Home Sets Record At Auction, New Owner Revealed: A Bel Air megamansion that was listed on the market for $295 million has been purchased at auction by the 40-year-old CEO of Fashion Nova. Fannie HPSI: Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index rose this month despite consumers’ surly attitudes toward home prices and rising interest rates. loanDepot Promotion: Min Kim has been promoted to EVP, Marketing and Analytics at loanDepot. And in other…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS A Bel Air megamansion that was listed on the market for $295 million has been purchased at auction by the CEO of Fashion Nova. Richard Saghian, 40, reportedly beat out four other offers for the 105,000-square-foot home. He confirmed he was the winning bidder to the Los Angeles Times. Saghian said the property, with 21 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, and 7 half baths can never be duplicated. He owns two other houses in southern California, according to the newspaper. “There is nothing else like it. As a lifelong Angeleno and avid collector of real estate, I recognized this as a rare opportunity that also lets me own a unique property that is destined to be a part of…
loanDepot has promoted long-time employee Min Kim to EVP, Marketing and Analytics, the company announced in a press release. Kim has worked at loanDepot since 2012 as director of risk monitoring and reporting, during which time he built a robust risk reporting infrastructure for the company. In 2015 he moved to marketing analytics, quickly earning a promotion to SVP of Marketing Analytics. Before loanDepot, Kim worked in risk management for Hyundai Capital America and LendingTree Loans. “It’s been an exciting decade as a member of Team loanDepot, as we have worked to disrupt the mortgage experience and realize our CEO’s vision,” said Kim. “I look forward to taking on my new role, leading the Marketing and BI teams to provide…
More consumers than ever think mortgage rates and home prices will continue to rise, according to Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI rose by 3.5 points to 75.3 in February, with five of the index’s six components increasing month-over-month despite respondents’ surly attitude towards home prices and interest rates. However, the full index dropped 1.2 points year-over-year (YOY). The “Good Time to Buy” component is still hovering near its record low, with consumers saying they are deterred from homebuying by high prices. Respondents to the survey said they feel an improved sense of job security, but a significantly greater share– 67%, a record high for the HPSI– assume mortgage rates will rise higher. The report notes this…
Mortgage lending dropped at its fastest pace in almost three years in Q4 2021, down for the third quarter in a row and the largest decrease since late 2018, according to ATTOM’s Q4 2021 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report. The report found that 3.27 million mortgages were originated in Q4 2021, or $1.06 trillion worth of mortgages. This is down 11% from Q3 2021 and 13% from Q4 2020. All three categories of conventional loans– purchase, refi, and home equity– saw quarterly declines, with only purchases remaining up year-over-year (YOY). Refis were down 11% from Q3 2021 and 23% YOY, with 1.81 million home loans refinanced. Q4 was the third straight quarter of refi declines. The dollar volume of…
Mortgage rates fell again last week, dropping to an average of 3.76% from 3.89%, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Freddie’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.76%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.02%. “While inflationary pressures remain, the cascading impacts of the war in Ukraine have created market uncertainty,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said. “Consequently, rates are expected to stay low in the short term but will likely increase in the coming months.” The Fed said that it still plans to raise rates later this month despite uncertainty surrounding the Ukraine conflict. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank would stick to its plan to reduce…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, March 3. Russia has continued to attack major cities in Ukraine, creating a humanitarian crisis. The Jan. 6 committee said there was evidence to conclude that Donald Trump may have committed crimes to try to stay in office. Fitbit is recalling its Ionic smartwatch after reports of overheating batteries. The Mortgage Note Reports Loan Factory’s Nguyen Says UWM Ultimatum ‘Has Divided Our Community’: In a one-on-one interview with The Mortgage Note, Nguyen explains why he chose to stop doing business with Mat Ishbia’s company rather than agree to it’s ‘All In’ ultimatum. Weak App Activity: Mortgage loan application volume fell 0.7% last week, faring slightly better than the prior week’s 13.1% drop but continuing a trend…
The average American has now lived 13.2 years in their home, up from 2012’s 10.1 years but down from 2020’s 13.5-year record, Redfin reported. The report notes that last year’s high migration rates contributed to the downturn from 2020’s peak, though Americans continue aging in place, keeping the average inflated. One-third of U.S. household heads were at least 65 years old in 2019. Housing analysts are already thinking about the changing face of the market as that number grows. Rising rents, stock shortages, and the number of homeowners who refinanced are also likely keeping people in their homes longer. “Homeowner tenure may have already peaked, or the decline in 2021 could be a blip before it climbs back up,” said…
Mortgage loan application volume fell 0.7% last week, faring slightly better than the prior week’s 13.1% drop but continuing a trend down, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly survey shows. The adjusted Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped 0.7%. The adjusted purchase index fell 2%, while the unadjusted purchase index rose 1% and was 9% lower YOY. The refinance index rose 1% and was down 56% YOY. Refinances made up 49.9% of total applications. Rising mortgage rates continue to impact application activity. Mortgage rates reached 4.15% last week, their highest since 2019, and are driving refinance applications down. “Although there was an increase in government refinance applications, higher rates continue to push potential refinance borrowers…
