Pending home sales soared in December, proving that price-sensitive buyers are jumping at the opportunity to lock in sub-7% rates.
NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index rose by 8.3% month-over-month — their biggest increase since 2020 — to a reading of 77.3 in December. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.
Year-over-year, they are up 1.3%.
“The housing market is off to a good start this year, as consumers benefit from falling mortgage rates and stable home prices,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Job additions and income growth will further help with housing affordability, but increased supply will be essential to satisfying all potential demand.”
All four U.S. regions saw declines both month-over-month…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS
The president of the National Association of Realtors has stepped down after allegedly receiving a threat to disclose a past personal matter.
Tracy Kasper reported the threat to law enforcement and informed NAR’s Leadership Team. The threat involved a non-financial matter, according to a press release.
“As president and a long-time member of NAR, I always have put the interests of NAR first. As a result of the recent threat and given the significance of this moment for myself, my family, and the organization, it is again time for me to put the interests of NAR first. So, it is with a mix of gratitude and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as your president…
By ERIN FLYNN JAY
As 2023 comes to a close, industry leaders say there were some highs, but leaving this year behind won’t be a problem for many mortgage professionals.
ATTOM CEO Rob Barber said in the spring, as the peak homebuying season heated up, lenders nationwide enjoyed their first quarterly increase in mortgage activity after eight consecutive declines dating back to early 2021.
“The second-quarter rebound was huge as total loans shot up 22%. The spike was powered by across-the-board, double-digit gains in purchase, refinance, and home-equity credit line deals,” said Barber.
But the turnaround was quick lived, he said, as the numbers went back down in the third quarter, with overall activity decreasing by 3%. Only refinance lending…
By ERIN FLYNN JAY
As artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in the mortgage business, industry leaders are figuring out ways to harness its power to revolutionize homebuying.
Dan Weisman, director of innovation strategy at the National Association of Realtors, said AI brings enhanced automation, efficiency, and transparency to the process. People who can effectively use it have the chance to dominate the landscape in 2024.
“With artificial intelligence rapidly entering our lives faster than most could imagine, the industry has opportunities to improve analyzing market trends, assessing credit risk, and ensuring regulatory compliance, which will lead to a more tailored lending experience,” Weisman said in a recent interview with The Mortgage Note.
For example, JPMorgan Chase is developing…
By CHUCK GREEN and KIMBERLEY HAAS
The full impacts of legal actions being taken against the National Association of Realtors are still not clear, but industry leaders are advocating for agents, saying they offer valuable expertise.
In October, a Missouri jury ordered the association and two of the nation’s biggest real estate brokerages to pay almost $1.8 billion in damages after they found that commissions were artificially inflated to pay agents. Fresh off winning the verdict, attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a new lawsuit seeking class-action status covering anyone in the country who sold a home in the last five years.
NAR’s President Tracy Kasper said in a statement at the time that they will appeal the liability finding, and…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS
Leaders in lending are talking about the possible ramifications of the legal actions being taken against the National Association of Realtors, including the president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage.
In October, a Missouri jury ordered the association and some of the nation’s biggest real estate brokerages to pay almost $1.8 billion in damages after they found that commissions were artificially inflated to pay agents. Fresh off winning the verdict, attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a new lawsuit that seeks class-action status covering anyone in the country who sold a home in the last five years.
NAR’s President Tracy Kasper said in a statement that they will appeal the liability finding, and in the interim, will ask…
U.S. mortgage rates took their biggest one-week drop in more than a year last week.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported the contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell 25 basis points to 7.61%. That’s the lowest level since the end of September.
Market watchers point to the Federal Reserve’s decision last week to hold interest rates steady as one reason for the slide in mortgage rates, adding to hopes the housing sector will improve in the coming months.
The MBA also reported mortgage applications for home sales rose 3%. Mortgage brokers say it’s no surprise that with a tight market and plenty of frustrated would-be buyers, there was a surge in demand.
Refinancing activity ticked up as the refinance…
Borrowers struggling with rampant unaffordability are seeing some relief as mortgage rates cool, ending an upward swing.
Officials at Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.76%, down from 7.79%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.95%.
The 15-year fixed rate remained unchanged at 7.03%. A year ago, it averaged 6.29%.
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage paused its multi-week climb but continues to hover under 8%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
“The Federal Reserve again decided not to raise interest rates but have not ruled out a hike before year-end. Coupled with geopolitical uncertainty, this ambiguity around monetary policy will likely have an impact on the overall economic landscape and may continue…
By PATRICK LAVERY
When the Federal Open Market Committee meets this week analysts will be looking for signs of what’s next and it may be anyone’s guess.
At the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual convention and expo in Philadelphia this month, MBA Chief Economist Michael Fratantoni told attendees that they expect the Feds will maintain the federal funds rate target range and do not expect an increase from them again this year.
Fratantoni projected there will be at least two cuts in 2024, and possibly more in 2025. But then Patrick Harker, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, took the stage the next day and said rates may have to stay high in order for them…
By CHUCK GREEN
As Americans remain determined to climb the homeownership ladder despite affordability challenges and a lack of inventory, the link between buying a house and success is strengthening, but that may not be benefitting society or the people who have to sacrifice to compete in the current market.
Roger Valdez, director at the Center for Housing Economics, told The Mortgage Note that life in the United States has been profoundly shaped by the 30-year mortgage, and as a result, mobility and entrepreneurship have likely suffered.
“There’s been a sort of desperation to get into a home and a mortgage over the last three years. The pandemic shifted people’s work and life habits in such a way that, for…
