An analysis of data by the FHFA of Uniform Appraisal Dataset Aggregate Statistics for the third quarter has found a year-over-year decline in the total number of U.S. home appraisals.
Read More »Seeking the Right Balance
The capital reserves in FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund have remained above the statutory minimum for the fourth consecutive year. Here are the opportunities and headwinds the FHA foresees for this portfolio.
Read More »Déjà Vu All Over Again
A new analysis indicates that the GSEs are increasing their leverage to maintain mortgage activity levels. How is this trend impacting the risks associated with mortgage defaults?
Read More »How Did Refis Impact the 2008 Financial Crisis?
While there is still debate about the various factors that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of the housing market, a new paper by the Urban Institute suggests that the poor performance of cash-out refinances, and refinances in ...
Read More »Mortgage Bank Profits Stumble in Q3 Despite Production Volume Increase
Mortgage banking profits hit another stumbling block in the third quarter, sinking slightly as a decline in secondary market income offset rising production numbers.
Read More »Freddie Mac: Housing Market Inching Closer to Stability
According to Freddie Mac, three of the four major indicators tracked in the index saw improvements in September, led by a 1.2 percent gain in the gauge of labor health to 94. The components measuring payment-to-income ratios and the proportion of mortgage payments made on time also edged up, rising 0.8 percent to 72.7 and 0.5 percent to 66.6, respectively.
Read More »Analysts Predict Continued Improvement for Housing as Economy Strengthens in 2015
Looking at the larger economic picture, the economists predict a 3 percent growth rate for gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015, which would mark only the second year in the past decade in which growth was at 3 percent or higher.
Read More »Freddie Mac: Housing Market Loses Ground
Of the four indicators tracked, only the employment gauge was in a stable spot, falling half a percent to 92.9 as the economy continues to show strong job growth. Among the other three, payment-to-income ratios and mortgage delinquency improved over the month, climbing to readings of 69.3 and 66.4, respectively.
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