Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Frank Cassidy, who also serves as the FHA’s deputy assistant secretary for single family mortgages, has gone on leave. Processing Content Cassidy’s leave, which is related to “family matters,” began earlier this month and will extend to at least the end of April, according to a Politico Pro report. Ginnie Mae […]
FHA’s Cassidy on leave, Ginnie Mae’s Gormley filling in Read More »
Losses from real estate cybercrimes soared last year as criminals utilized more artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency scams, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported. Processing Content The industry’s cybercrime losses topped $275 million in 2025, a 59% increase from approximately $174 million in real estate-related losses in 2024, according to the bureau’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
FBI: Real estate cyberfraud rises with more AI, crypto scams Read More »
Inflation related to the Iran conflict caused the panel of economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer to moderate their views on growth and short-term rate cuts. Processing Content The April survey for the Blue Chip Economic Indicators took place before the ceasefire announcement, let alone Friday morning’s release of Consumer Price Index data. The Bureau of
War, oil and inflation: What it means for rates Read More »
The idea of potentially unwinding all or part of the uniform mortgage-backed securities process has resurfaced in an analysis of government-sponsored enterprise ownership changes. Processing Content The report by capital markets and policy experts who are part of the Treasury Market Practices Group looks more broadly on what potential ownership changes contemplated at the GSEs could portend,
UMBS a key risk in any GSE ownership change: report Read More »
Mortgage rates backed off their recent 2026 high this week after concerns over an escalation of the Iran War temporarily subsided, but the numbers don’t necessarily mean an end to ongoing volatility, economists warned. Processing Content The 30-year fixed average decreased 9 basis points to 6.37%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey of
Iran ceasefire brings brief reprieve for mortgage rates Read More »
Mortgage credit availability reached a three-year high in time for the spring housing market, including a rebound in government-sponsored loan products. Processing Content The Mortgage Bankers Association Thursday also reported modest monthly gains in conforming and jumbo credit in its Mortgage Credit Availability Index for March. The index’s overall 108.3 reading represented a 1.1% gain
Mortgage credit hits three-year high entering spring market Read More »
The latest Basel III proposal could encourage banks to hold more mortgages, but its impact on financing they provide to nonbanks selling home loans is “murkier,” according to a new report. Processing Content Pennymac’s early analysis of the proposed bank-capital rules’ impact on warehouse lending indicates that they currently preserve part of an earlier draft
Basel draft leaves nonbank warehouse financing in limbo Read More »
With mortgage rates spiking over the last few weeks, many homeowners are unwilling to give up their current rate, a new industry report showed. Processing Content Roughly a third of homeowners with a mortgage rate less than 6% would not give up their rate for any reason, and 47% said they couldn’t afford current rates,
Rate lock-in: 1 in 3 owners won’t budge at any price Read More »
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have respectively released a mix of new flexibilities and requirements for single-family mortgages they purchase as April has gotten underway. Processing Content Fannie is pulling back on some prefunding measures it had previously emphasized, while Freddie is making changes that affect loans in an underserved market that advocates and housing
GSEs ease prefunding rules, extend manufactured housing terms Read More »
Improved affordability and increased inventory helped the spring homebuying season get off to a strong start, but the recent rise in mortgage rates has pushed some buyers out of the market, according to ICE Mortgage Technology’s latest mortgage monitor report. Processing Content “Mortgage rates bottomed near 5.95% early this year, pushing affordability to its best
Spring’s hot housing market just ran into a problem Read More »