Originations

Trump push on RON faces real-world limits

While President Trump’s executive order promoting increased access to mortgage credit makes prominent mention of digital loans and remote online notarization, the practical effect might be limited. Processing Content RON is already allowed in 48 states and the District of Columbia; though some of those still only have temporary authorization in place. However, even with […]

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IMB profits drop sharply even as volume surges in Q4

Even with the surprisingly strong fourth quarter for origination volume, net production profits at nonbank lenders were down about 44% from the period ended Sept. 30, 2025, the Mortgage Bankers Association found. Processing Content Still, the industry has been profitable three quarters in a row. It follows a run where IMBs averaged losses 10 out

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Mortgage rates hit highest this year, slowing refinancing

US mortgage rates jumped last week to the highest level of the year, leading to a sharp pullback in refinancing activity. Processing Content The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage rose 11 basis points to 6.30% in the week ended March 13 following a similar advance at the week before, according to Mortgage Bankers Association

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Home insurance prices set to keep rising with severe weather

US home insurance premiums are set to rise for a fifth straight year in 2026 as insurers grapple with losses from extreme weather and high rebuilding costs.  Processing Content The average annual premium is projected to increase 4% to about $3,057 this year, after jumping 12% in 2025, according to Insurify, an online insurance comparison site. The expected gain follows several years

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Pending home sales climbed in February as mortgage rates fell

Pending sales of US existing homes unexpectedly rose in February for the first time in three months as buyers took advantage of lower mortgage rates and slower price growth. Processing Content An index of contract signings climbed 1.8%, according to National Association of Realtors data released Tuesday. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg

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PE firm buys mortgage tech company formerly known as Voxtur

A New York-based private equity firm is acquiring Apex Analytics, formerly Voxtur Analytics, after a tumultuous past few years. Processing Content Hale Capital Management, which has a focus on investing in technology and technology-enabled companies at key moments of transformation, bought Voxtur’s existing senior secured indebtedness from Bank of Montreal in September, an obligation the

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Trump building order targets supply-side constraints

A new federal executive order from President Trump related to “removing regulatory barriers to home construction” aims to increase affordable inventory through broad deregulation. Processing Content The Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are among several public entities the order directs to take a series of steps to that

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Lennar profit drops 56% amid rates, Iran uncertainty

Lennar’s management is working through the various challenges facing homebuilders: not just the Iran conflict, but also the antipathy against institution investor purchasers. Processing Content In its first fiscal quarter, which ended on Feb. 28, Lennar earned $229 million, less than half of the $520 million it made for the same period in 2025. The

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CrossCountry invests in builders with new division

CrossCountry Mortgage announced Thursday a significant investment in its newly formed builder division. Processing Content The lender did not disclose the size of the investment, but it reinforced CrossCountry’s commitment to the homebuilder market, the company said. The division will offer a comprehensive suite of residential lending programs and commercial lending solutions, such as builder

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Iran war pushes mortgage rates near yearly high

Iran war pushes mortgage rates near yearly high

Mortgage rates zoomed up 11 basis points this week as the Iran war wreaked havoc on oil prices, putting both the bond and equity markets in turmoil. Processing Content The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11% on March 12, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported. This compared with last week’s 6% and a year

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