The outlook among home remodel companies sits at its highest in a year, with sentiment toward upcoming business prospects in positive territory in contrast with the homebuilding community. Processing Content Remodeling and renovation market sentiment improved to a seasonally adjusted score of 64 at the close of the fourth quarter, up from 60 three months […]
Remodeling businesses cite favorable prospects to start 2026 Read More »
New-home sales dropped in December compared with previous months, but remained above 2024 levels, according to new industry data. Processing Content Mortgage applications for new-home purchases decreased 15.2% on a seasonally-adjusted basis and 3% unadjusted from November to December, the Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey found. Compared with last December, applications increased 2.5%. “December
New-home sales slip in December despite annual gains Read More »
Mortgage rates fell to their lowest levels in more than three years after Pres. Trump ordered a $200 billion purchase of agency mortgage-backed securities, Freddie Mac said. Processing Content Spreads were already tightening as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have increased the size of their respective retained portfolios in recent months. The announcement further narrowed
Mortgage rates reach three-year low after MBS buy order Read More »
It might seem odd that United Wholesale Mortgage, which is a national B2B organization, would have — and extend — a long-term partnership with an independent minor baseball league, which only plays in Michigan. Processing Content But its goal for the partnership is not to reach consumers, explained Sarah DeCiantis, chief marketing officer at UWM.
UWM bets on local baseball to build its workforce Read More »
Lower Mortgage announced a new acquisition this week, with a purchase of Acopia Home Loans that is set to expand its presence in the Southeastern U.S. Processing Content The deal adds 14 branches and 36 loan originators to Lower’s network. Founded in 2007, Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based Acopia is currently licensed in 12 states, stretching from Texas
Lower acquires Acopia, expands its Southeast U.S. reach Read More »
US mortgage rates slid last week to one of the lowest levels in years, sparking a flurry of purchase and refinancing activity that offers hope for a plodding housing market. Processing Content The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage dropped 7 basis points to 6.18% in the week ended Jan. 9, according to Mortgage Bankers
Mortgage rates slide to one of lowest levels since 2022 Read More »
US previously owned home sales climbed in December to the fastest pace since 2023, a welcome sign for a housing market that has lacked momentum for several years. Processing Content Contract closings rose 5.1% to a 4.35 million annualized pace last month, the highest since February 2023, according to figures released Wednesday by the National
US home resales climb to strongest pace since 2023 Read More »
While the fourth quarter’s mortgage fraud risk rate fell 55 basis points from the prior three months, loans submitted during the period had a record average issues per transaction, the Fundingshield Wire Fraud Risk Report found. Processing Content The last three months of 2025 was a period where a near 9% increase in volume from
Record defects plague mortgage closings as fraud risk dips Read More »
Mortgage rate-lock activity ended the year on a strong note in spite of seasonal trends, new industry data found. Processing Content Optimal Blue’s latest Market Advantage report showed total lock volume increased 2% from November and finished 30% higher than last December. The boost was driven primarily by rate-and-term refinances, which rose 13% on a
Lock activity increases in December, defying seasonal trends Read More »
Mortgage originations for JPMorgan Chase were “modestly” over what analysts expected, but even with the increase in the retail channel share, gain on sale was down. Processing Content This is an early downbeat sign for the independent mortgage banking community, a report from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods indicates. Chase is the first large bank to
JPM’s 4Q gain-on-sale drop off a negative sign for IMBs Read More »