Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

Meanwhile, the median loan application amount grew from $319,000 in December to $324,800 in January. Higher payments across loan types Borrowers across different mortgage programs also saw their payments rise. Higher payments across loan types Borrowers across different mortgage programs also saw their payments rise.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 17, 2024

“The FHA share of applications, at 28%, continues to show that first-time homebuyers account for a significant share of new home demand. Conventional loans accounted for 61.6% of applications, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans for 28% and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans for 9.9%

FHA loan

Housing Wire

JULY 11, 2025

But not all loans are built the same in these scenarios. Government-backed loans like those from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the U.S. Cotality’s data shows that serious delinquency rates for FHA loans are five times higher than for conventional mortgages. Serious delinquencies for VA loans are 3.5

Mortgages

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

22, driven by a 12% increase in demand for purchase loans, according to data released Wednesday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The increase in conventional purchase applications helped push the average purchase loan size to $439,200, its highest level in almost a month. But government loans saw their shares shrink.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

MARCH 24, 2025

“A loan-to-value ratio that is too high, either because of a limited down payment or an appraisal of the home that resets the value used to calculate this ratio, can also be a factor,” she said. The type of mortgage also plays a role, with jumbo and nonconventional loans facing higher rejection rates.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

JUNE 30, 2025

Financing options, misplaced guidance Conventional loans remain the most common path to homeownership , but many first-time buyers also turn to government financing. Nearly 29% of first-time buyers used Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans , which require a minimum down payment of 3.5%. Another 9% used U.S.

VA loan

Housing Wire

MAY 19, 2025

And there has been a move away from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac products and toward offerings from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and U.S. . You’ve lowered the MIP; you’re making that mortgage insurance for that high-LTV loan cheaper. You’ve got to look at advances and things like that.

Loans

Housing Wire

MAY 28, 2025

FHA loan rates averaged 6.68%. The 5/1 option provides a fixed interest rate for the first five years, after which the rate adjusts annually based on market conditions. ARMs typically gain market share when rates are elevated, as borrowers can access lower initial rates compared to traditional fixed-rate mortgages.

VA loan

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Loan locks for refinances rose more than 20% year over year while purchase lock counts saw a 6% decrease, according to Optimal Blue ‘s January 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report released Thursday. of all locked loans in January. The average loan amount there was $576,385. It was followed by Dallas (3.4%

VA loan

Housing Wire

JANUARY 14, 2025

A report released Tuesday by Optimal Blue found that the conforming loan share sank to historic lows in December. More refis in December pulled market share away from other loan types, including conforming loans. ” The conforming loan share dropped by 1.5% mortgage market trends.

VA loan

Housing Wire

MAY 5, 2025

Gen Z was responsible for one in four loans issued to first-time homebuyers. And despite tightened affordability , first-time buyer purchase lending has held up better than activity among repeat buyers compared to 2018 and 2019 especially for conventional loans through the government-sponsored enterprises ( GSEs ). Washington, D.C.,

Lending

Housing Wire

JUNE 9, 2025

For Ginnie Mae loans, which often serve lower-income and first-time borrowers, DTIs have surged to 45.1%, the highest since 2008 1. in 2022 – while auto loans delinquencies hit 2.0%, and student loan delinquencies (90+ days past due) soared to 20%, a level unseen since 2012. The 2025 U.S. Today’s DTI average of 40.5%

Marketing

Housing Wire

JUNE 10, 2025

Amid expectations that interest rate declines may reignite refinance activity , Optimal Blue on Monday launched a new tool that automatically analyzes loan officer portfolios each month to identify recapture opportunities. The tool is designed to ensure loan officers are ready when refinance volume picks up. year over year.

Loan Officer

Housing Wire

JANUARY 22, 2025

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan borrowers must maintain escrow accounts for the entire loan cycle, regardless of equity. After that, 70% had higher homeowners’ insurance and 57% had higher premiums. Escrow accounts are required for conventional borrowers with 20% or less equity in their homes.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

MARCH 27, 2025

Mortgage affordability remained flat in February as the national median monthly payment for purchase loan applicants remained unchanged at $2,205. By product type, the median mortgage payment for conventional loan applicants was $2,226, up from $2,225 in January and up from $2,194 in February 2024. on an annual basis.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Purchase loan activity drove total applications higher last week, which included an adjustment for the Thanksgiving holiday. Rates for 30-year jumbo loans (balances above $766,550) decreased by 12 bps and averaged 6.85%. In 2025, jumbo loans will increase to a minimum size of $806,501 — a 5.2% in the prior week.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

JULY 23, 2025

Borrowers had an average FICO score of 737 and an average loan-to-value ratio of 51% in Q2 2025. Chief financial officer Kurt Johnson noted the company is closely monitoring the Ginnie Mae segment, particularly Federal Housing Administration ( FHA ) loans, which comprise 15% of the portfolio. Cooper President Mike Weinbach said.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Heres your game plan: Check your credit: A score of 640 opens the door to FHA loans and down payment assistance programs. If 2024 was a rollercoaster, 2025 is shaping up to be a championship gameand every buyer , seller and homeowner has a shot at winning big. Wrapping up 2024 Lets get one thing straight: 2024 kept us on our toes.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

The overall defect rate for mortgages declined across all loan types between the second and third quarters of 2024. Critical defects were found on 1.51% of all loans in the third quarter, a 17% decline from the defect rate of 1.81% in the second quarter. Income and employment was still the leading category for defects at 25%.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

JULY 7, 2025

The resumption of student loan payments and collection efforts on defaulted federal student loans in May, following a five-year pause, could increase financial pressure on some homeowners, according to ICE. Nationally, 25% of seriously delinquent loans would be underwater if sold at distressed ( REO ) prices.

Equity

Housing Wire

MARCH 5, 2025

Kan added that the FHA rate dipped to 6.42% and refinance activity saw its fastest pace since October 2024. The move in government refinances was driven by a 75% increase in VA loans, which have been prone to large changes in recent months, he shared. Mortgage applications increased 20.4% of total applications from 38.9%

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

JULY 31, 2025

An increase in the index equates to declining borrower affordability conditions, and the mortgage payment-to-income ratio is higher due to increasing application loan amounts, rising mortgage rates or a decrease in earnings. It occurs when loan application amounts decrease, mortgage rates decrease or earnings increase. “The

Mortgages

Housing Wire

APRIL 7, 2025

VA foreclosure starts pick up ICE noted that loans in active foreclosure rose by 2% in February, driven solely by a rise in VA foreclosures, as the market continues to normalize following the expiration of the VA foreclosure moratorium. That’s according to the latest Mortgage Monitor report from ICE Mortgage Technology. since mid-March.

FHA loan

Real Estate News

JUNE 16, 2025

Dave Gallagher June 16, 2025 3 mins Homebuyer down payments have started to dip, a sign that those who are using loans to help finance their purchases are shifting their focus to less expensive homes. There has also been an uptick in buyers using FHA and VA loans, which require lower down payments. Redfin found that 15.3%

VA loan

Housing Wire

JANUARY 15, 2025

Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans decreased. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA both saw increases for jumbo loans it was an increase to 7.05% from 6.99%, and for FHA loans the interest rate reached 6.76% from 6.65%.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

MARCH 21, 2025

Due to the debilitating wildfires in Los Angeles earlier this year, ICE says 4,100 homeowners in Los Angeles are now past due on their mortgages, up from 700 in January, with daily performance data suggesting that number could edge higher in March. Foreclosure starts (-17%) eased in February as the U.S. Starts saw a year-over-year change of 34.53%.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

MAY 1, 2025

Ive yet to see convincing data that says keeping a home off the market nets a better deal for the seller, Willoughby said. We have a fiduciary obligation to expose their home to as many buyers as possible to get the highest and best price. Why would we hide it? Lets be honest. Its not about strategy. Its about control.

Agents

Housing Wire

MAY 14, 2025

While the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 6.86%, the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances saw a small decrease to 6.85% from 6.86%. The news for the week was the growth in purchase applications , up 2.3% and almost 18% higher than last years pace.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

MAY 15, 2025

In terms of loan types: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan review share grew in Q4, with associated defect rates declining. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan defect rates remained largely unchanged, while U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan defect rates remained largely unchanged, while U.S.

VA loan

Real Estate News

JULY 7, 2025

Most first-time buyers (69%) rely on savings to fund their down payments, and 1 in 4 use gifts or loans from family members or friends. Majorities of both groups use conventional loans, and many (29% of first-time buyers and 10% of repeat buyers) use FHA loans, which offer down payments as low as 3.5%.

VA loan

Housing Wire

JULY 15, 2025

A recent report from the Urban Institute analyzed potential reasons behind the increasing number of delinquencies on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. Serious delinquencies among these newer loans are well above historic norms. The authors also evaluated FHA borrower characteristics as a potential reason.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

MARCH 11, 2025

After hitting a multiyear low in December, conforming loan volume continued to edge higher for a second straight month, reaching 52% of total lock volume. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) share remained just above 20%, while the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) share grew slightly to 11.5%. from the prior month.

Loans

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 13, 2025

Buy a Home Home-Buying Loan Types Low Down Payment Mortgages Conventional Loans VA Loans FHA Loans FHA 203k Rehab Loan USDA Loans Investment Property Mortgages Compare Home Buying Loans Home Buying Help Do I Need 20% Down? You don’t have to be a first-time buyer to use an FHA loan.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

JULY 11, 2025

All of these professions come into contact with individuals who are buying homes and could need a loan. Loan officer profile visible to leads (Source: LendingTree ) Want leads fast? From there, they complete qualification forms and are given loan options and lenders, like you, who can help them. Check out LendingTree.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

Multistate mortgage lender Click n’ Close on Thursday announced that it’s adding a 30-year, fixed-rate conventional loan option to its SmartBuy Shared Appreciation Mortgage (SAM) program. SAM loans grant the lender a share of the home’s future appreciation in exchange for a lower interest rate.

Loans

Housing Wire

JANUARY 9, 2025

The column is likely referencing the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage ( HECM ) program insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Loan proceeds are dependent on the amount of equity in the home and current interest rates, the column noted, and there are multiple disbursement options available, the column noted.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

MARCH 27, 2025

Modest down payments often used by first-time buyers or those with government-backed loans also increased but remained below 2022 peaks. “As mortgage rates ease, a more diverse set of buyers, in terms of budgets, will likely enter the market, and the incentive to minimize their home loan will soften,” Hale said. .

Equity