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ICE: First-time homebuyers account for record share of agency lending in Q1 2025

Housing Wire

Intercontinental Exchange ‘s May 2025 Mortgage Monitor Report, released Monday, found that first-time homebuyers accounted for a record share of agency purchase lending (58%) in the first quarter 2025. They accounted for a record 82% of agency lending in 2023, more than 75% in 2024 and nearly three-quarters in Q1 2025.

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Mortgage demand drops 22% during holidays as rates move higher

Housing Wire

Government lending programs saw mixed results as applications for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans fell by 60 bps to a market share of 16.6%, while applications for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans rose by 50 bps to a share of 15.7%. Rates for 30-year jumbo loans jumped 14 bps to 7.13%.

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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

It also ties into architects and builders creating smaller, denser homes to help close the affordable housing supply gap. As a result, more buyers are turning to products like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which accounted for 24% of primary home purchases in 2024, and U.S.

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Loan officers are seeing an uptick in FHA, VA demand

Housing Wire

According to the MBA, rates for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans dipped to 6.42%, while refinance activity posted its fastest pace since October 2024. “Since government loans tend to have lower interest rates and easier qualifications than conventional loans, the increase is exacerbated with these programs.

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Open Mortgage has FHA direct endorsement authority terminated in Iowa

Housing Wire

Following the decision, FHA loans already underwritten and approved by a Direct Endorsement underwriter, as well as cases with a firm commitment issued by HUD, may be submitted for insurance endorsement. Cases in the early stages may be transferred to other lenders with an FHA approval.

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Eyeing expansion, Go Mortgage snags 160+ former FoA employees

Housing Wire

After Finance of America Companies closed its forward mortgage origination unit in October, a total of 21 FoA retail branches transitioned to Go Mortgage, said Steven Reich, a division president at Go Mortgage and former executive at FoA, in an interview with HousingWire. “Refis are the easier product of the industry,” Reich said. “We

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Should I pay off student loans before buying my first home?

Housing Wire

Gone are the days when you had to put 20% down to get approved for a loan to purchase a home. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down. An FHA loan requires as little as 3.5% One good thing about student loans is they typically don’t have as high of an interest rate as other loans.