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First-time homebuyers made up a record share of agency purchase loans in 2023

Housing Wire

A record 47% of government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) purchase loans in 2023 came from first-time homebuyers, a number that’s been trending gradually higher throughout the past decade. Looking back, last year’s market was dominated by purchase lending, with loans to buy homes making up 82% of a historically low number of originations.

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

Housing Wire

Do I need to pay off my student loans before buying my first home? What it really comes down to is whether or not you feel comfortable paying a mortgage (and all the other fun expenses that come with having a home), while also paying off student loans. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down.

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Freedom Mortgage founder addresses ’extraordinary’ credit profiles, profitability and products 

Housing Wire

So, start making money on every loan. Amid a challenging environment, Freedom has kept its cost structure low and has acquired loans to increase its servicing portfolio. Inside Mortgage Finance (IMF) estimates Freedom’s owned mortgage servicing was $458 billion at the end of 2023, up 1.3% Guess what?

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What is a Non-Conforming Loan When Buying a Home?

HomeLight

When buying a home, mortgages fall under one of two classifications — conforming and non-conforming loans. Most Americans financing a house will typically use a conforming loan, which means it “conforms” to guidelines that allow the loans to be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, two of the largest mortgage buyers in the country.

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Positive signs abound for 2024 housing market: ICE

Housing Wire

If 30-year rates fall to 6% by the fourth quarter, as the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and Fannie Mae are currently predicting , the overall population of loans with a 75-bps refi incentive would more than double from 1.7 Nearly 60% of that growth would come from loans originated in 2023, ICE projected. million to 3.8

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NewRez now offers Freddie Mac’s revamped downpayment assistance program

Housing Wire

Freddie Mac’s BorrowSmart Access program will be available to NewRez borrowers through Caliber Home Loans ‘ national network of branches. The special purpose credit program is an extension of the government sponsored enterprise’s equitable housing finance plan.

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The mortgage industry is nervous about LLPA fee changes

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency this week made a series of significant changes to loan level pricing adjustment (LLPA) fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on conventional/conforming mortgages. The changes include updates to pricing for second homes, high-balance loans and cash-out refinances that were first announced in 2022.