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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The company’s newest National Housing Market Outlook shows that buyers are gravitating toward government-backed loans in their search for affordability. 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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CFPB sues Vanderbilt, a Berkshire Hathaway lender, over risky home loans

Housing Wire

Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance , part of Warren Buffetts conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway , has been accused by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) of manipulating underwriting standards and setting borrowers up to fail in manufactured home loans. The consumer watchdog on Monday filed a lawsuit in a U.S.

Loans 448
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Will AI replace the loan officer?

Housing Wire

The industry fears AI will ultimately replace everyone, from operations to loan officers. As a loan officer , I am not losing any sleep, and here is why you should not, either. Call centers pay their loan officer vastly lower amounts than a broker or retail lender makes. Loan officers cost money, but so does advertising.

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Better launches voice-based AI loan assistant

Housing Wire

Better Home & Finance, the parent company of digital lender Better.com , launched its voice-based artificial intelligence loan assistant on Thursday. ” The AI loan assistant, dubbed Betsy, was built through Tinman, the company’s proprietary loan origination platform, where information and facts on loan applications are stored.

Loans 435
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Refi activity surged in March, and non-agency loans are picking up steam

Housing Wire

Refinances made up a quarter of all lock activity for the first time in six months, and we saw a clear rise in non-conforming loan share as buyers looked for more flexible options and higher loan amounts. The pull-through rate for refinance loans rose to 63.3%, indicating stronger borrower commitment compared to earlier months.

Loans 343
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Better Mortgage partners with NEO Home Loans to transform “local” mortgage lending

Housing Wire

Purchase loans are now outpacing refinances, and interest rates are reaching the stratosphere. In this executive interview, NEO Home Loans President Ryan Grant discusses the company’s partnership with Better Mortgage , which is aimed at combining technological innovation and local market knowledge. Now they dont have to.

Lending 369
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CFPB rule applies mortgage protections to clean energy loans

Housing Wire

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Tuesday announced a final rule governing the Property Assessed Clean Energy ( PACE ) loan program. The rule applies existing protections for residential mortgages to borrowers who seek PACE loans to upgrade or renovate their homes through clean energy technology.

Loans 396