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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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Down payments are getting smaller as buyers scoop up FHA, VA loans

Housing Wire

Cooling home-price appreciation has led to sellers outnumbering buyers and the market shifting in buyers’ favor, Redfin reported. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, another contributor to lower down payment amounts. Roughly one in seven (15.3%) mortgaged sales used an FHA loan in April 2025, up from 14.2% a year earlier.

VA loan 395
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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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FHFA conforming loan limits increase to $806,500 in 2025

Housing Wire

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has set a new baseline conforming loan limit of $806,500 for one-unit properties in 2025, authorizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase mortgages up to this amount. The adjustment indicates a weaker housing market this year, driven by still-elevated mortgage rates. Virgin Islands.

Loans 417
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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 417
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One mortgage lender abandons the Florida condo market

Housing Wire

Provident told broker partners that all loans in the pipeline must be locked by 11:59 p.m. Additionally, all loans currently locked must be funded by the lock expiration date. In particular it’s created a glut of 30-plus-year-old units on the market, with few takers. PST on Oct. 31 or they’ll be declined.

Mortgages 523
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Will the 2025 housing market crash like 2008?

Housing Wire

housing market is flashing warning signs reminiscent of 2008: rising household debt burdens, persistent inflation and home prices that are outpacing incomes. 2025 housing market risks: Echoes of 2008 Several economic indicators signal increasing risks in the 2025 housing market. Regional market imbalances amplify these risks.

Marketing 449