Housing Wire

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Market data at HousingWire ‘s Mortgage Rates Center showed an average fixed rate of 6.87% for 30-year conforming loans on Wednesday, a slight increase from the week ending on Dec. “Conventional and VA purchase applications drove this week’s increase in purchase activity on a weekly and annual basis,” Kan added.

VA loan

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 17, 2024

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% The average loan size for new homes decreased to $402,873, down from $409,942 in October. from the 56,000 sales in October. in November.

FHA loan

Housing Wire

JUNE 18, 2025

Mortgage rates decreased last week, driven by financial market volatility caused by current geopolitical conflict and ongoing tariff uncertainties. The unadjusted purchase index decreased 5% compared with the previous week and was 14% higher than the same week one year ago.

VA loan

Housing Wire

JANUARY 2, 2025

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%. For the week ending Dec.

FHA 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. Jumbo mortgage rates were up 2 bps, VA loan rates were up 4 bps and FHA loan rates remained unchanged.

VA loan

Real Estate News

JUNE 16, 2025

There has also been an uptick in buyers using FHA and VA loans, which require lower down payments. The shift from a sellers market to the more balanced markets recently seen in many metro areas could also be factoring in. of mortgage sales used an FHA loan in April, up from 14.2% For VA loans, the share was 7.2%

VA loan

Housing Wire

MARCH 13, 2025

The share of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan applications hit a record high for the survey, accounting for nearly one-third of all applications. The average loan size decreased, signaling that first-time homebuyers remain active in the market, Kan said. By loan type, conventional mortgages made up 56.7%

FHA loan

Housing Wire

JUNE 30, 2025

Nearly 29% of first-time buyers used Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans , which require a minimum down payment of 3.5%. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans , which do not require a down payment at all. Another 9% used U.S. Lautz also emphasized the importance of getting accurate information.

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. Optimal Blue’s December 2024 Market Advantage report is a monthly study that analyzes key indicators to provide insights into U.S. mortgage market trends. ” The conforming loan share dropped by 1.5%

VA loan

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 11, 2024

In addition to lower rates, purchase activity continues to be supported by sustained housing demand and inventory that continues to grow gradually in many markets,” Kan added. Government loan activity saw a slight jump. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans followed suit, jumping 270 bps to 16.3%

As-is

Housing Wire

JULY 11, 2025

We have housing markets in the country where inventory is growing, and there are a ton of opportunities for homebuyers. As the top VA purchase loan officer for the last two years, I have seen the solution. Simple, you can only do it with VA loans. I utilize it for my clients every day. We do this all the time.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

With the growth in for-sale inventory and signs that the economy remains strong, buyers have remained in the market even though rates have increased recently. The increase in conventional purchase applications helped push the average purchase loan size to $439,200, its highest level in almost a month. of applications.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 3, 2024

We are thrilled to see FICO Score 10 T at the heart of this milestone security,” Joe Zeibert, vice president of mortgage and capital Markets at FICO, said in a statement. “By Cardinal claims to be one of the first lenders to adopt FICO 10 T for its nonconforming loans. In October, Cardinal started using the model to originate VA loans.

VA loan

Housing Wire

APRIL 8, 2025

A strong wave of refinance activity and renewed buyer interest lifted mortgage rate lock volumes in March, according to Optimal Blues latest Market Advantage report. These loans, including jumbo and non-qualified mortgage offerings, accounted for 16.8% of total lock volume.

Loans

Housing Wire

MAY 5, 2025

ICE attributes this to a higher interest rate environment that continued to dampen repeat buyer participation in the market. Younger homebuyers are picking up market share with lenders this spring, with people age 35 and under accounting for more than half of financed home purchases by first-time buyers in Q1. Washington, D.C.,

Lending

Housing Wire

APRIL 2, 2025

Roam gives Americans the tools to save themselves from the increasing disconnect between what families can afford and what the median home sells for in this market. Assumable mortgages let buyers take over a sellers loan, with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans about one-third of all U.S.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

By making an offer of compensation, sellers communicate to buyers, as a marketing tactic, that their transaction costs may be reduced. They will continue to charge the highest price the market will bear, and leave buyers with an added up-front cost. High housing prices are caused by a housing shortage.

Debt-to-income ratio

Housing Wire

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

The Mortgage Bankers Association ‘s market composite index increased 6% on an unadjusted basis compared with the previous week. The average loan size for a purchase application increased to its highest level since March 2022 at $456,100, partially driven by fewer FHA purchase applications but more VA loans compared to the previous week.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

APRIL 18, 2025

By product type, conventional loans composed 49.0% of loan applications, FHA loans composed 37.0%, RHS/ USDA loans composed 0.9% and VA loans composed 13%. The average loan size for new homes decreased from $397,516 in February to $381,921 in March.

VA loan

Housing Wire

MAY 2, 2025

When industry experts think about what could lead to a significant departure of loan officers and real estate agents, two main things come to mind: AI and market conditions. Although AI and market conditions will have some level of impact, a much bigger game-changer is coming to the industry.

Agents

Housing Wire

DECEMBER 6, 2024

We’ll also share best practices for developing and sending real estate newsletters and recommend some essential tools to make your email marketing stand out. Save time with pre-written newsletters from Market Leader Don’t have time to write three or more newsletters every month? Lets dive in!

Pre-approval

Housing Wire

APRIL 24, 2025

The VAs Trial Payment Plan (TPP), which allows borrowers to demonstrate their ability to make a modified monthly payment, will be allowed to continue through Aug. Servicers must report the completion status of TPPs in the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface (VALERI) by Aug. 31, the circular explained.

Industrial

Housing Wire

APRIL 28, 2025

rose to a six-quarter high during the first three months of 2025, fueled by a surge in properties that hit the market after the expiration of post-pandemic protections, according to a report from Auction.com. Major markets such as Houston , Chicago , Dallas , St. Foreclosure auction activity across the U.S.

Loans

The Mortgage Report

JUNE 12, 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? Easier loan approval — disability income counts toward qualification.

VA loan

Real Estate News

JULY 7, 2025

While there are signs that the market is shifting in buyers' favor , affordability remains a pressure point for many as home prices and mortgage rates remain high. 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

BAM Media

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

® released a report showcasing the benefits that VA loans offer to military families. of homes purchased with VA loans involved down payments of less than 10%, and 74.5% purchased with 0% down—a standout feature of VA loans. average for conforming loans. .” average for conforming loans.

VA loan

BAM Media

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Whats driving the housing market in 2025? Despite ongoing challenges like high mortgage rates and stretched budgets, these top 10 markets have found ways to thrive. Despite ongoing challenges like high mortgage rates and stretched budgets, these top 10 markets have found ways to thrive. McAllen, TX, stands out, with 61.7%

New Construction

Housing Wire

MAY 14, 2025

Last week saw steadier mortgage rates, as the FOMC meeting played as predicted, and market movements led to a small two-basis point increase in the 30-year conforming rate to 6.86%, said Mike Fratantoni , MBAs SVP and chief economist.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Keeping Current Matters

AUGUST 4, 2025

If you qualify for an FHA loan, you may only need to put 3.5% And VA loans typically don’t require a down payment at all. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the typical down payment for first-time buyers has been between 6% and 9% since 2018. But there’s more to the story.

VA loan

Housing Wire

APRIL 2, 2025

Treasury yields continue to be volatile as economic uncertainty dominates markets. Overall purchase activity has shown year-over-year growth for more than two months as the inventory of existing homes for sale continues to increase, a positive development for the housing market despite the uncertain near-term outlook.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

APRIL 23, 2025

From January to March, Mr. Cooper’s servicing portfolio delivered $214 million in pretax income, including $82 million in mark-to-market. Customers have an average FICO score of 736, and loan-to-value ratios averaged 52%. Cooper had 6.5 million servicing customers in the first quarter. ” Mr. .”

VA loan

Marco Santarelli

JANUARY 2, 2025

The rising rates may present challenges, but understanding the trend can provide some clarity for those looking to navigate this complex market. Bond Market : The yield on U.S. For example, a 5/1 ARM might start at 6.71% for the first five years and can then adjust annually, depending on market conditions.

Mortgages

Housing Wire

MARCH 19, 2025

The Market Composite Index, which measures mortgage loan application volume, decreased 6.2% Growing inventories of homes on the market and steadier mortgage rates are supporting homebuying activity thus far this spring. Mortgage applications decreased 6.2% from last week, which marked the first decrease in several weeks.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

APRIL 30, 2025

Mortgage application activity, particularly for home purchases, continues to be subdued by broader economic uncertainty and signs of labor market weakness, dropping to the slowest pace since February, said Kan.

Fixed-rate mortgage

Housing Wire

MAY 19, 2025

With rates in the high-6% range on 30-year fixed products, borrowers are increasingly turning to 7/1 ARM products , said Mike Fratantoni , chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association , during the trade group’s Secondary & Capital Markets Conference on Monday in New York City. It was a more affordable mortgage.”

Loans

Housing Wire

MARCH 11, 2025

Optimal Blue ‘s February 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, released Tuesday, showcased a 7% month-over-month increase in mortgage lock volume , which the company said was primarily driven by a surge in refinance activity.

Loans

Marco Santarelli

DECEMBER 31, 2024

This trend reinforces the idea that now could be an advantageous time to engage in the housing market, especially as rates are projected to gradually decline further in 2025. 30-Year VA 6.08% -0.04 15-Year VA 5.63% -0.07 5/1 VA 6.27% -0.03 30-Year VA 6.11% -0.03 15-Year VA 5.99% -0.01 5/1 VA 6.50% -0.04

Mortgages