As a result of the problems encountered in 2007 and 2008, the emphasis has been, and still is, on a housing market recovery through an improving economy, restoration of home values, and protecting consumers against predatory lending. Actions toward this end, include such things as: Placing Fannie & Freddie into a Conservatorship The Treasury investing in Mortgage Backed Securities Creation…
According to Genworth’s most recent First-Time Home Buyer Market Report, first-time homebuyers play a pivotal role in influencing housing inventory and home prices because they represent the shift in demand from rental to owner occupancy. Talk about having a firm grasp of the obvious. Over the past 20 years or so, first time home buyers have represented about 45% of…
With Millennials now entering the home buying market, lenders are looking for ways to best serve their needs. Some recent studies turned up some important and surprising results. For the most part, this new high-tech generation isn’t much different from prior generations when it comes to mortgages. Yes, this group is more tech-savvy and willing to use technology in their…
Advancements in technology have led many to question the continued role of the Loan Originator in the home financing process. Could it be that the appraiser is the one at risk? With databases constantly being fed information about property values, market conditions, area employment trends, and other information pertinent to determining property values, will we continue to need a physical…
With all the sophisticated equipment and computer models forecasting, the weather is still not an exact science. It all depends on which way the wind blows. It seems that predicting mortgage default rates is about the same. According to recent reports on default risk: The Universal Financial Associates (UFA) Default Risk Index says it’s up 25% over 2016 Corelogic says…
The year started out with great anticipation. We had a new president, a new administration, with plans to improve the economy and get people working again. Even with talk of interest rate hikes, things were buzzing due to the potential for more jobs, wage growth, fewer regulations, with tax and healthcare reforms. America was ready to get back to the…
