Orange County Register, Feb. 6, 2020–Jeff LazersonNo-cost refinancing with an improved mortgage is the ticket right now because rates may be trending lower for quite a while. You might be …
Category: Top National News
Minority Homeownership Rate Hits 8-Year High
Scotsman Guide, Feb. 5, 2020–Arnie AurellanoData from the U.S. Census Bureau’s quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership Survey revealed that the nation’s minority homeownership rate increased to 48.6% in fourth-quarter 2019.https://www.scotsmanguide.com/browse/content/minority-homeownership-rate-highest-since-2011?utm_source=The%20Originator_02%2F06%2F2020&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20Originator
Lenders Continue to Shed Higher Risk Programs
Mortgage News Daily, Feb. 6, 2020–Jann SwansonAvailability of mortgage credit declined slightly last month. The Mortgage Bankers Association said its Mortgage Credit Availability Index dipped 0.2 percent to 181.9 in …
De Blasio to Announce Housing Plan Revamp, New Push for Tenant Protections
Politico, Feb. 6, 2020–Janaki ChadhaonMayor Bill de Blasio will announce a reworking of his ambitious housing program on Thursday that aims to generate more apartments for the lowest-income New Yorkers, …
Americans are Equity-Rich as Home Values Rise
HousingWire, Feb. 6, 2020–Julia FalconAlmost 15 million homes in the U.S. were equity-rich in the fourth quarter, meaning their mortgages were 50% or less of their estimated market value, according …
Fixed Mortgage Rates Hit Three-Year Lows But May be Headed Higher Soon
Washington Post, Feb. 6, 2020–Kathy OrtonFixed mortgage rates sank to their lowest level in three years on fears about the economic impact of the coronavirus. (MBA mention)https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/02/06/fixed-mortgage-rates-hit-three-year-lows-may-be-headed-higher-soon/
Why House Democrats are at Odds over Rate Cap Bill
American Banker, Feb. 5, 2020–Neil Haggerty (subscription)An intraparty rift went public Wednesday over legislation that would impose a 36% rate limit on all consumer loans. Critics are concerned it would …
U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows in 2019 for First Time in Six Years
Reuters, Feb. 5, 2020–Lucia MutikaniThe U.S. trade deficit fell for the first time in six years in 2019 as the White House’s trade war with China curbed the import bill, …
Genworth’s U.S. Mortgage Insurance Business Nearly Doubles in 4Q
National Mortgage News, Feb. 5, 2020–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)The U.S. mortgage business remained a bright spot for Genworth Financial, whose fourth quarter adjusted operating income increased by 29 percent.https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/genworths-u-s-mortgage-insurance-business-nearly-doubles-in-4q19
Allstate, Chubb Profits Rise on Disaster Claim Decline, Premium Growth
Wall Street Journal, Feb. 5, 2020–Leslie Scism (subscription)Property-and-casualty insurance giants Chubb Ltd. and Allstate Corp. posted strong profit gains in the fourth quarter, thanks to fewer catastrophe claims and premium …