UExpress, Dec. 14, 2018–Lew SichelmanWhat we’re talking about here is called the “statutory right of redemption.” Simply put, it gives a former owner whose property has been taken back in a foreclosure proceeding the ability to redeem the mortgage and keep said property — if, within a prescribed time frame, the former owner is somehow able to come up with enough money to repay what was owed.
Category: Top National News

A Messy Brexit May Agitate an Already Shaky Housing Market
National Mortgage News, Dec. 12, 2018–Multiple Staff (Free article)Market disruption from Brexit remains relatively contained to Europe and doesn’t exert much long-term influence in the U.S., according to Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

MBA: New Home Purchases Dropped 11% in November
The Mortgage Leader, Dec. 13, 2018Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey data shos mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 11 percent in November compared with the same time period a year ago. Compared to October 2018, applications declined by 14 percent.

Economists Scale Back Their Projections for Fed Rate Increases
Wall Street Journal, Dec. 13, 2018–Kate Davidson (subscription)Private economists tempered their expectations for the path of interest rates next year in a new Wall Street Journal survey, and many foresee the Federal Reserve cutting rates starting in 2020.

Zillow to Begin Buying Houses in California, North Carolina
HousingWire, Dec. 13, 2018–Ben LaneZillow announced this week that it is expanding its direct buyer program to Riverside, Calif., and Charlotte, N.C.

Mortgage Rates Plunge to Their Lowest Level in Three Months
Washington Post, Dec. 13–Kathy Orton Your 401(k) might not be doing so great these days, but for those looking to buy or refinance a home, the stock market’s fluctuations have been a holiday gift. Investors’ anxiety is pushing mortgage rates lower.

Angelo Mozilo, Ex-CEO of Failed Countrywide Financial, Praised at Mortgage Conference
Orange County Register, Dec. 13, 2018–Jeff LazersonThe former Countrywide CEO appeared at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers convention in Las Vegas.

Commercial and Multifamily Mortgage Debt Hit New Peak in Q3
National Mortgage Professional, Dec. 13, 2018–Phil HallCommercial and multifamily mortgage debt reached a new peak in the third quarter, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Two Democrats Added to Senate Banking Committee in New Term
American Banker, Dec. 13, 2018–Neil Haggerty (subscription)Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., will join the panel just as Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who both lost re-election bids in November, are departing.

Trump Picks Calabria to Head Federal Housing Finance Agency
Mortgage Orb, Dec. 12, 2018–Patrick BarnardPresident Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his intent to nominate Mark Calabria – who currently serves as chief economist for Vice President Mike Pence – to replace Mel Watt as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. (MBA mention)