National Mortgage News, May 29, 2018–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Ditech Holding Corp. has received a second notice from the New York Stock Exchange warning its common stock could be delisted for not being in compliance with the exchange’s requirements. The company has yet to announce its first-quarter results and has not filed its 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Category: Top National News

The Average Size of All Mortgages Actually Fell Last Month
HousingWire, May 29, 2018–Jacob GaffneyAccording to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the average loan amount for all loans was $312,900 in April. That’s down $4,400 from $317,300 in March. But, there is no denying that mortgage rates will keep going up.

Ocwen CFO Michael Bourque Announces Resignation
DS News, May 29, 2018–David WhartonOcwen Financial Corporation, a financial services holding company, today announced that EVP and CFO Michael Bourque has made the decision to resign.

California Home Lender Stops Originating
Mortgage Daily, May 29, 2018A notice on First Direct Lending’s website says it “is no longer accepting new applications or funding new loans.” Vendors and creditors of the company are being directed to an accounting email address.

Home Lenders Take More Risks as Originations Fall
Mortgage Daily, May 29, 2018VantageScore Solutions LLC said risk on new home loans increased by 3.7 percent compared to the third quarter, when U.S. originators generated $424 billion in new mortgage production.

JLL: U.S. Multifamily Housing Market Increases in Competitiveness
HousingWire, May 29, 2018–Alcynna LloydRecent research suggests that U.S. landlords experienced an increase in competitiveness, and global real estate investment and corporate activity were at their highest levels for a decade in the first months of 2018, according to a new report from JLL.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Rebounds, House Prices Increase
Reuters, May 29, 2018–Lucia MutikaniConsumer confidence rebounded in May, but households were a bit pessimistic about their short-term income prospects even as they expected strong job growth to persist, which could restrain consumer spending.

If Mortgage Rates Keep Rising, Home Prices Wil be Forced to Fall
Wolf Street, May 26, 2018–Wolf RichterAs rates are rising, homebuyers are trying to lock in current rates before they rise further, and demand for mortgages continues to be strong. (MBA mention)

Fed’s Powell Says Central Banks Can’t Take Independence for Granted
Wall Street Journal, May 25, 2018–Nick Timiraos (subscription)An erosion of public trust in institutions could threaten the independence of central banks and requires greater transparency and accountability from policy makers following the 2008 financial crisis, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said Friday.

Home Values Soar, First-Time Buyers Decline
National Mortgage Professional, May 25, 2018–Phil HallNational median home values recorded an 8.7 percent increase in April to $215,600, according to new data from Zillow. This represents the fastest rise in home values in June 2006, when they were appreciating at an annualized rate of nine percent.