How Technology Plays a Part in Getting a Mortgage Today

U.S. News & World Report, July 12, 2017–Devon ThorsbyLenders are beginning to embrace more new technology, and new lenders are even entering the game based around an automated platform.

Yellen: Inflation Should Rebound, but Fed Could Alter Policy if Softness Persists

Wall Street Journal, July 12, 2017–Nick Timiraos (subscription)Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen, seeking to address a recent puzzling slowdown in global inflation, said she expects forces holding down consumer prices to fade in the months ahead, allowing the central bank to stick to its plans for gradual interest-rate increases.

Big-Bank Construction Loans Said to Grow with Other Asset Classes

National Mortgage News, July 12, 2017–Brian Collins (subscription)New data shows large commercial banks are increasing their originations of single-family construction loans, but these loans still represent a small percentage of their total assets.

Ellie Mae: Homebuying Millennials Not Motivated by Starting Families

HousingWire, July 12, 2017–Kelsey RamirezMillennials are entering the housing market, many for the first time, and fighting over the limited housing inventory available, according to May’s Millennial Tracker report from Ellie Mae. However, the reasons they are buying homes are not from the usual motivation: Starting a family.

Blockchain: What Is It and Why Should Mortgage Lenders Care?

Mortgage Orb, July 12, 2017–Jason NadeauThere’s a reason that so few people have a firm grasp on what blockchain technology is and does. It’s because it is not just one thing, and understanding its different uses can be complicated.

Amazon Quietly Reveals Possible Expansion into Real Estate

Housing Wire, July 12, 2017–Brena Swanson As shoppers scoured Amazon’s website on Tuesday for its annual Prime day deals, the online shopping giant quietly disclosed a new service coming soon to its users, which would embark into the world of real estate and turn it into a competitor with Zillow and Redfin.

Flow GSE Offering for MSRs On at Least $720 Mil

Mortgage Daily, July 12, 2017The co-issue flow offering is for MSRs on between $60 million and $90 million per month in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac residential loans.

FHA Endorsements Drop, Headed Lower

Mortgage Daily, July 12, 2017Monthly business turned lower at the Federal Housing Administration, and a further decline is likely. Meanwhile, delinquency deteriorated.