Consumer Confidence Dips for 2nd Straight Month

The Conference Board, New York, said its Consumer Confidence Index declined in December, the second straight monthly decline economic uncertainty following a resurgence in the coronavirus pandemic.

November Existing Home Sales Down 2.5%

Low housing inventories finally caught up with November existing home sales, which fell for the first time in five months, the National Association of Realtors reported yesterday.

MBA: Share of Mortgages in Forbearance Ticks Up

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest Forbearance & Call Center Survey reported loans in forbearance increased slightly to 5.49% of servicers’ portfolio volume as of December 13 from 5.49% the prior week. MBA estimates 2.7 million homeowners are in forbearance plans.

MBA: Share of Mortgages in Forbearance Ticks Up

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest Forbearance & Call Center Survey reported loans in forbearance increased slightly to 5.49% of servicers’ portfolio volume as of December 13 from 5.49% the prior week. MBA estimates 2.7 million homeowners are in forbearance plans.

Chris Mason: ‘Dear Management’…

2020 is ending…and 2021 is coming into view. A few thoughts that should be dancing around in your head…along with those sugar plums.

ACES: Critical Defect Rate Highest Since 2018

ACES Quality Management, Denver, said its quarterly Mortgage QC Trends Report for the second quarter reported the overall critical defect rate of 1.88% is the highest quarterly rate since 2018.

Builder Confidence Dips from Record Highs, But Stays Strong

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family home fell for the first time in three months in December, but remained strongly optimistic, the National Association of Home Builders reported yesterday.

Genworth: Largest First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Market in 20 Years

Historically low interest rates, change in home preferences, flexible work schedules and increased housing affordability triggered substantial rebound in first-time homebuyer market in the third quarter, said Genworth Mortgage Insurance, Richmond, Va.