Category: Top National News

HousingWire, Nov. 1, 2018–Jacob GaffneyIn two month’s time, President Donald Trump will be able to replace Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt, and there will also be new leadership at Fannie and Freddie. The represents a decisive opportunity for housing reform, something Trump has long supported.

Orange County Register, Nov. 1, 2018–Jeff LazersonIf affordability and qualifying are hurdles to a jumbo loan, there is some good news following a new report from CoreLogic that saw an 18 percent swan dive locally in year-over-year home sales. A new jumbo loan option eases borrowers into a permanent, fixed-rate mortgage by adding 10 years up front of lower interest-only payments, essentially making this a 40-year loan.

American Banker, Nov. 1, 2018–Rachel Witkowski (subscription)Among the key objectives with the CRA reform effort is redefining geographic areas in which banks are evaluated. Those areas are traditionally based on physical branch networks, but the rapid shift to digital banking has prompted a rethink.

HousingWire, Oct. 30, 2018–Jessica GuerinFederal Housing Administration Commissioner Brian Montgomery said Tuesday the agency is working to address the volatility within the reverse mortgage program, hinting that the industry can expect more change ahead.

National Mortgage News, Oct. 30, 2018–Elina Tarkazikis (subscrption)Housing policies are helping the number of vacant foreclosure homes drop, which could also mean homebuyers have been taking advantage of these properties as inventory continues to be constrained.

Wall Street Journal, Oct. 30, 2018–Esther Fung (subscription)It seemed one of the surest bets in real estate: build senior-housing facilities that cater to aging baby boomers who will require more care. The problem is, boomers haven’t much cooperated.

HousingWire, Oct. 29, 2018–Ben LaneIn the wake of taking action against SoFi for allegedly lying in its ads about how much borrowers can save by refinancing their student loans with the online lender, the Federal Trade Commission is also warning other lenders to not engage in similar activity.

National Mortgage News, Oct. 29, 2018–Josh Migdal (subscription)The author, with law firm Mark Migdal & Hayden, says there are signs in the nonbank mortgage market that now indicate there may be serious issues ahead.

National Mortgage News, Oct. 28, 2018–Hannah Lang (subscription)Michael Bright’s nomination to become president of Ginnie Mae has been pending since May and the agency that provides funding for government-insured mortgages has been without a permanent chief for almost two years.

Bloomberg, Oct. 27, 2018–Alexandre TanziThe median length of time Americans have owned their homes rose to a record of more than eight years in the third quarter, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. That’s up from 4.5 years when the recession ended in June 2009.