The Lede

The percentage of refinance home loans increased three points to 35 percent of all closed mortgages--reversing a two-month dip--reported Ellie Mae, Pleasanton, Calif.

A limited supply of houses has created a highly competitive housing market--which in turn is keeping cash sales significantly above historical norms and dampening mortgage originations, reported Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, Washington, D.C. yesterday announced modifications to the streamlined refinance program for borrowers with high loan-to-value ratios.

More than 14 million U.S. properties were "equity rich"--meaning loans secured by the property were 50 percent or less of market value--in the second quarter, reported ATTOM Data Solutions, Irvine, Calif.

Looming geopolitical tensions and the growing potential for a U.S. government shutdown as well as a technical default pose risks to the economy but are not expected to derail full-year growth of 2.0 percent, according to the Fannie Mae Economic & Strategic Research Group's August Economic and Housing Outlook.

Commercial property market supply and demand fundamentals remained stable in the first quarter, reported Moody's Investors Service, New York.

Mortgage Bankers Association Education announced the creation of the Certified Mortgage Compliance Professional designation--and the opportunity to take the classes for designation's first level at no charge in conjunction with MBA's upcoming Regulatory Compliance Conference in Washington D.C.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 17, 2017--Lev BorodovskyBased on the disposable income per capita (or per employee) metric, U.S. home prices are roughly in line with historical averages. But Other measures suggest that homes are already overvalued.

National Mortgage Professional, Aug. 21, 2017--Vic LanceThe New York State Department of Financial Services recently re-adopted a registration procedure for mortgage loan servicers. As a part of the process, professionals need to meet bonding requirements and provide appropriate errors and omissions insurance coverage.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 21, 2017Like its secondary cousin, Fannie Mae will begin allowing some home-purchase financing loans without appraisals.

HousingWire, Aug. 21, 2017--Ben LaneMr. Cooper, the nonbank that officially left the name Nationstar behind on Monday, is already the most unique name in the mortgage business. When using the Mr. Cooper Home Rewards credit card, customers can earn cash back that will be applied to the principal balance on their mortgage.

Scotsman Guide, Aug. 21, 2017--Victor WhitmanThe nation's largest mortgage banking trade group, the Mortgage Bankers Association, recently urged its members to reach out to representatives in support of bills that would extend the program.

Commercial Property Executive, Aug. 15, 2017--Daniel HalprinThe departure of a department store or big-box retailer may actually represent an opportunity for landlords.

HousingWire, Aug. 15, 2017--Brena SwansonDespite a slight increase in July, the default rate for first mortgage loans still sits at its lowest point in the last 10 years, according to the latest S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 15, 2017 (subscription)Both first- and second-lien mortgage default rates last month were higher than in June, and second-lien defaults also edged up from where they were a year ago.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 15, 2017On a quarterly basis, the nation's book of mortgages expanded, though home-secured credit lines contracted. Mortgage delinquency improved.

HousingWire, Aug. 21, 2017--Caroline BasileIn a recent LinkedIn post, Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David Stevens called on mortgage and real estate professionals to voice their opinions to the House of Representatives on the upcoming expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 16, 2017--Thomas O'Neill; Melissa Bruynell ManesseThe Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that its ruling in Pinti v. Emigrant Mortgage Co."applies in any case where the issue was timely and fairly asserted in the trial court or on appeal before July 17, 2015."

HousingWire, Aug. 16, 2017--Kelsey RamirezMortgage delinquencies are continuing to fall, hitting a new low in the second quarter, a report from TransUnion--one of the three largest credit-reporting agencies in the U.S.--showed.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 17, 2017 (subscription)In August 2007, the first blow was struck that shattered everything American investors thought they knew about markets.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 17, 2017The latest real estate finance forecast has mortgage refinance production for this year and next year up by more than $40 billion from what was expected a month ago.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 17, 2017The government-funded refinance program for borrowers on government-sponsored enterprise mortgages with little equity has been extended despite fading activity.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 18, 2017Freddie Mac's forecast for mortgage refinances during the second half of this year has been increased, though it was at the expense of the second-quarter estimate.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 18, 2017--Chris Masten (subscription)Mortgage holders could see their security interest wiped out if a borrower in Texas or Nevada gets a property tax loan where the lien has priority over the first mortgage.

Chicago Tribune, Aug. 18, 2017--Jeff OstrowskiPresident Donald Trump's recent decision to pay off a $1.2 million loan on a home he owns in Palm Beach raises an intriguing question: why would a billionaire bother with a relatively tiny mortgage?