U.S. Housing Market Commentary

Posted by Brena Swanson on 5/22/13 at 12:37pm

Mortgage applications posted that the refinance share of overall mortgage activity slightly fell to 74% of total applications, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. 

Despite the small drop, the refinance share of mortgage applications has hovered around 75% for quite some time.

But a quick look back in history paints...

Lending
Posted by Christina Mlynski on 5/22/13 at 10:59am

All signs point to a housing market that is finally gaining momentum.

With existing-home sales increasing in April and Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, pointing to the housing market as a positive economic indicator of growth...

Investments
Posted by Jacob Gaffney on 5/22/13 at 9:13am

This headline is correct.

At least I think it is.

Recently HousingWire reported that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau forced a Texas homebuilder, Paul Taylor, to give up $118,194.20.

Taylor received the money for mortgage origination referrals and will now deposit those funds into the Treasury...

Lending
Posted by Megan Hopkins on 5/21/13 at 4:34pm

It’s not everyday a company can claim a 112% boost in loan originations year-over-year and a 183% jump in revenue over the same time period, making it No. 1 in growth for all private companies based in Illinois. 

But that’s just what Guaranteed Rate told HousingWire in a recent interview.

Jumping dramatically from the 16th largest retail mortgage company in the beginning...

Real Estate
Posted by Jacob Gaffney on 5/17/13 at 12:43pm

The chief US economist for Deutsche Bank, Joseph LaVorgna, tweeted some great news a little while ago.

He push-posted an economic review of the housing industry that shows the recovery is doing even better than originally thought:

"We believe investors still do not fully appreciate the...

Real Estate
Posted by Christina Mlynski on 5/16/13 at 4:41pm

The reverse equity debate inside the Rayburn House Office Building reached a boiling point Thursday as representatives from the Federal Housing Administration listened to lawmakers fire off questions about the importance, or lack thereof, of the reverse mortgage program.

Congressman Randy Neugebaurer, R-Texas, demanded to know why the housing agency is still in the reverse mortgage business.

Charles Coulter, deputy assistant secretary for single-family housing...

Lending
Posted by Kerri Ann Panchuk on 5/16/13 at 3:09pm

A favorable tax structure, jobs and a business-friendly environment are causing Texas housing markets to remain among the most active in the United States.

HousingWire Executive Editor Jacob Gaffney recently discussed the Texas rebound with Gerri Willis, host of The Willis Report on Fox News.

Despite Texas benefitting from jobs, an influx of new residents and active mortgage and real estate sectors, Gaffney discussed a few of the hidden risks built into the market.

"...

Real Estate
Posted by Brena Swanson on 5/15/13 at 3:49pm

Lately, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been the hottest, and maybe not the most positive talk around the water cooler.

But, the agency is striving not to be the bad guy.

In a new campaign, the CFPB is slowly releasing new guides and summaries to help banks and non-banks understand the mortgage rules.

Earlier in the month, the bureau...

Lending
Posted by Christina Mlynski on 5/15/13 at 11:49am

The next generation of homebuyers has different expectations of the real estate process, and who can blame them?

They are facing a different set of realities from their parents.

The average Gen Y currently has, on average, $27,000 in college loans to repay, which they may spend the better part of a decade doing — exactly at the same time when past generations were usually saving up for a down payment, writes Doorsteps, a real estate search site. 

As...

Real Estate
Posted by Jacob Gaffney on 5/15/13 at 10:44am

Normally, just about everything social media guru and consultant Scott Stratten says is worth repeating, but this time doubly so.

The head of the UnMarketing movement, who has plenty to say to/about Realtors, listed the Top 5 reasons to attend HousingWire's Real Estate Expo.

Considering Stratten's...

Real Estate