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United Wholesale Mortgage is asking a Michigan federal court to throw out a class action suit that accuses it of orchestrating a scheme in coordination with brokers to cheat borrowers “out of billions of dollars in excess fees and costs.”

The suit was filed by four borrowers following an explosive report by Hunterbrook Media in April. The venture capital-backed outlet claimed UWM holds independent brokers captive via its All-In Initiative and overcharges borrowers by preventing brokers from shopping around for clients. UWM has vehemently denied the accusations.

Subsequent litigation alleged UWM violated a number of laws including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).

In its motion to dismiss, the wholesale giant calls all of the allegations “meritless” and an attempt to “smear United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC (“UWM”), its affiliates, and even its CEO — all of which serves to benefit market speculators.”

“This Hunterbrook-affiliated lawsuit is a putative class action that raises a kitchen-sink full of claims against UWM, its holding companies, and its CEO,” the motion states.

It further picks apart all of the claims made against it.

The wholesale giant says the suit has failed to plead its racketeering claims, and does not demonstrate the existence of an enterprise engaging in a pattern of such activity. Further, UWM argues that RESPA claims are subject to a one-year statute of limitations and that the time period for all class representatives has expired, making the claim void.

Lastly, UWM points out that the plaintiffs’ claims that it aided and abetted a breach of a broker’s fiduciary duty fail because “mortgage brokers are not per se fiduciaries.”

The attorney representing the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. 

UWM argues that contrary to the lawsuit’s statements, brokers use its services because they actually want to, not because they are being held captive. It points to its competitive rates and state-of-the-art technology, which makes for a reliable borrowing experience for customers as the reason why brokers opt to use its services.

It also states that while the complaint “tries to cast repeat business as something nefarious, it is an essential part of growing any business and the result of the unique value UWM provides — tireless customer service, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched speed and reliability,” UWM’s motion filed June 21 reads.

Additionally, the lender defended its ultimatum, adding that two federal courts in Florida and Michigan have thus far upheld its initiative, and its lock-in provision, which allows brokers to lock-in UWM’s rates prior to closing.

The original complaint, lodged by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, relies heavily on the assertion that UWM’s ultimatum has contributed to borrowers being deprived of cheaper loan options because brokers cannot freely shop around. UWM says this is not the case, as brokers are free to exit the wholesale agreement anytime following a seven day notice.

Regarding its lock-in provision, the wholesale lender says it’s at-will, something a broker can opt for or forgo. 

Following Hunterbrook’s investigation and the racketeering lawsuit, industry stakeholders expressed concerns over how the allegations may impact broader customer sentiment about the industry. 

Some have predicted the case could lead to more regulatory scrutiny of mortgage brokers, but that in the near-term the accusations alone will shake consumer confidence in home lenders and make borrowers reconsider working with mortgage brokers. 

Others have questioned what Hunterbrook’s motives were in publishing such an investigation and asked whether it was ethical journalism. The parent company of Hunterbrook, prior to publishing the story, took a short position in $UWMC, a long position in $RKT, and purchased derivatives at undisclosed amounts.

Amid the unfolding litigation, UWM remains the dominant wholesale lender in the nation. 

The Detroit-area lender earned $108.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared with losses in the fourth quarter of $461 million and $138.6 million during the first quarter of 2023. Total volume of $27.6 billion included $22.1 billion in purchase loans.

Source: nationalmortgagenews.com

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No Major Data, No Major Movement

By:
Matthew Graham

Mon, Jun 24 2024, 3:36 PM

No Major Data, No Major Movement

It was a snoozer of a day for bonds with yields and MBS prices holding well inside last Friday’s ranges for the entirety.  An “inside day” isn’t much of a surprise when the calendar is completely empty in terms of major economic data.  In fact, it was devoid of all manner of economic data.  That left only a few Fed speeches and as is the recent norm, Fed speakers are all saying the same things (thus, no surprises for bonds). At the 3pm close, both Treasuries and MBS were perfectly unchanged. 

09:59 AM

Modestly weaker overnight but bouncing back to unchanged.  MBS unchanged and 10yr up 0.3bps at 4.256.

11:12 AM

Treasuries slightly weaker with 10yr up 1.1bps at 4.264.  MBS up 1 tick (.03).

03:03 PM

MBS and Treasuries both perfectly unchanged.  10yr at 4.253

 Download our mobile app to get alerts for MBS Commentary and streaming MBS and Treasury prices.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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With last Friday’s range in 10yr yields of roughly 4.22 to 4.27, there was narrow window for today being an “inside day” (i.e. when the previous sessions highs were higher and lows were lower).  And with Friday afternoon’s range being 4.25-4.27, there was an even narrower window to be able to refer to today as “sideways.” Bonds were clearing both windows for the first few hours, but are thinking about expanding the intraday range after 10am (on the happy side).

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

There’s good and bad news for mortgage rates this week. The good news is rates have continued their slow downward trend, averaging 6.87% on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages, Freddie Mac reported.

Although this is promising, lowering interest rates is far from the norm. Last week, 30-year mortgages had average rates of 6.95%. However, compared to a year ago when rates averaged 6.67%, this week and last week’s rates are still relatively high. Still, any improvement is better than nothing.

“Mortgage rates fell for the third straight week following signs of cooling inflation and market expectations of a future Fed rate cut,” Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater explained. “These lower mortgage rates coupled with the gradually improving housing supply bodes well for the housing market. Aspiring homeowners should remember it’s important to shop around for the best mortgage rate as they can vary widely between lenders.”

On top of 30-year rates, 15-year mortgage rates also dipped this week, but still remain above the 6% mark. Interest rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.13%, down slightly from last week when they averaged 6.17%.

If you think you’re ready to shop around for a home loan, consider using Credible to help you easily compare interest rates from multiple lenders in minutes.

MOST HOMEOWNERS WOULD RATHER REMODEL THEIR HOME THAN BUY ANOTHER HOME: STUDY

Average Americans must put down over $100,000 to afford monthly mortgage payment

Down payment requirements are increasing across the country for the average prospective homebuyer. Households making a middle class income must put down $127,750 on an average priced home to realistically afford the monthly payments, according to a Zillow study.

This down payment is equivalent to about 35.4% of a $360,000 dollar home, which is the price of a typical U.S. home. A down payment of this size helps buyers pay no more than 30% of their income on mortgage payments.

Just five years ago, many households could afford monthly mortgage payments without paying any down payment for their new home.

“Down payments have always been important, but even more so today,” Zillow Chief Economist Skylar Olsen said. “With so few available, buyers may have to wait even longer for the right home to hit the market, especially now that buyers can afford less. Mortgage rate movements during that time could make the difference between affording that home and not.”

To save up the necessary down payment, it would take many households making a median income, 12 years to save. This assumes putting 10% of their income aside — an unlikely reality for many facing skyrocketing costs in all areas of their lives.

“Saving enough is a tall task without outside help — a gift from family or perhaps a stock windfall,” Olsen said. “To make the finances work, some folks are making a big move across the country, co-buying or buying a home with an extra room to rent out. Down payment assistance is another great resource that is too often overlooked.”

A site like Credible can let you view multiple mortgage lenders and provide you with personalized rates within just minutes, all without impacting your credit.

MILLENNIALS MOST LIKELY TO UNLOCK LOW MORTGAGE RATE TO MOVE: FREDDIE MAC

Desire to buy a home hits an all-time low for prospective buyers

Interest may be lower to a small degree, but prospective buyers don’t seem to be ready to dive back into the buying market. Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index dropped 2.5 points in May to 69.4, signaling that buyers don’t have positive attitudes about buying at the moment.

This drop puts the index at an all-time low. In May, only 14% of consumers believed it’s a good time to buy a new home, down from 20% in April. Consumers still think affordability will remain difficult for most buyers, at least for the foreseeable future.

“Consumer sentiment toward housing declined from its recent plateau, as an increasing share of consumers struggle to find the positives in the current housing market,” said Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae senior vice president and chief economist. “While many respondents expressed optimism at the beginning of the year that mortgage rates would decline, that simply hasn’t happened, and current sentiment reflects pent-up frustration with the overall lack of purchase affordability. 

“This is most clearly evidenced by our ‘good time to buy’ component falling to a new survey low this month. On the other hand, homeowners’ perception of home-selling conditions declined only slightly and remains largely positive after a steady increase over the last few months,” Duncan said.

To see if you qualify for a mortgage based on your current credit score and salary, consider visiting Credible, where you can compare multiple mortgage lenders at once.

FREDDIE MAC PROPOSES PRODUCT TO HELP HOMEOWNERS TAP HOME EQUITY WITHOUT LOSING RECORD LOW MORTGAGE RATES

Have a finance-related question, but don’t know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at [email protected] and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

Source: foxbusiness.com

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Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate mortgages to write unbiased product reviews.

Current 30-year mortgage rates are hovering at 6.55%, according to data from Zillow. Rates trended down slightly in June, though they’ve been holding steady over the last week.

According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales are down 2.8% year over year. The number of houses on the market has actually increased 18.5% over the last year, but the median existing-home price in May hit a record high of $419,300.

“Eventually, more inventory will help boost home sales and tame home price gains in the upcoming months,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.”

Your best bet for getting the lowest mortgage rate is comparing offers from multiple mortgage lenders, especially if you’re looking to buy before rates and home prices come down.

Mortgage Rates Today

Mortgage type Average rate today
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Mortgage Refinance Rates Today

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Mortgage Calculator

Use our free mortgage calculator to see how today’s mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments.

Mortgage Calculator

$1,161
Your estimated monthly payment

Total paid$418,177
Principal paid$275,520
Interest paid$42,657
  • Paying a 25% higher down payment would save you $8,916.08 on interest charges
  • Lowering the interest rate by 1% would save you $51,562.03
  • Paying an additional $500 each month would reduce the loan length by 146 months

By plugging in different term lengths and interest rates, you’ll see how your monthly payment could change.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.95% last week, according to Freddie Mac. This is four basis points lower than it was the week before.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan. With this type of mortgage, you’ll pay back what you borrowed over 30 years, and your interest rate won’t change for the life of the loan.

The lengthy 30-year term allows you to spread out your payments over a long period of time, meaning you can keep your monthly payments lower and more manageable. The trade-off is that you’ll have a higher rate than you would with shorter terms or adjustable rates. 

15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

Average 15-year mortgage rates were 6.17% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a 12-basis-point decrease from the previous week.

If you want the predictability that comes with a fixed rate but are looking to spend less on interest over the life of your loan, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might be a good fit for you. Because these terms are shorter and have lower rates than 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. However, you’ll have a higher monthly payment than you would with a longer term.

Are Mortgage Rates Going Down?

Mortgage rates increased throughout most of 2023. But mortgage rates are expected to trend down in the coming months and years.

In the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.3%. As inflation comes down and the Federal Reserve is able to start cutting the federal funds rate, mortgage rates should fall further as well.

For homeowners looking to leverage their home’s value to cover a big purchase — such as a home renovation — a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be a good option while we wait for mortgage rates to ease. Check out some of our best HELOC lenders to start your search for the right loan for you.

A HELOC is a line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home. It works similarly to a credit card in that you borrow what you need rather than getting the full amount you’re borrowing in a lump sum. It also lets you tap into the money you have in your home without replacing your entire mortgage, like you’d do with a cash-out refinance.

Current HELOC rates are relatively low compared to other loan options, including credit cards and personal loans. 

How Do Fed Rate Hikes Affect Mortgages?

The Fed aggressively raised the federal funds rate in 2022 and 2023 to slow economic growth and get inflation under control. As a result, mortgage rates spiked.

Mortgage rates aren’t directly impacted by changes to the federal funds rate, but they often trend up or down ahead of Fed policy moves. This is because mortgage rates change based on investor demand for mortgage-backed securities, and this demand is often impacted by how investors expect Fed hikes to affect the broader economy. 

Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which may happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Molly Grace

Mortgage Reporter

in 2016.Sarah began her journalism career writing about technology for Engadget and Laptop Magazine, jobs which led to international travel for trade shows and conferences and sparked her interest in credit card benefits.Sarah started educating herself on personal finance best practices during her early years struggling to find balance amid New York City’s high cost of living. The money management skills Sarah learned during her years as a self-employed freelance editor also honed her financial acumen, giving her a passion for helping others navigate the financial challenges of small business ownership, taxes, and budgeting. In her personal life, Sarah loves helping her friends level up their credit card strategies to book fancy hotel rooms and flights. She also loves talking about her dog to anyone who will listen.ExpertiseSarah’s areas of personal finance expertise include:

  • Credit scores
  • Credit cards
  • Loans
  • Investing
  • Banking
  • Insurance

EducationSarah is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she wrote and edited for the college paper. “>

Sarah Silbert

Deputy Editor

Sarah Silbert is a personal finance expert and award-winning journalist. As deputy editor for Personal Finance Insider, she oversees all of the guides and reviews published across banking, credit, credit cards, mortgages, loans, investing, and insurance. ExperienceSarah joined Business Insider as an editor covering credit cards in 2019, and has built multiple Personal Finance Insider verticals from the ground up. Prior to joining Business Insider, Sarah was a senior editor at The Points Guy for more than four years, covering credit cards and award travel. Alongside her team at TPG, Sarah led the launch of coverage for the popular Chase Sapphire Reserve travel rewards credit card in 2016.Sarah began her journalism career writing about technology for Engadget and Laptop Magazine, jobs which led to international travel for trade shows and conferences and sparked her interest in credit card benefits.Sarah started educating herself on personal finance best practices during her early years struggling to find balance amid New York City’s high cost of living. The money management skills Sarah learned during her years as a self-employed freelance editor also honed her financial acumen, giving her a passion for helping others navigate the financial challenges of small business ownership, taxes, and budgeting. In her personal life, Sarah loves helping her friends level up their credit card strategies to book fancy hotel rooms and flights. She also loves talking about her dog to anyone who will listen.ExpertiseSarah’s areas of personal finance expertise include:

  • Credit scores
  • Credit cards
  • Loans
  • Investing
  • Banking
  • Insurance

EducationSarah is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she wrote and edited for the college paper. 


Source: businessinsider.com

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Enjoy complimentary access to top ideas and insights — selected by our editors.

Trinity Public Utilities District’s power lines snake through the lower reaches of the Cascade Range, a rugged, remote and densely forested terrain in Northern California that has some of the highest wildfire risk in the country. But for several years, the company has been without insurance to protect it from such a threat.

Trinity’s equipment was blamed for causing a 2017 wildfire that destroyed 72 homes and three years later its insurer, a California public agency called the Special District Risk Management Authority, told the utility that it would no longer cover it for fires started by its electrical lines. Trinity could find no other takers. 

The utility’s exposure comes as wildfires are already flaring up across the U.S. West in what could be a dangerous and prolonged fire season. 

READ MORE: Homeownership’s hidden costs rise 26% in four years

“If a fire were to start now that involved one of our power lines, it would likely bankrupt the utility,” said Paul Hauser, general manager of the local government-owned utility that serves about 13,000 rural customers in Trinity County, 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of Sacramento. That’s because without insurance, a lawsuit could put the utility on the hook to pay for damages to private homes and businesses, which could easily top the utility’s annual revenue of about $16 million.  

Western utilities and beyond are finding it prohibitively expensive, if not impossible, to insure against potential fire-related claims. The trouble comes after power companies from Hawaii to Texas have collectively faced tens of billions of dollars in damages from wind-driven wildfires linked to their equipment. The issue will become more pressing as climate change makes droughts more intense and frequent, heightening the chances of more destructive infernos.

“Wildfire risk is the number one issue for utilities,” said Michael Kolodner, the practice leader for the U.S. power and renewables industry at Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., a US insurance broker. “This is impacting every single utility in North America.” 

READ MORE: Treat home insurance costs like a 1-year ARM, climate risk experts say

The insurance companies set up by the utilities are now limiting how much coverage they will provide to power companies exposed to wildfire risk, leaving them at the whim of the commercial marketplace where premiums are rising.

Overall, commercial wildfire insurance rates have gone up as much as 30% this year with premiums also increasing the past several years, according to Marsh. Portland General Electric, based in Oregon, said their fire insurance premiums doubled.

The insurance challenges are now making it more expensive and difficult for some utilities to attract the capital required to harden their grids against climate risks and build out the infrastructure needed to meet President Joe Biden’s goal of a carbon-free grid by 2035.

“If utilities can’t get insurance or if the insurance is really expensive, it’s harder for them to construct new facilities they need to build like transmission lines and distribution lines,” said Michael Wara, an expert on utility wildfire risks who serves as director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. The problem is akin to potential homeowner being unable to secure a mortgage to buy a house because they can’t get property insurance, Wara said.

Randy Howard, general manager of the Northern California Power Agency, which has 16 public power utility members including Trinity, says the lack of commercial insurance is making it hard for some his utilities to attract financing to build high-voltage transmission lines that the state wants to connect to renewable energy projects.

“It’s impacting investors’ willingness to invest in these projects that we need to build,” Howard said.

READ MORE: Home insurance woes threaten mortgage lending, experts warn

The utility industry is openly discussing the need to set up a federal program that could provide a type of insurance backstop for smaller power companies that have limited financial resources. Such a fund would cover claims for utilities that have agreed to meet certain fire risk reduction standards. The fund could be modeled after one set by California after PG&E Corp. filed for bankruptcy in 2019 in the wake of starting some of the worst wildfires in state history. 

As it stands now, utilities have become the “insurer of last resort” when it comes to damage claims from wildfires tied to their equipment, said Emily Fisher, general counsel at the Edison Electric Institute, an investor-owned utility trade group. The industry has become difficult to insure because there isn’t a limit to their potential wildfire liabilities, Fisher added. 

Power companies also need to spend billions of dollars to make their infrastructure less prone to start fires, funding fixes such as installing weather monitoring equipment, burying power lines and replacing old poles. “It’s not a sustainable regime,” Fisher said.

 Warren Buffett agrees. In the billionaire investor’s recent annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Buffett said he’s reconsidering his utility investments due to the heightened wildfire risk in the West. Berkshire’s PacifiCorp utility, which operates in six Western states, was found liable in 2023 for destruction caused by the 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon. PacifiCorp is appealing the decision. The utility faces wildfire claims estimated to be as much as $8 billion, according to a regulatory filing. 

“We are basically in the position of being the insurer of last resort because we cannot get enough commercial insurance,” PacifiCorp Chief Executive Officer Cindy Crane said at a S&P power markets conference in April. “We had a pretty good volume of wildfire insurance and we blew through that.”

PacifiCorp has obtained wildfire insurance, but its premiums have increased more than 400% from 2019 through 2022, a spokeswoman said. 

Utilities also have been turning to state governments for help. PacifiCorp backed legislation passed earlier this year in Utah that sets up a catastrophic fire insurance fund for utilities and caps non-economic damage claims arising from utility-linked fires.

In 2019, California set up a $21 billion wildfire insurance fund to prevent additional investor-owned utility bankruptcies after PG&E was driven into Chapter 11 for sparking fires in 2017 and 2018 that killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

California investor-owned utilities, which contributed to half of the fund, can qualify for the coverage if they meet certain fire safety standards. The fund covers claims above $1 billion, with the utilities having to find insurance up to that amount.

Even that has proven to be difficult. PG&E decided to self-insure against wildfire risk in 2023 after the utility saw its cost for commercial wildfire insurance as a percentage of coverage jump from 4.6% in 2015 to nearly 80% in 2022, when the utility paid about $746 million for $940 million in coverage, according to regulatory filings.

PG&E estimates its self-insurance program, which works by putting aside money collected from bills for possible claims, will save customers up to $1.8 billion over the next four years compared to commercial insurance coverage. Southern California Edison has also opted to self-insure after seeing its commercial coverage rates skyrocket.

However, publicly owned, government-run utilities like Trinity aren’t part of California’s wildfire insurance fund, leaving them entirely exposed. The state’s legal regime holds utilities responsible for damage claims from fires started by their equipment — whether they were negligent or not. (While the liability standard is looser in other states, it hasn’t gotten utilities off the hook in places like Oregon).

Trinity Public Utilities District is stuck in a problematic cycle where it can’t do the work required to make its own property safer from fire. The utility wants to widen the clearing around its existing lines on federal land from 20 feet to up to 130 feet to reduce fire risk, but it cannot start that work without a new federal permit. And it cannot get a new permit unless it has wildfire insurance.

“We are kind of the poster child for this issue,” Hauser, the general manager, said. “No one will insure us.”       

Source: nationalmortgagenews.com

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Loan Trading, Bank Lending, Bank Statement, HELOC, ROV Products; Disaster and Catastrophe News

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Loan Trading, Bank Lending, Bank Statement, HELOC, ROV Products; Disaster and Catastrophe News

By:
Rob Chrisman

1 Hour, 41 Min ago

“I saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by… switching to reverse and leaving the scene.” The word on the street is that Guaranteed Rate is changing its name to “Rate,” but of greater concern to lenders is insurance. Homeowner’s insurance costs are no joke, nor are insurance companies stopping business entirely in states and counties. If you have a current homeowner whose bill just went up by $500 per month, know that this is $500 a month that won’t be spent in the general economy buying meals, going to movies, going on vacation… Not only that, but LOs and AEs and capital markets staffs do their darndest to get the best rates for their clients, and saving $50 or $100 a month are a victory, only to have the deal blown out of the water by monthly insurance costs. Insurance, of course, is a state-level issue; certainly, the CFPB does not oversee it. Some state groups are doing something about it. For example, the California MBA would like to point to real-life examples of the consequences across California: Here is a link to a fillable form to enter any helpful information or examples.) Today’s podcast is found here and this week’s is sponsored by Candor. Candor’s authentic Expert System AI has powered more than 2 million flawless, hands off underwrites. Every credit risk decision Candor makes is backed by a warranty, eliminating repurchase worries. Hear an interview with Move Concierge’s Sajag Patel and Gabe Abshire on the home services set up industry.

Software, Products, and Services for Lenders and Brokers

On May 1, 2024, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with the FHFA, announced new requirements for reconsiderations of value (ROVs), which go into effect Aug. 29, 2024. The requirements help create uniform industry expectations for how lenders should manage ROVs. Now is the time to prepare and implement solutions to help streamline your ROV processes. With ValidateROV™ from ICE, you can provide your borrowers with a quick and transparent solution that helps guide them through the ROV process via a white-labeled mobile app. Learn more today.

“Looking for scalable Growth? We know the industry is slowly recovering from the challenges of 2023, but it’s not quite smooth sailing yet. Every dollar spent on marketing counts, especially when it can make the difference between being in the red or turning a profit. And let’s not forget, there’s another green field opportunity on the horizon. We have a strategy that’s booking 15 to 35 percent cheaper than usual plays. That’s significant, even more in today’s market. Want in on the action? Whether you’re ready to reach out or prefer us to contact you, we’re here to help.”

HELOC Borrowers can now PAYOFF DEBT TO QUALIFY and still close in as little as 1 day! NFTY and Homebridge Financial have deployed the “Debt Eliminator” enhancement to their EQUITY ACCESS Digital HELOC. Debt Eliminator allows borrowers to select which debts they to pay off as part of the user-friendly automated application process. With loan amounts up to $400k, Equity Access is designed for fast easy closings. Highlights include: instant income verification for most W-2 borrowers, automated analysis of bank statements to determine Income for both W-2 and Self-employed borrowers, AVMs up to $400k, and a banker or broker portal with robust functionality and real-time loan status. Minimum FICO 640 and CLTV up to 80 percent. The hybrid platform is digitally fast with a full staff of customer service professionals to solve real-life complexities and close more loans. Ultra-fast fee payout utilizing ACH. Correspondent white label and broker solutions are available with full branding capabilities to showcase your company/MLO. For more information, contact your Account Executive at REMN or Homebridge Wholesale, or email Joe Sheridan.

“LoanStream wants you to Make a Splash this Summer by closing more Non-QM Bank Statement loans. Join the upcoming webinar on Bank Statement & P&L! Plus, we’ll dive into the intricacies of calculating income to qualify borrowers! Register now. Don’t Miss Summer Specials! Includes Specials on Prime, Non-QM and Closed End Seconds now through 6/30/24. Includes 25 BPS Price Improvement on FHA/VA loans 620+ FICO (excludes DPA and CalHFA) and a 25 BPS Price Improvement on all Non-QM loans (excluding our ‘Select’ credit grade). Get another 25 BPS Price Improvement on Closed-End Seconds. Restrictions apply – contact your LoanStream AE to learn more. Specials valid for loans locked 6/1/2024 through 6/30/2024. Offers subject to change at any time, terms and conditions apply. Non-QM Specials also available through our Correspondent lending channel, Home – LoanStream Mortgage Correspondent (lscorrespondent.com) now through 6/30/24, contact your Regional Sales Executive for more information.”

“Webinar: Thriving in a new market: How banks are shifting their mortgage strategy to succeed. Join us for an exclusive webinar presented by Maxwell on Wednesday, June 26 at 12:00 p.m. CT. In this session, you’ll discover powerful tactics to leverage your mortgage platform that retain and increase consumer deposits, enhance transaction speed by aligning delivery channels with your customer segments, and bring cutting-edge technology to your customers and loan officers without lengthy, costly projects. Plus, you’ll learn how our variable cost model can help you generate profit on every loan you originate. Click here to save your seat today, and if you can’t make the live event, you can still register for the on-demand recording!”

Disaster Updates Continue

FEMA’s Disaster Declarations set the stage for servicers, lenders, and investors to change policies and procedures for loans in process or for existing borrowers in those areas. In the last week or two we’ve had Iowa (DR-4784-IA), Florida (DR-4794-FL), and New Mexico (DR-4795-NM).

Waters in the tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean, around the Caribbean, are hotter than they have been for any other late May on record. The area is averaging around 84.7 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature the waters usually don’t hit until August and September after a summer of warming up. This is bad for a lot of reasons, including the future of coral reefs, which are already experiencing a fourth global bleaching event this year, according to NOAA. The previous record-breaking May for sea temperatures in the area was in 2005, a notorious year that brought one of the most destructive and active hurricane seasons ever for the U.S.

The USDA recently released a new plant hardiness zone map as much of the country has, on average, gotten warmer. The new 30-year minimum temperature average was 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the previous average. The map classifies the U.S. into zones based on an area’s average annual minimum temperature and is most useful for knowing which perennial outdoor plants will possibly not die in your area if you keep them outside. You can and will still kill your plants even if you plant according to the map, since it does not factor in how wet, dry, or volatile your area’s climate is. It also won’t tell you if your plants can actually survive the extreme heat of summer.

On 6/14/2024, with Amendment No. 1 to DR-4784, FEMA revised the Incident Period End Date to May 31, 2024, for Iowa counties affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from 5/20/2024 to 5/31/2024. See AmeriHome Mortgage disaster announcement 20240614-CL for inspection requirements.

On 6/17/2024, with DR-4794, FEMA declared federal disaster aid with individual assistance to Florida county, Leon. See AmeriHome Mortgage disaster announcement 20240616-CL for inspection requirements.

With DR-4795, FEMA declared federal disaster aid with individual assistance to New Mexico’s Lincoln County affected by the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire from 6/17/2024 and continuing. See AmeriHome Mortgage disaster announcement 20240618-CL for inspection requirements.

Capital Markets

“In 2016, MAXEX changed the face of the secondary market with the establishment of the industry’s first digital mortgage exchange and clearinghouse. More than $36 billion in loan trades later through our unique marketplace, we’re giving our 350+ sellers even more unprecedented liquidity across the non-agency and conforming markets. Coming mid-July, MAXEX sellers will be given exclusive access, only through MAXEX, to a major buyer of Conforming investment and non-owner-occupied loans. MAXEX allows sellers to avoid punitive LLPAs on NOO, second-home and high-balance loans via best efforts or mandatory flow, bulk and forward trading. With MAXEX, sellers sign a single standardized contract, face a single counterparty and have turnkey access to over 30 of the market’s leading buyers. Contact us today to learn how you can gain access.”

Last week’s economic releases didn’t pack the same market moving punch as data released earlier in June but did point to a gradual softening in certain areas. Retail sales moderated in May to 0.1 percent, lower than market expectations of a 0.2 percent increase. Additionally, the prior month’s data was revised lower. A frugal U.S. consumer is a helpful development for the Federal Reserve. Consumers kept spending through the pandemic but are now pinching pennies. Industrial production rose more than market expectations and was driven by a surge in manufacturing output; however, the interest rate environment and credit conditions remain restrictive. Housing continues to struggle as housing starts fell to their lowest annualized pace in four years in May. Both housing starts and building permits were expected to be higher in May, continuing their recovery after a big dip in the spring months. Builder confidence fell to its lowest reading since mortgage rates peaked in December.

Speaking of the tight housing market, we all know that high mortgage rates are keeping people from giving up mortgages they secured before or during the early days of the pandemic. Existing-home sales slipped 0.7 percent in May, as expected, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.11 million. Sales descended 2.8 percent from one year ago. However, the median existing-home sales price jumped 5.8 percent from May 2023 to $419,300, the highest price ever recorded and the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

The inventory of unsold existing homes grew 6.7 percent from the previous month to 1.28 million at the end of May, or the equivalent of 3.7 months’ supply at the current monthly sales pace versus 3.5 months’ supply in April and 3.1 months from a year ago. The market is not likely to see any meaningful relief in both supply and affordability until mortgage rates subside.

Inflation will take the spotlight in this final week of June, with market participants looking ahead to Friday’s U.S. personal income and outlays data for May. That report contains a reading on the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, which is widely seen as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Economists expect core PCE to rise 0.1 percent month-over-month and 2.6 percent year-over-year, marking a deceleration on both counts from April. The bulk of the week’s economic releases are tomorrow (Philly Fed services for June, House Price Indices for April, consumer confidence for June, Richmond Fed manufacturing & services for June, and Dallas Fed services for June), though other highlights this week include new home sales for May, advance economic indicators for May, durable goods for May, final Q1 GDP, Chicago PMI for June, final June consumer sentiment, and the aforementioned core PCE price deflator for May. There is also the $183 billion mini-Refunding consisting of $69 billion 2-year notes on Tuesday, $70 billion 3-year notes on Wednesday, and $44 billion 7-year notes on Thursday.

This week has a quiet start today, with the sole economic release due out later this morning being Dallas Fed manufacturing for June. Markets will also receive Fed remarks from San Francisco President Daly and Governor Waller. We begin the week with Agency MBS prices unchanged from Friday’s close, the 10-year yielding 4.26 after closing Friday at 4.26 percent, and the 2-year at 4.74.

Employment

loanDepot continues to demonstrate its commitment to growth with another key retail leadership hire in Justin Andrews, a 25-year veteran of home finance who most recently served as National Director of Branch Partnerships at another top IMB. Andrews is an Area Sales Manager who will focus on driving continued market share growth in and around Seattle. He was inspired by the company’s continued investments in its platform, saying “loanDepot has best-in-class systems that make life easier, faster and smoother for both the originator and the customer. That level of efficiency means I have more time to support our team and develop our people.” This is the third win for loanDepot in recent months, coming on the heels of two other significant additions: Jeff Wilkish as RVP for New England and David Rossiello as Area Sales Manager in the mid-Atlantic. Sales leaders who are interested in learning more can reach out to Shane Stanton.

Congratulations to Radian’s Shelly Schwieso-Kramarczuk who, after 35 years in the biz, announced her retirement slated for the end of the month. “Wow, the changes we have seen. Costs just continue to rise to produce a loan, even with all the tech, AI, BOTs etc. I can’t wait to watch the future of mortgage banking. There is so much more to come! It’s been the people along the way that have made the difference. We have so many passionate professionals in our industry who truly care about the borrower, their journey, and moving the puck forward with technology and improving the customer experience. I have been fortunate to have spent my last 6+ years at Radian: Steady through the storm of late!”

(Remember: job seekers can post their resumes for free on www.lendernews.com where employers can view them for several months for a nominal charge.)

 Download our mobile app to get alerts for Rob Chrisman’s Commentary.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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Today’s average refinance rates


Today’s average mortgage rates on Jun. 24, 2024, compared with one week ago. We use rate data collected by Bankrate as reported by lenders across the US.

Lower mortgage rates make buying a home more affordable. Experts recommend shopping around with different mortgage lenders to find the best deal. Enter your information below to get a custom quote from one of CNET’s partner lenders.

About these rates: Like CNET, Bankrate is owned by Red Ventures. This tool features partner rates from lenders that you can use when comparing multiple mortgage rates.

Refinance rate news

When mortgage rates hit historic lows during the pandemic, there was a refinancing boom, as homeowners were able to nab lower interest rates. But with current average mortgage rates around 7%, getting a new home loan isn’t as financially viable.

Early in the year, hopes were high for a summer rate cut from the Fed. But over the past few months, inflation has remained high and the labor market strong, making it clear to investors that the Fed will take longer than expected to lower rates.

Higher mortgage rates make refinancing less attractive to homeowners, making them more likely to hold onto their existing mortgages.

What to expect from refinance rates this year

“The odds are good that rates will end 2024 lower than they are now,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage site, HSH.com. But predicting exactly where mortgage rates will end up is difficult because it hinges on economic data we don’t yet have.

If inflation continues to improve and the Fed is able to cut rates, mortgage refinance rates could end the year between 6% and 6.5%.

But data showing higher inflation could cause investors to reconsider the likelihood of Fed rate cuts and send mortgage rates higher, according to Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow Home Loans.

If you’re considering a refinance, remember that you can’t time the economy: Interest rates fluctuate on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, and are influenced by an array of factors. Your best move is to keep an eye on day-to-day rate changes and have a game plan on how to capitalize on a big enough percentage drop, said Matt Graham of Mortgage News Daily.

What to know about refinancing

When you refinance your mortgage, you take out another home loan that pays off your initial mortgage. With a traditional refinance, your new home loan will have a different term and/or interest rate. With a cash-out refinance, you’ll tap into your equity with a new loan that’s bigger than your existing mortgage balance, allowing you to pocket the difference in cash.

Refinancing can be a great financial move if you score a low rate or can pay off your home loan in less time, but consider whether it’s the right choice for you. Reducing your interest rate by 1% or more is an incentive to refinance, allowing you to cut your monthly payment significantly.

How to find the best refinance rates

The rates advertised online often require specific conditions for eligibility. Your personal interest rate will be influenced by market conditions as well as your specific credit history, financial profile and application. Having a high credit score, a low credit utilization ratio and a history of consistent and on-time payments will generally help you get the best interest rates.

30-year fixed-rate refinance

The average rate for a 30-year fixed refinance loan is currently 6.94%, a decrease of 7 basis points from what we saw one week ago. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) A 30-year fixed refinance will typically have lower monthly payments than a 15-year or 10-year refinance, but it will take you longer to pay off and typically cost you more in interest over the long term.

15-year fixed-rate refinance

The average 15-year fixed refinance rate right now is 6.43%, a decrease of 7 basis points compared to one week ago. Though a 15-year fixed refinance will most likely raise your monthly payment compared to a 30-year loan, you’ll save more money over time because you’re paying off your loan quicker. Also, 15-year refinance rates are typically lower than 30-year refinance rates, which will help you save more in the long run.

10-year fixed-rate refinance

The average rate for a 10-year fixed refinance loan is currently 6.28%, a decrease of 14 basis points from what we saw the previous week. A 10-year refinance typically has the lowest interest rate but the highest monthly payment of all refinance terms. A 10-year refinance can help you pay off your house much quicker and save on interest, but make sure you can afford the steeper monthly payment.

To get the best refinance rates, make your application as strong as possible by getting your finances in order, using credit responsibly and monitoring your credit regularly. And don’t forget to speak with multiple lenders and shop around.

Reasons you might refinance your home

Homeowners usually refinance to save money, but there are other reasons to do so. Here are the most common reasons homeowners refinance:

  • To get a lower interest rate: If you can secure a rate that’s at least 1% lower than the one on your current mortgage, it could make sense to refinance.
  • To switch the type of mortgage: If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and want greater security, you could refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage.
  • To eliminate mortgage insurance: If you have an FHA loan that requires mortgage insurance, you can refinance to a conventional loan once you have 20% equity.
  • To change the length of a loan term: Refinancing to a longer loan term could lower your monthly payment. Refinancing to a shorter term will save you interest in the long run.
  • To tap into your equity through a cash-out refinance: If you replace your mortgage with a larger loan, you can receive the difference in cash to cover a large expense.
  • To take someone off the mortgage: In case of divorce, you can apply for a new home loan in just your name and use the funds to pay off your existing mortgage.

Source: cnet.com

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On Tuesday, bonds had an initial, positive reaction to the Retail Sales data that clearly ended mere minutes after the release.  Yields trended slightly higher in a narrow range into 11am at which point new rally momentum emerged, lasting through the close.  It was hard to explain that rally without relying on positional trading considerations. 

Specifically, we suspected traders were closing short positions as liquidity waned ahead of Wednesday’s holiday closure.  When this happens (usually leading into weekends and especially 3.5-day holiday weekends), it’s common to see a push back in the opposite direction on the other side of the holiday.  This morning’s paradoxical weakness fits the bill perfectly, albeit with a bit of extra momentum.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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