Mortgage rates surged this week, marking their highest point in nearly two months and adding fresh pressure on an already fragile spring homebuying season. The spike, driven largely by rising bond yields and escalating market uncertainty, is threatening to sideline more prospective buyers just as the housing market was showing signs of modest recovery.
As the U.S. housing market slows under the weight of high interest rates and shrinking affordability, major banks are lobbying regulators for a revamp of mortgage rules they say are outdated and overly restrictive. Industry leaders argue that simplifying the current framework could ease lending bottlenecks and bring more borrowers back into the market—especially first-time buyers and lower-income households. The push comes as home sales continue to slump and mortgage originations sit well below historical norms.
A sharp uptick in mortgage delinquencies among first-time homebuyers is raising red flags for the housing industry, particularly for borrowers using government-backed loans. These trends suggest that some of the most financially vulnerable homeowners are increasingly struggling to stay current on their payments, amplifying concerns about affordability, inflation, and broader market risk.
The Trump administration’s revived plan to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is stoking fresh debate in Washington and on Wall Street, with experts warning that such a move could push mortgage rates higher and pose new challenges for homebuyers across the country. At the heart of the discussion lies a pivotal question: Can the U.S. housing market handle a shift away from government-backed mortgage guarantees?
The U.S. homebuilding sector found a modest silver lining in former President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariff announcements. While much of the construction industry braces for higher costs, one crucial material—Canadian lumber—was notably spared from additional duties. That exemption, however, isn’t enough to ease broader concerns across the housing market, where rising costs and slowing demand are already testing builders' limits.
Mortgage rates surged this week, marking their highest point in nearly two months and adding fresh pressure on an already fragile spring homebuying season. The spike, driven largely by rising bond yields and escalating market uncertainty, is threatening to sideline more prospective buyers just as the housing market was showing signs of modest recovery.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
As the U.S. housing market slows under the weight of high interest rates and shrinking affordability, major banks are lobbying regulators for a revamp of mortgage rules they say are outdated and overly restrictive. Industry leaders argue that simplifying the current framework could ease lending bottlenecks and bring more borrowers back into the market—especially first-time buyers and lower-income households. The push comes as home sales continue to slump and mortgage originations sit well below historical norms.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
A sharp uptick in mortgage delinquencies among first-time homebuyers is raising red flags for the housing industry, particularly for borrowers using government-backed loans. These trends suggest that some of the most financially vulnerable homeowners are increasingly struggling to stay current on their payments, amplifying concerns about affordability, inflation, and broader market risk.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The Trump administration’s revived plan to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is stoking fresh debate in Washington and on Wall Street, with experts warning that such a move could push mortgage rates higher and pose new challenges for homebuyers across the country. At the heart of the discussion lies a pivotal question: Can the U.S. housing market handle a shift away from government-backed mortgage guarantees?
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The U.S. homebuilding sector found a modest silver lining in former President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariff announcements. While much of the construction industry braces for higher costs, one crucial material—Canadian lumber—was notably spared from additional duties. That exemption, however, isn’t enough to ease broader concerns across the housing market, where rising costs and slowing demand are already testing builders' limits.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The U.S. homebuilding sector is feeling the heat as fresh tariff threats from former President Donald Trump’s policy platform stir up anxiety over rising construction costs, casting a shadow over what was shaping up to be a fragile housing market recovery. Shares of major homebuilders—like D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup, Toll Brothers, KB Home, Taylor Morrison, and Meritage Homes—have slid noticeably in recent days as investors weigh the potential financial fallout from escalating trade measures.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has rescinded a number of appraisal policies instituted during the Biden Administration. In a Mortgagee Letter released last week, FHA rescinded three previous Mortgagee Letters released during the previous administration, effectively restoring the policies in place prior to these three letters.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Mortgage professionals can now access FICO’s Score Mortgage Simulator on the Xactus360 Verification Platform, the companies announced earlier this month. FICO announced the tool in October. It’s designed to simulate potential impacts to a consumer’s FICO score with hypothetical changes in credit report data. Examples include a potential borrower reducing their credit card balance or getting rid of a collection account.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported strong financial results for 2024, in what could be the last annual report for the enterprises under government conservatorship. Fannie Mae booked net income of just under $17 billion for the full year, about 2 percent below what it reported in 2023. In its statement, Fannie said last year’s performance was driven by guaranty fee income on its $4 trillion guaranty book of business, “consistent with the transformation of our business model that began well over a decade ago.”
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Within days of the introduction of legislation to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency’s director was let go by President Donald Trump. Neither action was surprising to those paying attention to the new administration or the Republican-controlled Congress. The agency has been a point of contention in Congress since it was formed as part of Dodd-Frank in 2010.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Bonnie Wildt
I have said it before and I will say it again and that is, do not believe everything you hear or read for that matter. In this particular instance I am referring to AUS Findings. I have had countless conversations with processors and loan officer who want to know why I am asking for documentation that the AUS findings have clearly stated wasn’t needed or worse, they can’t believe I am turning a loan down that has an Approve/Eligible. So here it is again and pay particular attention to the details because just because you have an Approve/Eligible or Accept doesn’t necessarily mean you have a done deal.