Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities and home loans to their balance sheets in recent months https://t.co/oFNBQ0Ah58 ...

The UK’s financial regulator is weighing a series of reforms for the country’s mortgage market https://t.co/1apw0QR4w4 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the challenges faced by homebuyers using FHA loans, particularly the stigma associated with these loans that can lead to rejection from sellers [3][10][12] Group 1: FHA Loan Overview - FHA loans were introduced during the Great Depression to promote homeownership, allowing lower down payments and catering to borrowers at all income levels [4][5] - The popularity of FHA loans has increased due to rising home prices and mortgage rates, with the share of FHA-backed mortgages growing from 15% in 2022 to 18% in 2025 [12] Group 2: Seller Bias Against FHA Loans - Sellers often perceive FHA loans as a hassle due to additional requirements, leading to outright rejections of qualified buyers with FHA financing [9][10][15] - Research indicates that bias against FHA borrowers has persisted even in a competitive market, where sellers are more willing to offer discounts [8][19] Group 3: Impact on Buyers - Buyers using FHA loans may face discrimination, with some listings explicitly stating they will not accept FHA financing [14][15] - The stigma surrounding FHA loans can disadvantage buyers, tilting opportunities towards wealthier buyers and investors [24][25] Group 4: Strategies for FHA Buyers - To mitigate the stigma, buyers can address potential property issues upfront and negotiate repairs before closing [36] - Real estate agents can assist by identifying property defects that may concern FHA appraisers, thereby improving the chances of acceptance [35][36]

Correspondent Products, STRATMOR on Borrower Psychology; Lender Tools; DSCR Appraisal Issues in Baltimore “What happened with the DSCR appraisal issue in Baltimore earlier this year?” Good question. Baltimore is not alone: This week we have investors either pricing themselves out of, or ceasing loans from, the Philly market for certain non-owner loans.) The whole Baltimore thing seems to have quieted down, and up until recently the last news coming in October although this week along came, “Baltimore is st ...

Group 1: Mortgage Rates - The average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage increased to 6.22% from 6.19% last week, while a year ago it was 6.6% [1][5] - The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage rose to 5.54% from 5.49% last week [5] - The current average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is below the year-to-date average of 6.62%, indicating some balance in the housing market [4] Group 2: Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a new range of 3.5% to 3.75%, marking the third consecutive cut [6] - The rate cuts in September and October were the first of the year, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the labor market and inflation [6] Group 3: Market Outlook - Mortgage rates are influenced by the 10-year Treasury yield, which was around 4.15% as of Thursday afternoon [8] - There is potential for lower mortgage rates heading into 2026 if upcoming labor data supports the Fed's expectations for weaker labor and controlled inflation [9]

Mortgage rates inched up this week, but remained well below the year-to-date average, the latest Freddie Mac (FMCC) Primary Mortgage Survey showed. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.22% as of December 11, up from 6.19% last week and down from 6.60% in the same period ...

Core Viewpoint - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has increased slightly but remains close to its lowest point of the year [1][2] Group 1: Mortgage Rate Changes - The average long-term mortgage rate rose to 6.22% from 6.19% last week, down from 6.6% a year ago [2] - The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.54% from 5.44% last week, compared to 5.84% a year ago [2] Group 2: Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are affected by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, bond market expectations regarding the economy and inflation, and generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield [3] - The 10-year Treasury yield was reported at 4.12% at midday Thursday, slightly higher than the previous week [3]

Mortgage Rate Trends - The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage increased to 6.22% from 6.19% last week, compared to 6.6% a year ago [1] - The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 5.54% from 5.44% last week, down from 5.84% a year ago [2] Influencing Factors - Mortgage rates are influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy, bond market expectations for the economy and inflation, and generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which is currently at 4.12% [3] - The Federal Reserve recently cut its main interest rate for the third time this year, indicating another potential cut in 2026, but this does not directly dictate mortgage rates [4] Historical Context - Following the Fed's previous rate cuts, mortgage rates increased instead of decreasing, peaking above 7% in January, while the 10-year Treasury yield was approaching 5% [5] - A decline in mortgage rates over the summer led to an increase in sales of previously occupied U.S. homes for four consecutive months in October [6] Market Challenges - Affordability remains a significant challenge for many potential homeowners, particularly first-time buyers lacking equity from existing homes [6] - Economic and job market uncertainties are causing many prospective buyers to hesitate in making purchases [6]

Core Insights - The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is currently at 6.22%, which is lower than the year-to-date average of 6.62%, indicating a potential stabilization in the housing market [1][4] - The 15-year FRM has also increased to 5.54%, up from 5.44% the previous week, while a year ago it was at 5.84% [4] Summary by Category Mortgage Rates - The 30-year FRM averaged 6.22% as of December 11, 2025, an increase from 6.19% the previous week and down from 6.60% a year ago [4] - The 15-year FRM averaged 5.54%, up from 5.44% last week and down from 5.84% a year ago [4] Freddie Mac's Role - Freddie Mac's mission is to enhance liquidity, stability, and affordability in the housing market, helping millions of families since 1970 [3]

Group 1: Workflow Automation and Cost Savings - Clarifire's blog discusses how servicers are modernizing processes through workflow automation, highlighting examples like one-click trial modification letters and automated GSE exception handling, which lead to operational improvements [1] - The average Encompass customer is seeing a financial benefit of $1,056 per loan due to innovative workflows and automation, indicating significant ROI for lenders [4] Group 2: UAD 3.6 Preparation - Class Valuation emphasizes the importance of deep learning for lenders and appraisers in preparing for UAD 3.6, providing resources and a webinar series to facilitate understanding of the new format [2] Group 3: FICO Score 10T Integration - MCT and FICO have expanded their collaboration to integrate FICO Score 10T into MCT's software suite, enhancing credit intelligence for MSR portfolio managers and investors, and improving asset quality analysis [3] Group 4: Market Trends and Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate to a range of 3.50 to 3.75 percent, indicating a neutral policy stance with limited room for further reductions [8] - The Fed raised its 2026 GDP outlook and trimmed inflation forecasts, suggesting confidence in controlling inflation while planning to buy $40 billion in Treasury bills to ease liquidity strains [9] Group 5: Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) Insights - Loan balance pools are favored in MBS structuring for their predictability in prepayment behavior, with larger-balance UMBS 30-year pools currently paying the slowest due to refinancing challenges [10] - New loan-balance spec pools totaling $170.7 billion have entered the market, providing liquidity, while servicers like Rocket and AmeriHome are key determinants of prepayment outcomes [11][12]