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Fed Chair Powell Affirms Rate Cuts Are Coming This Year as U.S. Moves Closer to 2% Inflation Goal

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday signaled that rate cuts are coming this year, sticking to the Fed’s cautious script about slashing rates too quickly before it has a sustained handle on inflation. “In our pursuit of our dual mandate, the Federal Reserve remains steadfast in promoting maximum employment and stable prices for the… […]

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Finally, a Pause in Mortgage Rate Hikes

After several sharp spikes and nearly doubling over the last year, mortgage rates took a breather this week, decreasing from 5.81% the previous week to 5.7% this week, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) from Freddie Mac, released Thursday. Key findings: 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.70% with an average 0.9 point as […]

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Helping Clients Navigate Higher Rate Environments

Rising inflation and the Fed reeling back support have led to quickly rising rates. Here’s how you can help clients navigate this new environment. What’s happening in the market? There are three main factors affecting the current market: higher mortgage rates, low inventory and higher prices. Let’s explore these challenges. Higher mortgage rates  According to […]

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Guaranteed Rate Names Sanjay Gupta as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer

Guaranteed Rate has announced it has named veteran marketing executive Sanjay Gupta as its new chief marketing officer and chief digital officer. Gupta brings more than two decades of experience leading marketing efforts for some of the most recognized names in financial services, including Bank of America, Allstate and Ally Financial. He most recently served […]

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Delinquencies Still Double Pre-Pandemic Rate

Freddie Mac reported this week that its total mortgage portfolio increased at an annualized rate of 15.7 percent in October compared to a 17.4 percent gain in September. The portfolio balance at the end of the period was $ 3.179 trillion compared to $ 3.137 trillion the prior month and $ 2.669 trillion a year […]

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Fannie Mae: Mortgage Serious Delinquency Rate Decreased in September

Fannie Mae reported that the Single-Family Serious Delinquency decreased to 1.62% in September, from 1.79% in August. The serious delinquency rate is down from 3.20% in September 2020. These are mortgage loans that are “three monthly payments or more past due or in foreclosure”. The Fannie Mae serious delinquency rate peaked in February 2010 at […]

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A Nearly Unbelievable Data Point: The Birth Rate

The baby bust has likely been fueled by both economic and health concerns of women during the pandemic. www.nar.realtor – Research

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Huge Forbearance Decline; Rate Reckoning; Lenders’ Profit Outlook

With interest rates expected to rise and most homeowners who could benefit from refinancing having done so, mortgage bankers are not expecting the sometimes record profits of the last year or so to continue. Fannie Mae’s third quarter Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey (MLSS) found just short of a majority of respondents expecting their profit margins […]

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Underwater Homes Drying Up; Forbearances Decline; 3-Week Mortgage Rate Highs

Thanks to rising home prices. hardly any homeowners find themselves underwater on their mortgages and the few that do are concentrated in a few cities and towns. In fact, ATTOM says that more than one-third of mortgaged homes in the country are considered “equity rich” with a combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio below 50 percent. The […]

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Bonds Move to Sidelines Ahead of Jobs Report; Rate Volatility Risks; Census Bureau on Home Features

Mortgage rates were higher again today with multiple lenders making additional upward adjustments in the middle of the day in response to bond market volatility. The prices/yields of certain bonds are the primary building blocks for lenders as they determine where to set mortgage rates every day. Bonds respond to a variety of inputs, with […]

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