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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

It also ties into architects and builders creating smaller, denser homes to help close the affordable housing supply gap. As a result, more buyers are turning to products like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, which accounted for 24% of primary home purchases in 2024, and U.S.

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Loan officers are seeing an uptick in FHA, VA demand

Housing Wire

According to the MBA, rates for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans dipped to 6.42%, while refinance activity posted its fastest pace since October 2024. “Since government loans tend to have lower interest rates and easier qualifications than conventional loans, the increase is exacerbated with these programs.

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Open Mortgage has FHA direct endorsement authority terminated in Iowa

Housing Wire

Following the decision, FHA loans already underwritten and approved by a Direct Endorsement underwriter, as well as cases with a firm commitment issued by HUD, may be submitted for insurance endorsement. Cases in the early stages may be transferred to other lenders with an FHA approval.

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Eyeing expansion, Go Mortgage snags 160+ former FoA employees

Housing Wire

After Finance of America Companies closed its forward mortgage origination unit in October, a total of 21 FoA retail branches transitioned to Go Mortgage, said Steven Reich, a division president at Go Mortgage and former executive at FoA, in an interview with HousingWire. “Refis are the easier product of the industry,” Reich said. “We

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CFPB takes a closer look at consumer mortgage complaints

Housing Wire

The response rate by mortgage companies to consumer complaints stands at 99%, according to the bureau, and relevant companies “closed 92% of complaints with an explanation, 2% with monetary relief, and 3% with non-monetary relief,” the report stated. As of March 1, 2024, less than 0.1% were pending with the bureau. The penalties totaled $1.7

Mortgages 455
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Should I pay off student loans before buying my first home?

Housing Wire

Gone are the days when you had to put 20% down to get approved for a loan to purchase a home. For example, a conventional loan lets you put as little as 3% down. An FHA loan requires as little as 3.5% One good thing about student loans is they typically don’t have as high of an interest rate as other loans.

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In acquisition mode, Planet closes a $10B MSR deal  

Housing Wire

Connecticut-based lender and servicer Planet Home Lending announced on Thursday a deal that boosts its servicing portfolio, which the company claims is already above the $90 billion mark. Planet has acquired a $10 billion mortgage servicing rights (MSR) bulk of Ginnie Mae loans from Village Capital & Investment LLC.

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