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Purchase mortgage applicants are seeing more reasons to smile

Housing Wire

By at least one measurement, affordability is improving for prospective homebuyers, even as home prices continue to rise and mortgage credit availability remains relatively low. According to data released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the median payment for purchase loan applicants declined by 0.8%

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Mortgage demand for new homes is down 6.9% in the past year

Housing Wire

Mortgage applications for new-home purchases fell 6.9% year over year in February, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s Builder Application Survey that was released Thursday. The average loan size decreased, signaling that first-time homebuyers remain active in the market, Kan said.

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Mortgage payments rise in January, squeezing affordability

Housing Wire

Homebuyers faced worsening affordability conditions in January as the median monthly mortgage payment for purchase applicants increased to $2,205, a 3.7% jump from Decembers $2,127, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). FHA loan applicants faced a median monthly payment of $1,934, up from $1,866 in December.

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FHA borrowers would get mortgage insurance relief through proposed House bill

Housing Wire

House of Representatives proposes to relieve Federal Housing Administration (FHA) borrowers of mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) once they reach a certain level of home equity , aligning FHA policies with those of conventional loans. Mortgage insurance exists as protection from foreclosure on low equity loans.

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Southern states had the highest mortgage denial rates in 2023: NAR

Housing Wire

Mortgage denial rates vary significantly across the U.S., Three Southern states recorded the nations highest mortgage denial rates in 2023, the trade group reported in its Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America. Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale explained that a range of financial factors contribute to mortgage denials.

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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

The combined cost of mortgages, taxes and insurance now takes up a larger share of household income than it has since the early 1980s, according to an affordability index from John Burns Research & Consulting. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, which made up 10%, according to purchase loan lock data from Optimal Blue.

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UWM now offering ultra-low mortgage rates on FHA loans

Housing Wire

Ahead of its initial public offering slated for mid-December, United Wholesale Mortgage is offering mortgage rates below 2% on FHA loans through its Conquest Program. on FHA loans, the company announced in a statement on Wednesday. 5 reasons to refinance your mortgage right now. in the third quarter.

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