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More homebuyers seek government-backed loans as an affordability lifeline

Housing Wire

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. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, which made up 10%, according to purchase loan lock data from Optimal Blue.

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Cause for concern? FHA, VA delinquencies are rising quickly

Housing Wire

Although mortgage delinquencies rose only ten basis points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to one year ago, the composition of the delinquencies changed, Marina Walsh , the MBAs vice president of industry analysis, said a statement. The rate for FHA loans increased by 57 bps to 11.03%, and the rate for VA loans rose by 12 bps to 4.70%.

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Better launches fully digital VA loan with no minimum down payment

Housing Wire

Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) loans through its Tinman platform. We’ve been working toward launching a VA product for the past two years,” Vishal Garg, founder and CEO of Better, said in an interview with HousingWire. Better’s rate for VA loans was 6.375% as of Tuesday afternoon, the company said.

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Voxtur rolls out attorney opinion letters for VA loans

Housing Wire

The title insurance industry has spoken out forcefully against AOLs. The American Land Title Association, the industry’s main lobbyist, says it has not noted any considerable savings in using AOLs versus a traditional title policy.

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Mortgage demand falls for the first time in five weeks as interest rates increase

Housing Wire

Meanwhile, government loan activity increased across all loan types, excluding U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans. VA loan activity fell 100 bps to 15.3% including a large decrease in VA refi application volume. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans increased 10 bps to 0.5%.

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Looking backward to look forward: Kevin Sears discusses NAR’s vision for 2025

Housing Wire

We’ve gone through some leadership changes , some legal challenges and one of, if not the largest, industry shifts of our lifetime. Sears cited the trade group’s efforts in advocating for changes in VA loan procedures. After all, we are most effective by working together for the betterment of our industry.”

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How will first-time buyers fare if sellers can’t offer buyer agent compensation?

Housing Wire

As real estate practitioners adjust to the practice changes that took effect in August, and the industry waits for final approval of the NAR settlement from the court in November, questions continue about seller offers of compensation. These are the questions that advocates who want to upend the real estate industry further cannot answer.