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Tag: mortgage

Many Entry-Level Buyers Lean on Mom and Dad for Downpayment

December 30, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

Earlier this year, we surveyed a nationally-representative sample of consumers (~3,000) about their demographic, housing and financial circumstances. One area of focus was the perception of mortgage credit availability among renters or those ...

GSE Reform Discussion Back on the Table but Many Hurdles Remain

December 16, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

We previously offered our initial perspective on what the Trump Presidency would mean for the housing market, including our view that GSE reform, while more likely under a Republication administration, would ...

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mortgage

Where is the Floor for Mortgage Refinance Demand in 2017?

December 16, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

At this point last year, 30-year fixed mortgage rates were expected to average approximately 4.10% in 2016 and we predicted refinance volumes to decline 30% for the year. Instead, volatile financial markets to begin the year, slowing macroeconomic ...

Will the Recent Increase in Interest Rates Short Circuit the Housing Recovery?

December 02, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

Of the various interest rate measures cited in the media, the United States 10-year Treasury yield is the most important to monitor for the housing market as it serves as the benchmark for how 30-year fixed rate mortgages are priced. Unfortunately, ...

Finally, Excess Mortgage Distress is Gone

November 18, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, from 1980 through 2005, the combination of single-family mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures in process ranged from 5.0-6.6% with the most problematic periods being 1982-86 (6.4%) and 2000-02 ...

Consumer Misperception of Mortgage Credit Leaves Opportunity

September 23, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

For industry executives primarily dependent on the housing market for revenue, it is widely understood that consumers can secure a mortgage with less than 20% down – the benchmark that was more common in prior generations but has now shifted ...

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mortgage

The Fed Watch: What Does Next Raise Mean for Mortgage Rates?

September 09, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is scheduled to announce its next policy rate decision on September 21st, putting the trajectory of interest rates back into the media headlines. Last December, the FOMC raised the target for the federal ...

Based on Credit Scores, How Tight Is Mortgage Underwriting Versus History?

August 12, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

In the mainstream media, it is common to find opinions that mortgage credit availability is “too tight” or “a headwind for first-time homebuyers” or “only available to pristine borrowers.” While we do not believe that to be true as terms on ...

Non-Bank Mortgage Originators Most Accommodating to FHA Borrowers

July 29, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

In recent years, national banks have faced numerous legal headwinds related to legacy mortgage exposure, incurring billions of dollars of fines in aggregate, which has led many to de-risk their origination business. This has been particularly ...

Why Don’t More Consumers With Elevated Rates Refinance?

July 15, 2016 by Zelman & Associates

In its most recent weekly survey of mortgage rates, Freddie Mac reported that the national average for a 30-year fixed-rate product was approximately 3.40%, only 10 basis points higher than the historical low posted in late 2012 dating back ...