Sales of both existing and new homes declined on a monthly basis in April. Still, home sales and mortgage originations are expected to pick up as interest rates decline.

Originations of government-insured mortgages increased by 11.0% in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the previous quarter. Conventional-conforming and nonconforming products lost share during the quarter. (Includes two data tables.)

The private market is providing adequate liquidity for closed-end second liens, according to the American Bankers Association. The trade group also questioned Freddie Mac’s motivations for a proposal to acquire seconds.

Economists pick through the mortgage data to try to understand when things will get better for the industry.

A few years back, Better looked like a sure thing: It boasted state-of-the art origination technology. Today, the nonbank is bleeding red ink and dependent on a convertible note held by a Japanese multinational.

A decline in interest rates near the end of 2023 drove up refi volume. Meanwhile, purchase-mortgage lending declined slightly on a sequential basis as seasonal factors limited demand. (Includes four data tables.)

Another long-time player is exiting warehouse lending. The twist: There’s nothing wrong with Flagstar’s nonbank business. The problem is that the depository is owned by NYCB, which needed an investor-infusion earlier this year.

A consumer advisory board meeting convened this week by the CFPB included an emphasis on issues in the mortgage market.

Some see Freddie Mac’s proposal to acquire second liens as a way to boost originations of the products. Others suggest that GSE involvement in the sector will have minimal impact as demand from borrowers appears to be limited.

Changes in loan characteristics for new acquisitions and new capital requirements combined to reduce the “profitability gap” for GSE business in 2022.