Originations of mortgages to first-time homebuyers in recent years have performed better than other purchase mortgages securitized by the government-sponsored enterprises, according to an analysis by Moody’s Investors Service. The stronger performance of first-time homebuyers occurred even as purchase mortgages for repeat buyers tend to have stronger borrower characteristics. The rating service suggested that tighter underwriting coupled with borrower education and counseling have improved the performance of GSE first-time homebuyer mortgages. Moody’s said...