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Tag Archives: HARP

Total Refi Volume Inches Upward While HARP Numbers Decline

The total number of mortgage refinances in the U.S. experienced a slight increase in June as mortgage rates dropped from May, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) Second Quarter 2014 Refinance Report. HARP-refinanced homes made up only about 15.7 percent of total refinances in Q2.

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Watt Blames Homeowner Skepticism for HARP Slowdown

In a town hall style meeting in Chicago Tuesday, Mel Watt, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, blamed fear of being taken in by a scam for eligible homeowner’s reluctance to take advantage of the Home Affordable Refinance program.

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FHFA: April Refinance Volume Similar to 2008

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released its latest Refinance Report, examining data as of the end of April 2014. The FHFA found that overall refinance volume rose slightly in April, but remained at levels more comparable to those seen in 2008.

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HARP Refinances Total 77,000 in Q1 2014

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released its latest Refinance Report, looking at data from the first quarter of 2014. The government agency reported that in Q1 2014, approximately 77,000 refinances were completed through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), bringing the total refinances through HARP to 3.1 million since the program's inception.

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FHFA: HARP Refinances Drop in February

Amid continued rising home prices and rising mortgage rates, the number of refinances achieved through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is declining, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Even a slight drop in mortgage rates to 4.3 percent for the month did not bolster February's HARP refinances.

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HARP-Eligible Loans Decline in 2013

The Data and Analytics Division of Black Knight Financial Services released its Mortgage Monitor Report, which looked at data as of the end of January, 2014. The report found that Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) eligible loans have shrunk throughout the year, noting "a general decline in the overall 'refinancible' population of both traditional and HARP-eligible borrowers with associated loan origination volumes dropping in both categories as well."

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Special Servicers Benefit from HARP; Future Uncertain

Three special servicers released their fourth quarter and year-end numbers, noting increases in revenue and increasingly active originations sectors. However, analysts remain concerned that the increased revenue, largely derived from government programs such as HARP, will stall as refinances slow down.

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FHFA Announces HARP Milestone

In a report released Monday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reached the milestone of 3 million refinances under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)."Three million HARP refinances is an important accomplishment and represents real help to families and communities still struggling as a result of the mortgage crisis," said FHFA Director Mel Watt.

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Lenders Continue to Lower Credit Requirement Thresholds

A new report from Ellie Mae shows credit standards ended 2013 at their lowest level all year. The company found that by December, criteria for first-lien mortgages had relaxed considerably, with the average FICO score at 727, loan-to-value ratios averaging 82 percent, and debt-to-income ratios at a yearly high of 39 percent. The company also found that loans originated in December took an average of 43 days to close, down from 55 days a year earlier.

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Feature: Where Oh Where Did My REO Go?

With fewer properties entering the foreclosure process and more delinquent borrowers avoiding foreclosure, the number of foreclosed single-family homes held by lenders and government agencies has rapidly declined. In the April issue of DS News magazine, contributing writer Keith Button explored the many market drivers taking their toll on the once-strong stock of bank-owned homes.

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