Market Trends

A new report from U.S. Mortgage Insurers examines the capital and operational standards implemented by the industry since the 2008 financial crisis, along with innovations to increase the distribution of credit risk.

With factors ranging from low volumes to inflation and manpower shortages putting the squeeze on the property preservation and field services sectors, MortgagePoint speaks to the vendors, government agencies, and GSEs trying to guide this important industry through the challenges it faces.

A recent Point2 study examined America’s fastest-selling and most expensive ZIP codes, showing that while inventory fell dramatically in some of the nation’s priciest markets, homes are selling faster than the year before, with some million-dollar estates selling in just one week.

The Biden Administration has issued a new Playbook highlighting the importance of housing as a key driver of health outcomes and providing examples of how HUD programs are working to help.

The concept of “house hacking”—defined as earning extra income by renting out a portion of your home or its amenities such as a pool—is exploding among younger buyers as they try to offset mortgage payments with new income streams.

A recent Senate Banking Committee hearing featured testimony from the FDIC, NCUA, OCC, and Federal Reserve, discussing protection of the nation’s banking and credit union system, and how to ensure the system equally serves all.

As climate changes expose more U.S. housing stock to potential flood damage, the Congressional Budget Office has issued an impact report encompassing homeowners with mortgages protected by the GSEs or backed by the FHA or VA.

October sale prices indicated that the lack of housing supply is constraining market and frustrating homebuyers, according to First American's October Home Price Index report, with sellers continuing their "suppliers' strike" and further hampering already insufficient inventory levels.

Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM Data, said, “It’s evident that challenges in the housing market persist. While we anticipate a likely decline in the coming months due to the holiday season and other seasonal patterns, we do foresee a continued uptick in 2024 as foreclosure filings make their way through the pipeline.”

According to National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, mortgage rates will be between 6-7% by next spring. Here’s what that may mean for existing home sales.