Tag Archives: credit

A new index shows the GSEs are expanding their credit boxes and taking more risk, making it easier for consumers to get a mortgage loan. Government, portfolio, and private-label security channels are not expanding the box, however, and are actually decreasing the amount of risk they take in lending. Though overall mortgage credit availability is largely stable, there is still much room to expand the credit box—particularly in these more stringent markets.

Higher credit scores are by far the domain of small cities near major ones. A new study of average credit scores by LendEDU shows that among major cities, top average scores are moderate compared to most smaller cities. And there is no geographical area that owns high or low scores.

Analyzing data from Ellie Mae’s AllRegs Market Clarity tool, the Mortgage Bankers Association determined that its Mortgage Credit Availability Index increased 3.2 percent in March. However, conforming loans access decreased by 2.6 percent, as mid-priced homes have jumped in price.

The Federal Reserve will release its February 2017 Consumer Credit survey. Previous studies have revealed that although ejection rates on credit applications declined, consumers still felt pessimistic. For example, February’s report revealed that consumers were 12.2 percent less likely to apply for a mortgage refinance than before.

New data shows membership, deposits, and lending are up for credit unions—especially on the real estate side.

Rates fell a bit lower this week, but buyers did not hurry to take out a mortgage loan. On top of that, mortgage credit has tightened this month, which could be the reason that buyers were unable to purchase a home.

CFPB Director Richard Cordray called attention to the mortgage industry, particularly lenders, in a speech on Wednesday, where he highlighted some of the progress and pitfalls that the housing market faces.

According to the survey, 70 percent of people who know their credit scores feel significantly more prepared to buy a home versus the 54 percent of those who do not know their credit scores. About 62 percent of homebuyers know that their credit scores could mean favorable interest rates to refinance their home.

In its latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices report, S&P Dow Jones Indices recorded an annual price increase of 10.8 percent among both the 10- and 20-city composites. Those figures compare to year-over-year increases of 12.6 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively. A consensus of economists surveyed by Econoday called for a gain of 11.4 percent in the 20-city index.

According to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), year-over-year home price growth continued in most metros, albeit at a slightly lessened pace. The median existing single-family home price increased in 74 percent of measured markets.