
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman hinted at regulatory tweaks that could pull banks back into mortgage lending, reversing a decline from 60% of originations in 2008 to roughly 35% today. By reconsidering how mortgage‑servicing rights are accounted for, the Fed may make mortgage exposure more appealing to banks. The shift could raise servicing‑rights prices and open wholesale channels for brokers, but the process is expected to be slow, with meaningful market impact not likely before 2027.

Brokers are promoting home‑equity lines of credit (HELOCs) as a financial safety net for homeowners facing job uncertainty in a volatile economy. Matt Stahl of Edge Home Finance highlights that first‑position HELOCs give borrowers unrestricted access to equity for up...

A severe Arctic blast swept the Eastern United States in February, halting in‑person real‑estate transactions and delaying listings, contracts, and closings across major metros. Mortgage applications fell 8.9% that week, with purchase requests down 14%, despite a modest dip in...