Mortgage Activity Picks up for First Time in Five Weeks as Rates Fall
Mortgage demand in early April rose 1.8% after five weeks of decline, driven by a modest dip in 30‑year fixed rates to 6.42%. Refinance activity jumped 5% and now accounts for 45.5% of all applications, while purchase applications slipped 1% and remain 3% below a year ago. The rate easing is linked to Middle‑East tensions easing bond market pressure, but buyer caution persists amid economic uncertainty and affordability challenges.
US Mortgage Payments Ease Slightly but Affordability Strain Persists
The average new mortgage payment in the United States slipped 2.4% year‑over‑year to $1,942 in 2025, offering modest relief to borrowers. Yet 24.3% of new homeowners still allocate at least 30% of their income to mortgage costs, a level deemed...
Brokers and Homebuyers Must Stop Waiting for a ‘Magical’ Rate Drop, Broker Says
Mortgage rates have settled in the high‑5% to low‑6% range after an early‑year dip, and the 10‑year Treasury appears stable amid current geopolitical tensions. Veteran broker Amir Nurani cautioned that the market won’t experience a sudden, "magical" rate collapse and...
What Residential Mortgage Brokers Must Know Before Doing Their First Commercial Loan
Residential mortgage brokers are increasingly pursuing commercial loans as the conventional market tightens and diversification becomes attractive. However, the commercial arena demands different metrics, such as debt service coverage ratios, and longer due‑diligence timelines that can stretch from 45 to...
Protect the Broker. Defend the Borrower.
National Association of Mortgage Brokers’ political action committee, NAMBPAC, is urging independent mortgage brokers to fund its advocacy efforts in Washington. The PAC pools member contributions—capped at $5,000 per person annually—to back candidates who support broker‑friendly legislation such as compensation...
Old Republic Wins Coverage Dispute over Land Borrower Legally Owned
The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed a lower‑court ruling that Old Republic Title Insurance is not liable for land under a stone wall that, while legally owned by the borrowers, fell outside the insured description. The court held that the state’s...
One in Four Americans Say Homeownership Out of Reach, Poll Finds
A KeyBank poll released in January 2026 finds that 25% of Americans consider homeownership unattainable, while only 13% believe they can buy a home by year‑end. Economic confidence has slipped, with housing costs now the top financial worry for 44%...
NAREB Urges FHA to Drop Spousal Debt Rule
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) is urging the Federal Housing Administration to eliminate a rule that forces lenders to count a non‑borrowing spouse’s debts in community‑property states while ignoring that spouse’s income. The policy inflates debt‑to‑income ratios...
Top Brokers Aren’t Waiting — They’re Closing Deals in a Tough Market, Exec Says
Even as bond yields keep mortgage rates above 6% and existing‑home sales hit a nine‑month low, top mortgage brokers are still closing deals. Katie Fisher, EVP of broker strategy at Rocket Pro, argues that buyer demand persists but hinges on confidence...
White House Says the US Housing Shortage Is 10 Million Homes
The White House’s 2026 Economic Report of the President warns the United States is short roughly 10 million homes, a gap largely created by the sharp decline in single‑family construction after the 2007‑08 financial crisis. The report argues that excessive regulation...
Ohio Court Rules Landlord Must Mitigate After Restaurant Chain Walks
An Ohio appeals court ruled that a commercial landlord must attempt to mitigate damages after a tenant vacates, reversing a trial‑court decision that allowed full recovery without proof of re‑letting efforts. The case involved SPM Acquisition, the landlord of a...
Ohio Developer Sues ODOT over Forced $390k Road Improvement Demand
Ohio developer Lakefield Place Development LLC sued the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in federal court, alleging the agency forced it to fund $390,622 in road improvements located more than a mile and a half from its planned 255‑unit subdivision....
First-Time Buyers Fall Close to Their Lowest-Ever Market Share in Texas
First‑time homebuyers in Texas slipped to just 21 % of all purchases in 2025, barely above the 20 % low recorded a year earlier. The median buyer age held steady at 58, matching an all‑time high and underscoring a market dominated by...
Why Brokers Should Leverage Construction Lending to Capture Investor Business
Mortgage brokers can tap a growing investor market as the U.S. faces a chronic housing shortage. About 30% of all mortgage transactions now involve investors, many of whom need construction, fix‑and‑flip, and bridge financing. Institutional capital has entered the construction‑loan...
Consumer Prices Spike as Expected Oil Shock Hits March CPI Report
U.S. CPI for March surged, rising 0.9% month‑over‑month to a 3.3% annual rate, driven largely by energy costs. The energy index jumped 10.9% year‑over‑year, with gasoline prices soaring 21.2%—the biggest monthly gain since 1967. Excluding food and energy, core inflation...
Homeowner Sues U.S. Bank, Alleges Foreclosure without a Single Required Notice
Gloria Hill has filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Bank Home Mortgage, alleging the bank foreclosed on her Nebraska home without providing any of the required notices or loss‑mitigation outreach. Hill claims she never missed a payment on her $181,550...
RICO Suit Alleges California Mortgage Fund Funneled $75m to Insider Entities
A federal RICO lawsuit alleges that Pacific Freedom Fund diverted more than $75 million of investor capital to affiliated entities instead of originating real‑estate loans. The fund raised $74.2 million from 138 investors but held only six loans with a combined principal...
More than Half of Parents Now Support Homebuying Costs
Rising housing costs are prompting more parents to financially back their children's home purchases. A Veterans United survey shows 59% of parents have already helped or plan to help, with the share rising to 68% among military families versus 49%...
Executive Reveals the One Commercial Sector Brokers Can’t Afford to Ignore in Q2
Bar Mor, founder of Agora, says industrial real estate is the single sector brokers should watch in Q2 2026, as momentum builds on the returns side. Multifamily remains the workhorse, accounting for 48.6% of capital raised and 40.3% of investment...
How Bank Reserve Changes Could Fuel a CRE Lending Surge in Q2
Senior commercial‑real‑estate economist Xander Snyder says the Federal Reserve’s draft revision to bank reserve requirements could free up capital for lenders. If the proposal is adopted in its current form, banks may re‑enter first‑lien CRE lending as early as the...
US-Iran Ceasefire: A Gamechanger for the Mortgage Market?
The United States announced a two‑week cease‑fire with Iran, sending 10‑year Treasury yields sharply lower and sparking hopes of a short‑term dip in mortgage rates that have hovered near 6.5%. The pause also reopened the Strait of Hormuz, easing oil...
Mortgage Applications Fall, but Iran Ceasefire Could Bring Lower Rates
Mortgage applications slipped 0.8% last week as the Mortgage Bankers Association reported a modest decline in activity. The 30‑year fixed rate eased to 6.51% from 6.57%, reflecting a near‑10‑basis‑point drop in the 10‑year Treasury after a cease‑fire in the Middle...
Academy Mortgage's $38.5m Whistleblower Case Lands Back in Court
Academy Mortgage Corp. settled a whistleblower lawsuit for $38.5 million, with $27 million returned to the government and $11.5 million awarded to former underwriter Gwen Thrower. The settlement left attorney‑fee issues unresolved, leading to a district‑court award of $8.59 million that applied a 1.75...
Homeowner Sues Freedom Mortgage over Bungled Post-Bankruptcy Credit Reporting
Freedom Mortgage Corporation and the three major credit bureaus have been sued in federal court over alleged mishandling of a homeowner’s mortgage tradelines after his Chapter 13 bankruptcy discharge. The plaintiff, Anthony Paschal, claims the servicer failed to strip bankruptcy references...
'All Roads' Lead to Higher Prices: IMF Chief Sounds Dire Warning on Iran
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the Iran‑driven closure of the Strait of Hormuz has slashed global oil supply by roughly 13%, igniting a new wave of higher prices and slower growth. The shock is spilling into downstream markets...
Are Signs of Life Finally Reappearing in Florida’s Condo Market?
Florida’s condo market is showing early signs of recovery as February 2026 sales jumped nearly 40% year‑over‑year in Naples, while Miami‑Dade and Palm Beach posted gains in the $400,000‑$500,000 price band. Mortgage rates have steadied, giving buyers more confidence and...
Spring Homebuying Season Opens on a Split Housing Market
U.S. home prices rose just 0.5% year‑over‑year in February 2026, while monthly prices slipped 0.16% from January, setting a cautious tone for the spring buying season. The Midwest and Northeast posted the strongest gains, with New Jersey, North Dakota and...
Low-Rate Borrowers Dig in as High Mortgage Costs Reshape Housing Plans
Survey data from Best Interest Financial and Clever Real Estate reveal that 76% of U.S. homeowners hold mortgages below 6%, and 35% would never abandon those rates despite changing housing needs. Borrowers with rates above 6% report significantly higher stress,...
Don't Expect an NYC Exodus Under Mamdani, Says Veteran Broker
Veteran broker Kevin Leibowitz says the sensational headlines about a mass exodus from New York City under Mayor Zohran Mamdani are unfounded. He notes the market has moved from a pandemic‑driven seller’s frenzy to a more balanced buyer‑seller environment, though a housing...
Bringing Clarity to an Overloaded Mortgage Market
Mortgage originators are transitioning from simple loan facilitators to financial advisors who help first‑time buyers cut through a flood of online content. By conducting deep, upfront underwriting and personalized financial assessments, they clarify which products truly fit a borrower’s long‑term...
Oil Shock Keeps Mortgage Rates High and Cools Home Price Outlook
Veros Real Estate Solutions projects only a modest 1.3% national home‑price appreciation over the next year as oil price spikes and lingering inflation keep mortgage rates elevated. After briefly dipping below 6% in February, the average 30‑year fixed rate climbed...
Here’s the Best Housing Market for First-Time Buyers This Spring
Zillow’s latest analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metros identifies Jacksonville, Florida, as the strongest market for first‑time homebuyers in 2026, followed by Birmingham, San Antonio, Atlanta and Houston. The ranking reflects lower rent burdens, higher share of affordable listings—up...
The Surprising US Region That's Booming as Multifamily Dominates CRE Market
In 2025 the multifamily segment dominated U.S. commercial real estate, capturing 48.61% of capital raised and delivering 40.31% of total investment returns. The Southeast region emerged as the strongest geography, accounting for 42.06% of capital and 40.51% of returns, driven...
Homebuilder Sues Sellers for Allegedly Blocking New York Residential Land Deal
Toll Northeast Building, a homebuilder, sued Paul Camarda and his entities on March 30, 2026 in the Southern District of New York, alleging they blocked the second closing of a two‑parcel residential land deal in Putnam County. The first parcel closed in...
First American Moves to Freeze $1.6m over Reverse Mortgage Fraud Claims
First American Title Insurance and its mortgage arm have moved to freeze more than $1.6 million in the bank accounts of Novad Management Consulting, alleging the reverse‑mortgage servicer concealed a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ban and a HUD settlement. Novad stopped...
Credit Costs, LO Comp, Affordability Urgent Concerns in Capitol Hill Lobbying Effort
Mortgage trade groups are reconvening in Washington to push legislation on housing affordability, rising credit costs, and loan‑originator compensation. President Donald Trump’s recent housing executive order and two pending housing bills have heightened the urgency for coordinated lobbying. The National...
‘Corporate Bull----’: Jargon‑heavy Cultures Weaken Workplace Judgment
A Cornell University study introduced the Corporate Bull---- Receptivity (CBSR) scale, measuring how strongly employees are swayed by vague, buzzword‑laden language. Across four studies of 1,018 U.S. and Canadian workers, higher CBSR scores consistently predicted poorer objective decision‑making performance, even...
Debt Crisis Weighs on Borrowers as Mortgages Stand Out as ‘Smartest’ Risk
A new Clever Real Estate survey shows 76% of Americans carry debt, with 81% saying it delays major milestones such as homeownership. While mortgages are still viewed as the "smartest" debt at 43%, they rank second in stress for borrowers....
In Today’s ‘Wild West’ of Compliance, Bad Actors Will Eventually Be Caught, Casa Warns
President Trump’s administration has slashed CFPB staffing, pushing mortgage oversight to state regulators. Industry veteran Anthony Casa warns that this regulatory vacuum encourages risky behavior among brokers, but predicts a swing back toward federal enforcement within the next election cycle....
MPA Weekly Poll: How Optimistic Are Brokers About the Current Market?
Geopolitical turmoil has driven oil prices higher, lifting Treasury yields and pushing 30‑year mortgage rates from the high‑5% range into the mid‑6% bracket. Freddie Mac reports the current rate at 6.38%, down slightly from 6.65% a year ago. The Mortgage...
Scaling Advice in a Digital Mortgage Market
Mortgage borrowers are now more digitally savvy yet financially less prepared, forcing lenders to blend technology, education, and human support. Firms that provide early digital disclosures, remote collaborative tools, and seasoned expertise can guide complex borrowers, especially self‑employed entrepreneurs. The...
Will Mortgage Rates Hit 7% This Week?
U.S. mortgage rates have risen back into the mid‑6% range, with the Mortgage Bankers Association reporting an average 30‑year fixed rate of about 6.43% last week, the highest since October 2025. The climb is linked to a jump in the...
Court Rules Certain Ocwen-Serviced RMBS Mortgages Are Plan Assets
A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that mortgages held in certain REMIC trusts qualify as plan assets under federal retirement law, while traditional indenture notes do not. The decision stems from a lawsuit by the United...
$8m Deal Falls Apart One Day Before Closing — Seller Sues
Consilium Tech Cleveland RE LLC agreed to sell its 179,740‑sq‑ft hydroponic greenhouse in Cleveland for $8 million to Timberdell Farms, LLC, with no financing contingency and personal guarantees from two principals. The closing was scheduled for March 3, 2026, but Timberdell’s representatives emailed...
The On-Again, Off-Again FinCEN Reporting Changes: What Brokers Need to Know
FinCEN’s new real‑estate transaction reporting rule, slated for March 1, 2026, was halted after federal courts in Florida and Texas issued opposite rulings on its authority under the Bank Secrecy Act. The Florida district court upheld the rule, while the Texas...
Florida Court Shields Undrawn Reverse Mortgage Funds From Creditor Garnishment
A Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that creditors cannot force a homeowner to draw from an undrawn Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) line of credit to satisfy a judgment. The decision involved a $55,000 judgment against Norman Desmarais,...
Developer Sues Florida City for Denying Water to 3,250-Unit Project
Developers of Avalon Park, a 3,250‑unit project in Daytona Beach, have sued the neighboring City of Ormond Beach for refusing to provide essential water and sewer services, effectively halting construction. The dispute stems from a 2006 interlocal agreement that gives...
Borrower Sues Nationstar After $180k Mortgage Reported as $4.2m Debt
Deann Bueligen is suing Nationstar Mortgage and the three major credit bureaus after her $180,000 rural mortgage was reported as a $4.2 million debt because an annual payment of $11,329 was mistakenly logged as a monthly amount. The misreporting, which persisted...
How Misconceptions About VA Loans Are Hurting the Mortgage Industry
VA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offer veterans zero‑down, no‑PMI financing and competitive rates, yet many mortgage professionals avoid them due to lingering myths. Loan officer Nguyen Mai of Edge Home Finance highlights that misconceptions—such as...
Bond Yields Fall After Promising Iran News, Offering Relief Following Latest Mortgage Rate Jump
Mortgage rates surged to a 6.43% 30‑year fixed level as the Iran conflict intensified, pushing borrowing costs higher. Ten‑year Treasury yields fell to around 4.32% after reports of U.S.–Tehran de‑escalation talks, offering a modest relief for mortgage pricing. The Federal...