FHA home loans are federal assistance mortgages made by lenders, and backed by the government. The FHA doesn’t make loans to homeowners — it insures loans made to homeowners by federally-qualified lenders. By all accounts, FHA home loans are surging in popularity. 2006, FHA insured 3.3%...

According to the government, home values edged lower last month. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Home Price Index report shows values down by 0.3 percent from the month prior – the index’s first down month since April. The Home Price Index is based on the value of homes financed...

According to the Freddie Mac weekly mortgage rate survey, the relative cost of a 5-year ARM is dropping versus its 30-year fixed-rate cousin. During the first 5 months of 2009, the products ran neck-and-neck. Today, they’re a half-percent apart. On a $200,000 home loan, that’s a difference...

As reported by the government, home prices are rising nationwide, up 0.3 percent in July. Furthermore, versus November 2008, the Home Price Index has clawed back to unchanged. The housing market appears to be holding its own. However, we have to be careful about putting our full faith in the Federal...

At least one thing is back to normal in the mortgage markets — it’s no longer cheaper to go with a fixed rate mortgage than an ARM. As reported by Freddie Mac, a conforming 5-year ARM is priced a half-percent lower than a comparable 30-year fixed. Earlier this year, the pricing was reversed. It’s...

Mortgage Backed Securities (FNMA 4.5% 30YR) gave up little ground this week shedding only 9bp.  Although you wouldn’t think that if you read all the “Increase in Mortgage Rate” Tweets, in reality Mortgage Rates ended the week where they started.  To view real time rates check my Real Time Mortgage...

Home values around the country appear to be leveling. The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s latest Home Price Index report shows values up by nearly 1 percent in May versus the month prior. Since peaking in April 2007, values remain off by 11 percent nationwide. The FHFA Home Price Index is an...

Another positive week for Mortgage Rates. The Benchmark FNMA 30 YR 5% posted a positive 28bp improvement overall this week.  The newfound lack of confidence in the U.S. recovery coupled with the Geopolitical landscape are contributing factors to the resurgence in lower rates.  Fridays close is a positive...

To: All Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Agents, Appraisers, Lenders, Home Builders, Title Agents, and Consumers From: Marc Savitt, President- National Association of Mortgage Brokers After more than a year of exhaustive negotiations with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, James Lockhart, Director of FHFA (GSE Regulator),...

Not much to say except is it over yet? As my colleges would say “Stop Being Chicken Little” although this time I might be right? Over the last eight (8) days MBS have been getting there you know what handed to them.  This does not translate good for consumer Mortgage Rates. End of market pricing...