Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Rates Move Higher Before Jobs Data
by Victor Burek
2 Sep 2010 at 9:42pm
Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch
What a boring day in the markets! Stocks added to yesterday's gains and bonds added to their losses. This pushed mortgage rates marginally higher. The best 30 year fixed mortgage rates are still in the 4.125% to 4.375% range for well-qualified consumers, but less lenders are offering rates below 4.25% today. If your lender is still willing to offer a rate below 4.25%, your closing costs are about 25bps higher today (0.25% of your loan amount). AQ's comments from yesterday still apply... We're not panicking over this sell off. There has been no change in our fundamental economic outlook, we see no new reason to be optimistic about a rapid recovery. What we witnessed today was a technical adjustment, an adjustment that could reverse course on Friday morning if the Employment Situation Report...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Pending Home Sales Rebound from Record Low. What Might Boost Buyer Demand?
by Adam Quinones
2 Sep 2010 at 8:25pm
Posted To: MND NewsWire
The National Association of Realtors released the Pending Home Sales Index today. NAR's Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of home purchase contracts that were signed in the monthly reporting period. Once "pending" sales contracts are closed, they are considered an existing home sale. Because the Pending Home Sales index tells us how many contracts were signed, it is consider a forward indicator of existing home sales. A signed contract is not counted as an existing home sale until the transaction actually closes. Excerpts from the Release... Following a sharp drop in the months immediately after expiration of the home buyer tax credit, pending home sales have modestly risen. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 5.2 percent to 79.4 based on contracts signed...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Fed Hosts Neighborhood Stabilization Summit
by Jann Swanson
2 Sep 2010 at 6:07pm
Posted To: MND NewsWire
Community organizers, state and federal government officials, and representatives from banking, research and educations institutions are currently meeting in Washington at a REO and Vacant Properties Summit sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank. The two day conference is focused on examining the problems associated with vacant and abandoned property and to explore approaches to neighborhood stabilization. Governor Elizabeth Duke, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve opened the summit on Wednesday. In her remarks she introduced the types of issues that are faced by communities with high rates of foreclosure and REO and highlighted some of the lessons learned in the last few years about neighborhood stabilization strategies. She pointed out that the impact of each foreclosure goes far beyond...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Pre-NFP Outlook Plus Loan Pricing Comparison
by Adam Quinones
2 Sep 2010 at 4:42pm
Posted To: MBS Commentary
What a rough morning! It appears my hard drive no longer wants to work. I tried to reach out for help, but no one answered. Then my gf called and reminded me that today is 9.02.10. This explains why Glenn is M.I.A, he's curled up on his couch watching re-runs of 90210! I think his favorite character is Dillon. Enjoy your day off Glenn! Oh well. I'm up and running again...... The day has not been so pleasant for originators either. Loan pricing is 2.9bps worse on average today. That doesn't sound too bad, but take a closer look. The largest rebate reductions were applied to the note rates closest to par. These are the rates most borrowers are hoping to be quoted. There is good news though, you can still lock in a rate below 4.25%! It's just gonna cost more at the closing table. The stock market...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Litany of Investor Bulletins: Mortgage Insurance, Appraisal Photos, Originato...
by Rob Chrisman
2 Sep 2010 at 3:39pm
Posted To: Pipeline Press
It's good to know the jumbo market is alive and well! Alive and well for Tiger Woods who just got a residential construction loan for $54.5 million on Jupiter Island in Florida, which he agreed to pay back by January 2016. Of course, folks like pediatricians are having trouble finding an 80% loan for a few million, as are self-employed borrowers like architects, CPA's, or sail makers. But there is hope! (No, I don't know the lender or the terms) OK, here goes, in no particular order, the very recent investor changes (skip to the bottom if uninterested). As always, readers should examine the bulletins themselves, but this will give you a flavor for what is happening: Fannie Mae told servicers that it updated the allowable foreclosure time frames in the states of FL, MD, NV, and NY, is monitoring...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Eliminate Investor Credit Overlays by Selling Directly to the GSEs
by C.M. "Corky" Watts, CMB
2 Sep 2010 at 3:25pm
Posted To: The Garrett Watts Report
I’ve been on the road for the past three weeks, mostly performing reviews of mortgage bankers for warehouse lenders. I am happy to report that all channels of origination are doing well. I’m no longer hearing the grumblings we heard earlier in the year as record low rates have sparked a mini-refi boom throughout the country and in certain areas the purchase market is also doing well thanks to record high levels of home affordability. If one is gainfully employed and has excellent credit, it is a great time to buy a home. Referral based retail and internet retail shops are generating impressive profits. Contrary to the naysayers, the broker business is thriving and wholesale lenders are quite busy. Everyone appears to have adjusted to the new RESPA regulations and companies are settling...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Expanding the Pool of Eligible Homeowners: Common Sense Underwriting Needed
by Jim Russell
2 Sep 2010 at 2:35pm
Posted To: Voice of Housing
It seems our economy is unable to promote a significant level of consumer spending without some sort of Federal Assistance. Given that this is an election year where the outcome has the potential to be especially significant, it is reasonable to anticipate that lawmakers returning to Washington after their Labor Day recess will be motivated to enact legislation to stimulate economic activity. One idea being circulated is to re-authorize the recently expired Homebuyer Tax Credits. While that may seem like a step in the right direction, it is not. In fact, just talking about another homebuyer tax credit could slow sales in the here and now as consumers put off purchase plans in hopes they too will be able to benefit from such incentives. More importantly, we must stop attempting to apply short...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
The Day Ahead: Jobless Claims, Pending Home Sales, Productivity
by Patrick McGee
2 Sep 2010 at 12:27pm
Posted To: MBS Commentary
Interest rates are modestly higher this morning after equities closed nearly 3% higher Wednesday. Ninety minutes before the opening bell, S&P 500 futures are just below yesterday's high at 1081.25 and the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is -0-04 at 100-09 yielding 2.593% (+1.3%). The October delivery FNCL 4.0 is -0-02 at 102-27. A busy economics calendar carries the potential to shift market sentiment in the day ahead. At 8:30, initial jobless claims are anticipated to rise 2k to show that 475,000 Americans filed for first-time unemployment benefits in the final week of August. The labor news comes one day before the official monthly numbers are released. The report should give further context to yesterday’s mixed data ? the ADP report showed 10k private jobs disappeared in the month...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
New Mortgage Rate Lows Lost as Stocks Rally and Bonds Correct
by Adam Quinones
1 Sep 2010 at 8:50pm
Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch
Mortgage rates had a great day yesterday. This is the message we communicated to readers... ATTENTION: Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows If you've been floating your loan or have yet to apply for a refinance because it just didn't seem worth the hassle, congratulations, mortgage rates hit new lows today, it's now worth the hassle! If you've refinanced in the last 20 months, there is a darn good chance your refinance option is back in the money, again! The best 30 year fixed mortgage rates have fallen into the 4.125% to 4.375% range for well-qualified consumers. Some lenders will even go as low as 3.875% if the borrower is willing to pay points. Although the 4.125% quote isn't being offered by the large retail banks (sorry retail L.Os), the smaller mortgage bankers and independent brokers do have...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Recap and Charts: July Construction Spending Data
by Jann Swanson
1 Sep 2010 at 6:31pm
Posted To: MND NewsWire
The Census Bureau today released Construction Spending data for July 2010. Residential construction spending includes remodeling, additions, and major replacements to owner occupied properties subsequent to completion of original building. It includes construction of additional housing units in existing residential structures, finishing of basements and attics, modernization of kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Also included are improvements outside of residential structures, such as the addition of swimming pools and garages, and replacement of major equipment items such as water heaters, furnaces and central air-conditioners. Maintenance and repair work is not included. The value of all construction put in place in the U.S. on an annualized basis was $805.2 billion compared to a rate of $813.1 billion...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Rising Refi Index Indicative of Pickup in Prepay Speeds on Recent Vintage MBS
by Adam Quinones
1 Sep 2010 at 4:35pm
Posted To: MND NewsWire
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 27, 2010. The MBA's loan application survey covers over 50% of all U.S. residential mortgage loan applications taken by retail mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a snapshot view of consumer demand for mortgage loans. In a low mortgage rate environment, a trend of increasing refinance applications implies consumers are seeking out a lower monthly payment. If consumers are able to reduce their monthly mortgage payment and increase disposable income through refinancing, it can be a positive for the economy as a whole (creates more consumer spending or allows debtors to pay down personal liabilities like credit cards). A falling trend of...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Another Review of Originator Compensation Regs; Loan Programs That Don't Requ...
by Rob Chrisman
1 Sep 2010 at 4:14pm
Posted To: Pipeline Press
Rates continue to trend lower, helped yesterday by the release of the FOMC meeting's minutes which alluded to the possibility of the Fed reinvesting in MBS's. (But heck, as one trader told me, low mortgage rates are helping agency-qualified borrowers, not others in the economy like renters who can't qualify, not those that don't have jobs or those that simply pay cash for houses .) "A few members worried that reinvesting principal from agency debt and MBS in Treasury securities could send an inappropriate signal to investors about the Committee's readiness to resume large-scale asset purchases," the Fed said in the report, referring to mortgage-backed securities. The minutes from the August 10 meeting made it clear that the Fed is far from ready to restart Quantitative Easing Round 2. It didn...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Bond Market Suffers as Investors Reallocate Funds into Riskier Assets
by Adam Quinones
1 Sep 2010 at 2:12pm
Posted To: MBS Commentary
Stocks are rallying and the bond market is taking a beating after a much better than expected read on the manufacturing sector. The August ISM Manufacturing Index came in at 56.3 vs. economist estimates for a read of 53.0. The "Prices" index rose 4 points to 61.5 from 57.5, quelling deflationary fears and giving bond traders a reason to fade the rally. Stocks were up before 10am data but didn't take flight until after ISM flashed. S&P futures are currently up 27 handles at 1075.25. The bull flattener is unwinding again. The 2s/10s curve is 9bps steeper at 209bps. The long bond is 14.7bps higher at 3.668%. The 7-year note is +12.5bps at 2.046%. The 10yr note is +12.3bps at 2.593%. Volume was heavy into the downtrade. Although production MBS coupons are performing much better than their benchmark...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
Fed Leaves Door Open to Buy More MBS if Needed
by Adam Quinones
1 Sep 2010 at 12:47pm
Posted To: MBS Commentary
Production MBS coupon prices hit new record highs yesterday, pushing mortgage rates through the 4.25% barrier to new lows. "Rate sheet influential" MBS coupons were led higher by longer dated Treasuries, which benefitted from month-end allocations and a continued correction from the sell off seen last Friday. The new all-time price high for the front month FNCL 4.0's is 103-19. The October delivery FNCL 4.0 went out +0-10 at 103-07. Yield spreads ended the session wider (nominally) vs. duration adjusted benchmarks. The 10 yr note went out +0-17 at 101-12 yielding 2.47% (-6bps). The 2s/10s curve bull flattened back down to 200bps. It should be noted that Treasuries rallied regardless of a modest bid for equities. The S&P closed +0.03% at 1049.27. A hint of better pricing to come was offered...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
The Day Ahead: Stocks Rally Ahead of Jobs, Manufacturing Data
by Patrick McGee
1 Sep 2010 at 12:21pm
Posted To: MBS Commentary
The first day of September looks to open strongly while investors await key data on employment and manufacturing. About ninety minutes before the opening bell, S&P 500 futures are up nearly 12 points to 1,060 and Dow futures are jumping 75 points higher at 10,081. Interest rates are moving higher in the wake of improved sentiment in equities. The 10 year Treausry note is -0-10 at 101-01 yielding 2.507%. The October delivery FNCL 4.0 is -0-02 at 103-05. European stocks are also about 1.5% higher and Asian markets finished stronger (a notable exception being China’s Shanghai index, which fell 0.6%). At 8:15, the ADP Employment Report is anticipated to show that 18,000 private jobs were created in August, according to economists polled by Reuters. Investors will be watching the numbers...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.
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