Loans on Main St. could be impacted by fed choices (5/15/2013)
Possible regulatory changes can be confusing, but experts at NAR convention say a few upcoming decisions could help – or harm – homebuyers.

Record profit signals healthier Fannie Mae (5/10/2013)
Buyers could receive an indirect benefit from the profit, but taxpayers gain the most: The gov’t loans issued during the recession are almost paid in full.

A mortgage without payments too good to pass up? (5/6/2013)
New financing deal allows older adults to buy a house with 30% to 50% down and no more payments. Deal comes with same risks and rewards as a reverse mortgage.

Borrowers see glitches as big banks sell off mortgage rights (5/6/2013)
Fewer big banks want to collect mortgage payments, in part because it’s less profitable. But a few owners have problems when an unknown servicer takes over.

Home equity loans: They’re back (4/26/2013)
In 2008, the housing market slowed and home-equity loans dried up as home values fell. But market improvements have convinced some lenders to offer them again.

Big-box stores offer menu of financial services (4/24/2013)
Costco could issue your next buyer’s mortgage and Sam’s Club could fund your small business loan as more retailers offer traditional bank services.

Fee-laden FHA mortgages cost more than private loans (4/19/2013)
While an FHA mortgage requires a smaller downpayment, borrowers pay higher fees at closing and monthly – fees that increased recently.

Lenders try to appeal to cash buyers (4/17/2013)
To compete with investors and get a lower interest rate, buyers should consider a cash offer upfront and, if needed or desired, a mortgage after the closing.

Housing recovery real say 71% of lenders (4/10/2013)
FICO surveyed bank execs in charge of analyzing risk. Most consider current market sustainable, with almost 3 in 4 expecting higher prices and fewer defaults.

Administration to banks: Ease up on home loans (4/8/2013)
President says the housing recovery is leaving too many potential homebuyers behind – particularly young professionals – who can’t qualify for financing.

Wells Fargo dominates home loan business (4/8/2013)
It originates 28.8% of all mortgages, up from 11.2% in 2007. When other banks pulled back, Wells started to aggressively pursue real estate agent referrals.

4 largest mortgage insurers fined over alleged kickbacks (4/8/2013)
Fed’s consumer agency fined four large mortgage insurance companies $15.4M for allegedly paying kickbacks to lenders that agreed to use their policies.

Time to look at the FHA 203k mortgage program? (3/20/2013)
An FHA 203k mortgage allows buyers to finance and fix a home under a single loan. Downpayments of at least 3.5% are required, but family gifts may be okay.

Lenders easing up on downpayment requirements? (3/18/2013)
FHA mortgages used to be the only option for 3% down, but rising prices and a stronger economy have Fannie and Freddie OK with some 3-10% downpayments.

Interest-only mortgages begin to reappear (3/7/2013)
14% of private mortgage originations in the first nine months of 2012 were interest-only for the loan’s first few years. But borrowers had significant assets.

Are banks easing up on mortgage standards? (3/6/2013)
Yes – and no. Moody’s Analytics predicts things will remain tight, but banks see rising home prices and less risk, which gives them more breathing room.

Jumbo mortgage comeback helps lift luxury sales (3/5/2013)
An increase in luxury sales can be tied to rising demand, but it also owes a lot to the return of jumbo loans that almost disappeared during the recession.

Realtors: FHA plays vital role for homeowners (3/4/2013)
In testimony before a U.S. Senate committee last week, NAR encouraged lawmakers to retain the FHA mortgage program, saying it aided the recovery.

Qualified Mortgage (QM) process outlined (2/22/2013)
The QM becomes effective in January 2014, tightening lenders’ mortgage approval standards. Government issued info on the implementation process.

Vacation homebuyers face financing hurdles (2/20/2013)
It’s not easy for anyone to get a mortgage today, but second and vacation homebuyer face more hurdles even if they have stellar credit.

Housing advocates push for ‘dignity mortgage’ (2/7/2013)
If someone post-foreclosure gets back on track, he should be able to get a mortgage, advocates say. Critics say low-credit-score lending led to the meltdown.

FHA to tighten some loan rules (1/31/2013)
Some changes could make it more difficult for a buyer to qualify. Amount over $625,500? You now need 5% down. Lower credit scores also impacted.

Appraisal rule issued for higher interest loans (1/18/2013)
Six federal agencies issued rules that protect buyers with higher-interest loans, including a mandate that appraisers physically visit the property.

How does the new QM mortgage rule impact buyers? (1/14/2013)
NAR released a statement praising the QM released last week, saying it won’t disrupt the market. However, a few things will change.

‘Green mortgages’ never really got off the ground (1/10/2013)
Energy-efficient mortgages, issued by any FDIC-insured bank, have been around since 1980 but make up less than 1% of residential loans.

Qualified mortgage (QM) rule announced (1/10/2013)
The QM (qualified mortgage) rule, which had the potential to disqualify more buyers seeking a mortgage, was released today – it’s not too onerous.

Getting a mortgage probably won’t get easier soon (1/9/2013)
Lenders still scrutinize appraisals, income and bank statements, and anything else that could force them to buy back a loan in default.

FHA to tighten mortgage standards in 2013 (12/21/2012)
After Jan. 31, expect stricter debt-to-income ratio for lower-credit buyers and 5% downpayment for high-cost mortgages.

More borrowers turn to credit unions for mortgages (12/17/2012)
Many credit unions offer lower rates and faster service, but “annoying banks” also contributed to the change.

FHA loan limits unchanged in 2013 (12/11/2012)
In Fla. and all but two states, FHA’s maximum mortgage amount – $417,000 in most areas – won’t change Jan. 1.

FHA extends flipping waiver through 2014 (12/4/2012)
Homes bought with FHA loans cannot be resold for 90 days, but a waiver of that rule has been extended through next year.

1 in 3 buyers would consider a Walmart mortgage (12/3/2012)
Study: Consumers like banks but are open to non-traditional lenders, such as PayPal or Walmart, to save time and money.

Cutoff for jumbo loans won’t change in 2013 (11/29/2012)
The maximum conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages will stay at 2012 levels.

Mortgages in 5 states, including Fla., to have higher fees (11/28/2012)
Fannie, Freddie to charge Fla. borrowers more than buyers in 45 other states. Fla. CFO and Florida Realtors protest.

Plea deals in mortgage robo-signing in Fla., Mo. (11/21/2012)
Former head of DocX, a firm where workers forged signatures on loan docs, has pleaded guilty to a fed charge in Fla.

Biggest mortgage servicers and lenders (11/21/2012)
Which lenders are funding the most mortgages? Wells Fargo leads with a market share of 29.3%; Chase is No. 2 with 10%.