HousingWire Daily

In a captivating discussion, Matt VanFossen, CEO of Absolute Home Mortgage and chair of the MBA's State Legislative Regulatory Committee, dives into the surge of state-level mortgage regulations. He elaborates on over 200 new AI bills and the necessity for thoughtful safeguards in technology. VanFossen also highlights the challenges posed by 'zombie mortgages' and the evolving Community Reinvestment Act in the Northeast. He emphasizes the urgency for loan officers to engage locally and the importance of adapting legislation to keep pace with advancements in the industry.

Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, shares insights from the MBA Annual Conference. He discusses the recent approval of VantageScore as an alternative to FICO, highlighting its implications for competition in credit scores. Broeksmit challenges the need for tri-merge reports for high-score loans, arguing they're redundant. He also delves into the complexities of GSE conservatorship and the potential for capital changes, while emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could raise mortgage costs and impact affordability.

Join Mike Vough, Head of Corporate Strategy at Optimal Blue, as he dives into the recent surge in refinance opportunities driven by a 50-basis-point rate drop. He discusses the psychological barriers borrowers face around interest rates and the challenges lenders encounter in retaining these clients. Vough emphasizes how technology enhances speed and accuracy in lending processes, making outreach more effective. He also shares insights on tools that enable loan officers to provide tailored mortgage advice and previews exciting developments at Optimal Blue.

Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst known for his insights into the housing market, shares fascinating trends in housing data. He discusses the recent positive shift in purchasing applications and new listings, attributing it to decreasing mortgage rates. Logan also emphasizes the importance of understanding inventory changes and critiques oversimplified narratives in housing forecasts. With a keen eye on economic impacts, he warns about potential risks from trade conflicts that could disrupt housing momentum.

Join Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst specializing in mortgage markets, as he unpacks the intricate dance of mortgage rates amidst economic turmoil. He reveals his intriguing forecast of rates potentially dipping to 5.75% and explores how limited bank stress can create ripples in the market. Logan discusses the Federal Reserve's internal debates and what kind of external shocks could meaningfully impact bond yields. Tune in for insights on builder behavior and the implications of political events on mortgage rates!

In this conversation, Nate Baker, CEO of Qualia and prolific tech entrepreneur, dives into the transformative role of AI in real estate. He highlights how AI's recent evolution can now tackle real business tasks, shifting workflows and enhancing productivity. Nate dispels the myth that automation leads to job loss, emphasizing that it expands job roles instead. He also discusses the democratizing power of AI for small players, the importance of integrated data for effective AI usage, and urges leaders to experiment with these technologies personally for meaningful advancements.

Join Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst known for his insights on mortgage markets and bond yields, as he delves into the critical relationship between the 10-year yield and mortgage rates. He discusses the impact of Fed policy, the recent market reactions to tariff news, and labor market trends. Logan also explains why mortgage rates have remained stable amid economic changes and offers insights on tracking labor indicators during uncertain times. His data-driven approach sheds light on the current housing market dynamics.

Logan Mohtashami, the Lead Housing Analyst, dives into the complex world of housing inventory and market dynamics. He reveals how a subtle shift in inventory began in mid-June and explores the unusual peak in August linked to mortgage rate trends. Mohtashami unpacks how first-time buyers impact inventory when rates dip and discusses the persistent low listing behavior among financially stable homeowners. Lastly, he critiques Trump’s push for increased homebuilding, emphasizing that builders can't quickly solve the inventory crisis.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Mayer, CEO of Longbridge Financial and a professor at Columbia Business School, sheds light on the overlooked demographic of older homeowners. He reveals that more than a third of U.S. homes are owned by people aged 65+, yet many are declined for mortgages despite qualifying. Mayer introduces innovative products like HELOC for Seniors, tailored to meet retirees' needs. He emphasizes the importance of treating older buyers as a unique customer segment and encourages realtors to better serve this growing market.

In this discussion, Logan Mohtashami, a lead analyst specializing in housing and mortgage markets, shares his insights on the potential candidates for the next Fed chair. He analyzes how a successor's appointment could reshape market expectations and Fed policy. The conversation dives into the reasons behind recent inflation trends and the impact of the housing market, reviewing purchase application data and its significance for future recovery. Logan also highlights the importance of using real-time data for accurate housing forecasts.