Latest news
27th April, 26
Mortgage Rates Perfectly Unchanged to Start New Week
Despite the elevated volatility risk heading into the weekend, mortgage rates are starting the week in exactly the same territory compared to Friday afternoon. As always, our rate tracking refers to top-tier 30-year fixed rates for the average lender. The absence of meaningful movement in the underlying bond market is a testament to an increasingly high bar of relevance for war-related news. Specifically, the Iran war is the main source of inspiration not only for oil prices, but also for the bonds that dictate interest rates. Earlier in the war, almost any headline had a visible impact
Mortgage Rates Perfectly Unchanged to Start New Week
Despite the elevated volatility risk heading into the weekend, mortgage rates are starting the week in exactly the same territory compared to Friday afternoon. As always, our rate tracking refers to top-tier 30-year fixed rates for the average lender. The absence of meaningful movement in the underlying bond market is a testament to an increasingly high bar of relevance for war-related news. Specifically, the Iran war is the main source of inspiration not only for oil prices, but also for the bonds that dictate interest rates. Earlier in the war, almost any headline had a visible impact
27th April, 26
POS, Retention Tools, Consumer Direct Workshop and Shows; Construction Psychology; Data on Tap
What happens if labor or materials become too expensive here in the United States? Despite the move toward rejuvenating the manufacturing-based economy in the United States by the current Administration, people will follow the money and go elsewhere, whether it be dental work, hair transplants, or… manufactured housing. With the high cost of home construction, more Americans are becoming curious about working with Chinese suppliers on their renovations. The price of home construction materials in the United States increased by 3 percent from last year, according to the National Association
POS, Retention Tools, Consumer Direct Workshop and Shows; Construction Psychology; Data on Tap
What happens if labor or materials become too expensive here in the United States? Despite the move toward rejuvenating the manufacturing-based economy in the United States by the current Administration, people will follow the money and go elsewhere, whether it be dental work, hair transplants, or… manufactured housing. With the high cost of home construction, more Americans are becoming curious about working with Chinese suppliers on their renovations. The price of home construction materials in the United States increased by 3 percent from last year, according to the National Association
27th April, 26
Minimal Change Despite Lack of Progress in Peace Talks
The word of the day is "stalled." You can't get far reading top news stories over the weekend without seeing it in reference to the negotiations that looked at least somewhat possible on Friday afternoon. At that time, official word was that Witkoff/Kushner were heading to Pakistan on Saturday morning to meet with Iran's FM Araghchi, but the US contingent never made the trek. Now this morning there are additional reports that a resumption of military operations is being considered. One would think this would make for a big hit to financial markets, but oil prices and bond yields are only
Minimal Change Despite Lack of Progress in Peace Talks
The word of the day is "stalled." You can't get far reading top news stories over the weekend without seeing it in reference to the negotiations that looked at least somewhat possible on Friday afternoon. At that time, official word was that Witkoff/Kushner were heading to Pakistan on Saturday morning to meet with Iran's FM Araghchi, but the US contingent never made the trek. Now this morning there are additional reports that a resumption of military operations is being considered. One would think this would make for a big hit to financial markets, but oil prices and bond yields are only
24th April, 26
Bonds Finally Trade Something Other Than The War
Similar Volatility But in a Friendlier Direction The bond market saw a roughly identical amount of volatility on each of the last 2 days of the week, but Friday's version played out in a friendlier direction. Headlines suggested improved prospects of peace negotiations over the weekend. While there is no scheduled talk with the US and Iran, high level reps from both sides are currently--or soon will be--in Pakistan. But the war headlines only get part of the credit. Bonds also got a boost from news that the DOJ dropped its case against Powell, thus paving the way for a Warsh confirmation. In
Bonds Finally Trade Something Other Than The War
Similar Volatility But in a Friendlier Direction The bond market saw a roughly identical amount of volatility on each of the last 2 days of the week, but Friday's version played out in a friendlier direction. Headlines suggested improved prospects of peace negotiations over the weekend. While there is no scheduled talk with the US and Iran, high level reps from both sides are currently--or soon will be--in Pakistan. But the war headlines only get part of the credit. Bonds also got a boost from news that the DOJ dropped its case against Powell, thus paving the way for a Warsh confirmation. In
24th April, 26
Rates End Week Close Enough to Recent Lows
With zero change versus Thursday's latest levels, the 30yr fixed mortgage rate index maintained a 0.03% range for the entire week (and 0.04% going back to last Tuesday). At 6.32%, today's mark is close enough to Friday's 6.29% to say rates are hovering at the lowest levels in more than a month. The sideways drift reflects uncertainty surrounding the next phase in the Iran war. Prospects for negotiations were called into question for most of the week, but improved somewhat on Friday. A successful end to the war would likely bring some additional improvement for rates, but the true test would be
Rates End Week Close Enough to Recent Lows
With zero change versus Thursday's latest levels, the 30yr fixed mortgage rate index maintained a 0.03% range for the entire week (and 0.04% going back to last Tuesday). At 6.32%, today's mark is close enough to Friday's 6.29% to say rates are hovering at the lowest levels in more than a month. The sideways drift reflects uncertainty surrounding the next phase in the Iran war. Prospects for negotiations were called into question for most of the week, but improved somewhat on Friday. A successful end to the war would likely bring some additional improvement for rates, but the true test would be
24th April, 26
Same Old Story For Pending Home Sales
Short version: The Pending Home Sales Index remains in the same low, narrow, sideways range that's been intact for 3 years. The good news is that there's been a reliable floor. The bad news is that the top of the range lines up with the historic lows seen in 2010 (April 2020 notwithstanding). Longer version: Pending home sales moved modestly higher in March, breaking from recent softness but remaining within a relatively subdued range. The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) increased 1.5% month over month while declining 1.1% compared with the same time
Same Old Story For Pending Home Sales
Short version: The Pending Home Sales Index remains in the same low, narrow, sideways range that's been intact for 3 years. The good news is that there's been a reliable floor. The bad news is that the top of the range lines up with the historic lows seen in 2010 (April 2020 notwithstanding). Longer version: Pending home sales moved modestly higher in March, breaking from recent softness but remaining within a relatively subdued range. The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) increased 1.5% month over month while declining 1.1% compared with the same time
24th April, 26
Strong Purchase Demand Drives Solid Week For Mortgage Applications
Mortgage applications surged last week, posting a strong rebound as declining rates and improving market sentiment drove broad-based gains. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 7.9% increase on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 17. Both refinance and purchase activity contributed to the increase, with the Refinance Index rising 6% from the previous week and standing 52% higher than one year ago. Purchase applications showed even stronger momentum, climbing 10% week over week and up 14% on an annual basis — a notable shift after recent softness. The
Strong Purchase Demand Drives Solid Week For Mortgage Applications
Mortgage applications surged last week, posting a strong rebound as declining rates and improving market sentiment drove broad-based gains. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported a 7.9% increase on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 17. Both refinance and purchase activity contributed to the increase, with the Refinance Index rising 6% from the previous week and standing 52% higher than one year ago. Purchase applications showed even stronger momentum, climbing 10% week over week and up 14% on an annual basis — a notable shift after recent softness. The
24th April, 26
Retention, HELOC, Digitization, Secondary Platform, CRA Products; Lottery Psychology; FHA Delinquencies
Lender and Broker Products and Services Two established names in mortgage verification. One national CRA built to serve how lenders actually operate. Advantage Partners Solutions brings together the experience of Advantage Credit and Partners Credit and Verification Solutions into a single, unified partnership. Here's how it works: clients access credit reporting through Credit Interlink, our in-house platform, or MeridianLink Mortgage Credit Link. You pick whichever fits your LOS and your team keeps moving. We support both with the same people and with the same level of service. Our platform
Retention, HELOC, Digitization, Secondary Platform, CRA Products; Lottery Psychology; FHA Delinquencies
Lender and Broker Products and Services Two established names in mortgage verification. One national CRA built to serve how lenders actually operate. Advantage Partners Solutions brings together the experience of Advantage Credit and Partners Credit and Verification Solutions into a single, unified partnership. Here's how it works: clients access credit reporting through Credit Interlink, our in-house platform, or MeridianLink Mortgage Credit Link. You pick whichever fits your LOS and your team keeps moving. We support both with the same people and with the same level of service. Our platform
24th April, 26
War Headline Waiting Game is The Only Game in Town
Markets were largely flat overnight but volatility picked up just after 7am ET after headlines suggested US/Iran negotiations could resume as early as today. That was good for almost a $4 drop in oil and a 3bp drop in 10yr yields. Roughly half of that improvement was erased just over an hour later when additional news reiterated yesterday's contentious claim that Iran was attempting to replace its lead negotiator. There is no big ticket data on tap. The war headline waiting game is the only game in town
War Headline Waiting Game is The Only Game in Town
Markets were largely flat overnight but volatility picked up just after 7am ET after headlines suggested US/Iran negotiations could resume as early as today. That was good for almost a $4 drop in oil and a 3bp drop in 10yr yields. Roughly half of that improvement was erased just over an hour later when additional news reiterated yesterday's contentious claim that Iran was attempting to replace its lead negotiator. There is no big ticket data on tap. The war headline waiting game is the only game in town
23rd April, 26
Volatility Picked Up Despite Lackluster News Quality
Volatility Picked Up Despite Lackluster News Quality It's not exactly a new problem, but the issue of incorrect or misconstrued headlines is growing larger as the Iran war persists. It makes sense considering the current lull in both military and diplomatic developments. People who write and profit from breaking newswires are eager to cash in on clicks and dollars. Around 1pm ET today, several newswires created obvious volatility for bonds/oil/stocks. These involved an apparent resignation of a key Iranian official from the negotiations team and the implication that Tehran's activated air
Volatility Picked Up Despite Lackluster News Quality
Volatility Picked Up Despite Lackluster News Quality It's not exactly a new problem, but the issue of incorrect or misconstrued headlines is growing larger as the Iran war persists. It makes sense considering the current lull in both military and diplomatic developments. People who write and profit from breaking newswires are eager to cash in on clicks and dollars. Around 1pm ET today, several newswires created obvious volatility for bonds/oil/stocks. These involved an apparent resignation of a key Iranian official from the negotiations team and the implication that Tehran's activated air