Latest news
27th May, 26
In a Shocking Twist, Bonds Relive Another Groundhog Day
In a Shocking Twist, Bonds Relive Another Groundhog Day The present week began on a stronger note thanks to news that came out on Monday regarding a U.S./Iran peace deal being within reach. This time around, it was the fact that Iran's state TV shared a draft of the framework for the memo that serves as the stop-gap peace deal while full details are negotiated. It turns out that this draft wasn't obviously different from the one referenced on Monday, but markets remain cautiously willing to react to the same repackaged news time and again as if repetition increases the chance that the
In a Shocking Twist, Bonds Relive Another Groundhog Day
In a Shocking Twist, Bonds Relive Another Groundhog Day The present week began on a stronger note thanks to news that came out on Monday regarding a U.S./Iran peace deal being within reach. This time around, it was the fact that Iran's state TV shared a draft of the framework for the memo that serves as the stop-gap peace deal while full details are negotiated. It turns out that this draft wasn't obviously different from the one referenced on Monday, but markets remain cautiously willing to react to the same repackaged news time and again as if repetition increases the chance that the
27th May, 26
Mortgage Rates Hold Lowest Level in Nearly 2 Weeks
Early in the trading session, the bond market began improving in response to more updates on a potential Iran peace deal. When bonds improve, rates fall, but the initial reaction proved short-lived. Thankfully, the reversal didn't do any new damage. This allowed the average lender to keep rates right in line with yesterday's 6.61% for a top-tier 30 year fixed. You'd have to go back to May 14th to see anything lower
Mortgage Rates Hold Lowest Level in Nearly 2 Weeks
Early in the trading session, the bond market began improving in response to more updates on a potential Iran peace deal. When bonds improve, rates fall, but the initial reaction proved short-lived. Thankfully, the reversal didn't do any new damage. This allowed the average lender to keep rates right in line with yesterday's 6.61% for a top-tier 30 year fixed. You'd have to go back to May 14th to see anything lower
27th May, 26
AI Leveraging, Lead Engagement, Servicing, Compliance Tools; Non-Agency Product News
How ‘bout this one: A firefighter went to the college graduation ceremony for a baby he helped deliver many years ago. Loan originators can be involved in many life events of their clients as well, as the months and years roll on, something that a software program can’t do. They’re also in a great position to explain the nuances of the summer home buying season to clients. They know that rates aren’t the only thing making homes unaffordable. The median home price rose from $274,900 in Q4 2019 to $414,900 in Q4 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors. That has affected
AI Leveraging, Lead Engagement, Servicing, Compliance Tools; Non-Agency Product News
How ‘bout this one: A firefighter went to the college graduation ceremony for a baby he helped deliver many years ago. Loan originators can be involved in many life events of their clients as well, as the months and years roll on, something that a software program can’t do. They’re also in a great position to explain the nuances of the summer home buying season to clients. They know that rates aren’t the only thing making homes unaffordable. The median home price rose from $274,900 in Q4 2019 to $414,900 in Q4 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors. That has affected
27th May, 26
Stronger Start on Yet Another Peace Deal Headline
It seems that we've seen slight variations on the same peace deal news for the past several days. That's probably because there is an actual peace deal that's probably near the actual finish line and that's probably why the market is actually willing to trade it. This morning's headlines were as simple as any recent example: Iran's state TV obtained a draft of the peace framework with the key inclusion being a commitment to restoring commercial traffic through Hormuz within one month. Bond yields dropped about 2bps on the news and MBS rallied about an eighth of a point--fairly tame, but
Stronger Start on Yet Another Peace Deal Headline
It seems that we've seen slight variations on the same peace deal news for the past several days. That's probably because there is an actual peace deal that's probably near the actual finish line and that's probably why the market is actually willing to trade it. This morning's headlines were as simple as any recent example: Iran's state TV obtained a draft of the peace framework with the key inclusion being a commitment to restoring commercial traffic through Hormuz within one month. Bond yields dropped about 2bps on the news and MBS rallied about an eighth of a point--fairly tame, but
26th May, 26
Good Reminder That The Market Gets to Decide What Matters
Good Reminder That The Market Gets to Decide What Matters If oil, Treasuries, stocks, and the rest of the market were completely closed, and if we could only estimate the probable impact of the news that's been available over the past 3 days, it would be hard to make that case that bond yields should be any lower than they were on Friday. In fact, some of the newswires (the ones citing various military clashes) might lead one to suspect yields should be higher. But here we are with 10s down more than 6bps and MBS up almost half a point just after 3pm ET--a good reminder that the market gets to
Good Reminder That The Market Gets to Decide What Matters
Good Reminder That The Market Gets to Decide What Matters If oil, Treasuries, stocks, and the rest of the market were completely closed, and if we could only estimate the probable impact of the news that's been available over the past 3 days, it would be hard to make that case that bond yields should be any lower than they were on Friday. In fact, some of the newswires (the ones citing various military clashes) might lead one to suspect yields should be higher. But here we are with 10s down more than 6bps and MBS up almost half a point just after 3pm ET--a good reminder that the market gets to
26th May, 26
Mortgage Rates Move Moderately Lower
Although mortgage rates are still relatively close to their highest levels in 9 months, they continue moving lower after hitting those highs as the beginning of last week. Today's improvement follows news over the weekend that the U.S. and Iran are even closer to agreeing on a framework that would end the war. The war remains a key source of volatility for rates and other financial markets. In general, escalation and/or delays in the peace process are bad for rates. De-escalation and improved peace prospects are good for rates. While none of the news of the past 48 hours guarantees a speedy
Mortgage Rates Move Moderately Lower
Although mortgage rates are still relatively close to their highest levels in 9 months, they continue moving lower after hitting those highs as the beginning of last week. Today's improvement follows news over the weekend that the U.S. and Iran are even closer to agreeing on a framework that would end the war. The war remains a key source of volatility for rates and other financial markets. In general, escalation and/or delays in the peace process are bad for rates. De-escalation and improved peace prospects are good for rates. While none of the news of the past 48 hours guarantees a speedy
26th May, 26
HELOC, HOA Lien Monitoring, AI, Developer Platform Tools; Webinars and Training
The gap between where rates are and where households “need them to be” is suppressing labor mobility, distorting retirement decisions, and reshaping expectations about generational wealth building: 56 percent of working Americans have either turned down a job requiring relocation or say they would, and 20 percent have already turned down a job, promotion, or career opportunity because it required moving. LOs will tell you that the attachment to low rates is behavioral, not just financial. Polls show that the majority of homeowners with mortgages would consider moving if they could transfer
HELOC, HOA Lien Monitoring, AI, Developer Platform Tools; Webinars and Training
The gap between where rates are and where households “need them to be” is suppressing labor mobility, distorting retirement decisions, and reshaping expectations about generational wealth building: 56 percent of working Americans have either turned down a job requiring relocation or say they would, and 20 percent have already turned down a job, promotion, or career opportunity because it required moving. LOs will tell you that the attachment to low rates is behavioral, not just financial. Polls show that the majority of homeowners with mortgages would consider moving if they could transfer
26th May, 26
Much Stronger Start as Peace Deal Expectations Improve
On Sunday evening, the NYT ran a story that the U.S. and Iran had agreed in principle to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key distinction versus previous rumors/reports is that the issue of nuclear material is being left as "TBD." Subsequent headlines mentioned several military strikes, but the market didn't react (it's been fairly common to see those sorts of "yeah but" headlines immediately following potential breakthroughs toward peace). Market reaction is the best judge of headline credibility and the reaction is clear. Oil dropped about $5/bbl and 10yr yields are staring
Much Stronger Start as Peace Deal Expectations Improve
On Sunday evening, the NYT ran a story that the U.S. and Iran had agreed in principle to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The key distinction versus previous rumors/reports is that the issue of nuclear material is being left as "TBD." Subsequent headlines mentioned several military strikes, but the market didn't react (it's been fairly common to see those sorts of "yeah but" headlines immediately following potential breakthroughs toward peace). Market reaction is the best judge of headline credibility and the reaction is clear. Oil dropped about $5/bbl and 10yr yields are staring
22nd May, 26
Bonds Scratch Out a Win Amid Dueling Headlines
Bonds Scratch Out a Win Amid Dueling Headlines Bonds remain surprisingly willing to react to the most seemingly insignificant war-related headlines. Today it was the much-debated geographical location of Pakistan's lead negotiator, Asim Munir, that set the tone. Bonds rallied on early accounts that he was en route to Tehran and pulled back when other headlines suggested he never left Pakistan. Ultimately, yields trickled just barely into positive territory by the end of the holiday-shortened session. Monday is fully closed for Memorial Day and we're back to watching the news feed on Tuesday.
Bonds Scratch Out a Win Amid Dueling Headlines
Bonds Scratch Out a Win Amid Dueling Headlines Bonds remain surprisingly willing to react to the most seemingly insignificant war-related headlines. Today it was the much-debated geographical location of Pakistan's lead negotiator, Asim Munir, that set the tone. Bonds rallied on early accounts that he was en route to Tehran and pulled back when other headlines suggested he never left Pakistan. Ultimately, yields trickled just barely into positive territory by the end of the holiday-shortened session. Monday is fully closed for Memorial Day and we're back to watching the news feed on Tuesday.
22nd May, 26
Mortgage Rates End Week Roughly Unchanged
Mortgage lenders rely on the bond market to generate mortgage rates. In addition to being fully closed on Monday for Memorial Day, bonds also close 3 hours earlier than normal on the preceding Friday (i.e. today). The abbreviated trading session was fairly uneventful for rates despite some back-and-forth volatility in response to diplomacy headlines surrounding Iran/US peace negotiations. The flow of news resulted in better bond market levels early in the day and a pull-back in the late AM hours. After accounting for some lenders' mid-day rate changes, the average lender ended the day right in
Mortgage Rates End Week Roughly Unchanged
Mortgage lenders rely on the bond market to generate mortgage rates. In addition to being fully closed on Monday for Memorial Day, bonds also close 3 hours earlier than normal on the preceding Friday (i.e. today). The abbreviated trading session was fairly uneventful for rates despite some back-and-forth volatility in response to diplomacy headlines surrounding Iran/US peace negotiations. The flow of news resulted in better bond market levels early in the day and a pull-back in the late AM hours. After accounting for some lenders' mid-day rate changes, the average lender ended the day right in