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Webcasts, UAD 3.6, Compliance, Digital HELOC, MSR Valuation Tools; Rates Quiet

8/25/2026 10:52 AM

Zillow and Redfin settled their FTC antitrust case, as we figured they would, and certainly technology was involved. With the increase in artificial intelligence, many teachers have gone back to having all writing done in classes, handwritten, or with an electric typewriter. Would parents rather have their child learning something in class from the...Read More

Oil Down, Yields Down

8/25/2026 9:06 AM

No point in wasting time/words on analysis when cause and effect remains so simple. After news regarding potential progress is peace negotiations, an overnight drop in oil prices coincided perfectly with a drop in Treasury yields. The end. ...Read More

Tune Out The Noise (Part 2)

8/24/2026 3:56 PM

Tune Out The Noise (Part 2) Last week, when Treasury announced higher per-operation limits for the buyback program, we advised tuning out the noise. Specifically, this meant that the announcement was not ever destined to be a material market mover or provide lasting relief for rates despite ample media cove...Read More

Mortgage Rates Sideways to Slightly Higher

8/24/2026 2:59 PM

Mortgage rates are based on bonds, but whereas bonds improved slightly from Friday"s levels, mortgage rates are microscopically higher for the average lender. The issue is timing. Mortgage lenders set rates last Friday during a time of day when bonds were at their best levels. In other words, today"s improvement is only an improvement relative to ...Read More

Borrower Analysis, 1st Lien HELOC, Ginnie eNote Products; Webcasts Approaching; NEXA/UMortgage Deal

8/24/2026 10:47 AM

“People make their wealth out of one investment. People keep their wealth by diversifying their investments.” Owning mortgage servicing rights has created wealth for many companies, and STRATMOR’s current blog is, “Those Monthly Payments Go Somewhere.” I am glad that all my 401(k) isn’t in Agency shares: Fannie Mae’s stock is down 42 percent this y...Read More

Slightly Stronger Start Mostly Due to Oil. Treasury News Fails to Inspire (Again)

8/24/2026 10:13 AM

Once again, Treasury is out with news about bond buying plans with two officials saying the Treasury General Account (TGA) could be used to fund long-end buybacks. TGA is Treasury"s bank account. It gets money from taxes, Treasury issuance, tariffs, etc. Therefore, any way you slice it, Treasury bond buying = government spending, unlike Fed QE. At ...Read More

Incidental Weakness. Bigger Considerations on The Horizon

8/21/2026 2:36 PM

Incidental Weakness. Bigger Considerations on The Horizon Without any data or compelling market movers, bonds came into the day light on inspiration. Low volume/liquidity left the door open for any determined traders to have a bigger-than-normal influence on the market. That arguably happened between 9...Read More

Mortgage Rates Drift Modestly Higher

8/21/2026 1:35 PM

For all practical purposes, Friday"s mortgage rates were unchanged versus Thursday"s, but if we"re splitting hairs, the average lender rose 0.01% to 6.77% for a top tier 30yr fixed.  While many news outlets continue focusing on the mid-week announcement regarding Treasury"s bond buyback program, today"s bond market volatility was unrelated. C...Read More

Housing Starts Drop in July as Permits Point to Stronger Future Activity

8/21/2026 1:21 PM

Residential construction pulled back in July as housing starts and completions declined from June levels, while building permits rebounded. The latest Census Bureau data suggests builders remained cautious about active construction, even as the increase in permits pointed to somewhat stronger activity ahead. Privately owned housing starts fell 12...Read More

Pending Home Sales Slip 2.3% in July

8/21/2026 1:14 PM

Pending home sales declined again in July as elevated mortgage rates and record-high home prices continued to weigh on buyer demand. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), which tracks signed contracts on existing homes, fell 2.3% from June and was down 2.2% from a year earlier, reaching its lowest level si...Read More

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