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By Jann Swanson Posted To: MND NewsWire It was a disappointment, but at least it wasn’t a loss. Existing home sales, which were expected to increase in August after four straight months of declines instead remained unchanged from July. In fact, almost the entire report on August’s existing home sales can be summarized by the word, “flat.” Said sales of …

By Rob Chrisman Posted To: Pipeline Press This Saturday is the autumn equinox – season-wise, we know what is on the way. “Rob, we, like everyone else, are watching the approaching winter, and higher rates, and wondering if there are ways to improve our financial picture without laying people off or cutting LO comp. Heard of anything?” This is going …

By Matthew Graham Posted To: MBS Commentary One of the themes we often revisit in times of trouble is the long-term bull market in bonds. This traces back to the 80’s and provides a shockingly linear set of lower highs and lower lows in 10yr yields. Most recently, we’ve seen yields rise back to the upper boundary of the long-term …

By Jann Swanson Posted To: MND NewsWire The share of loans originated for refinancing rose in August for the first time this year. Ellie Mae’s Origination Insight Report shows that closed transactions for refinancing represented 32 percent of the total, up 3 percentage points from July. The 3-point increase was consistent across all loan types. The refinancing share was 45 …

By Matthew Graham Posted To: MBS Commentary The titular question could be taken two ways . Is the selling pressure in bonds over? Is the “low rate environment” that’s been in effect since mid-2011 over? The answers, in order are “probably not” and “for now.” To be fair to the “low rate environment,” that’s arguably been over since 10yr yields …

By Matthew Graham Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch Mortgage rates are in bad shape . At some point in the past 3 days (depends on the lender), top tier 30yr fixed rate offerings hit their highest level in 5 years, then 7 years. For the first time since 2011, the most prevalent top tier rate is 4.875% (meaning a handful …

At the 2018 Appraisal Institute (AI) conference in Nashville, former AI president and current litigation appraiser M. Lance Coyle addressed the audience on several legal maneuvers. Coyle told appraisers what they should be aware of when on assignment. Valuation Review was in attendance and continues its story on Coyle’s presentation. Read Part II to find out more information. Via:: Litigation …

The Appraisal Institute (AI) unveiled an information system that classifies and describes property uses. AI also detailed how this will assist real estate analysts and others with their property use data storage and analysis. Read on to find out more about this system and hear what the AI president had to say. Via:: AI unveils ‘Property Use Classification System’