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Author Archives: Aly J. Yale

Aly J. Yale is a longtime writer and editor from Texas. Her resume boasts positions with The Dallas Morning News, NBC, PBS, and various other regional and national publications. She has also worked with both the Five Star Institute and REO Red Book, as well as various other mortgage industry clients on content strategy, blogging, marketing, and more.

Summer’s Not Just for Sellers

New data shows that August is the best time for homebuyers. According to recent analysis, housing inventory is up significantly by the end of summer, causing many sellers to reduce their listing price. In fact, buyers who wait until late summer may actually pay less than if they’d bought during other times of the year.

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Mortgage Rates Steady Amidst FOMC Meeting

Mortgage rates remained fairly steady this week, even as the Financial Open Market Committee met to discuss potential hikes in the federal funds rate. These low rates may not stay for long, however. Reports found that the rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has stayed flat, but experts noted that the Fed's "half-full" economic outlook may mean rates will rise again at some point this year.

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Fed Keeps Rate As-is Amid Economic Optimism

Despite sluggish economic growth in Q1 and the widely held assumption that the Fed would raise rates at least two more times this year, the Federal Open Market Committee opted to keep the federal funds rate as is at its May meeting. Raised in March, the rate currently sits at 1 percent. The Committee cited job gains and lower unemployment as factors in its decision.

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St. Louis, Milwaukee Top Millennial Housing Lists

According to recent data, St. Louis is the ideal spot for millennial homebuyers, boasting a short commute time and good local schools. Parts of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took the No. 2 and 3 spots, while Milwaukee was deemed the best place for millennial renters.

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Freddie Mac Sees Decline, Pays $2.2B to Treasury

According to the enterprise’s recent financial results, Freddie Mac posted a net income of $2.2 billion for Q1 and will pay as much in dividends to the U.S. Treasury. The income is lower than Q4 2016, as are the agency’s single-family revenues, purchase volumes, and mortgage-related investments. Freddie attributed these declines to largely steady interest rates and low market spreads.

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Battle Breaks Out in CHOICE Hearing No. 2

The House Financial Services Committee held a second hearing on the Financial CHOICE Act on Tuesday. Intended to be a replacement for Dodd-Frank, the CHOICE Act aims to increase regulator accountability, discourage financial fraud and insider trading, and ensure taxpayers aren't on the hook for big bank bailouts. The Act was introduced by Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas).

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Ocwen Gets Good News; Shares Spike

Ocwen's shares are finally starting to recover since the CFPB and 21 states filed suit against it last month. Following an announcement that New Residential Corporation will acquire Ocwen's mortgage servicing rights, the company's stock rose 46 percent at one point, reaching $3.32 at its highest. Ocwen's shares had dropped more than 50 percent after April's legal allegations.

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Business Analysts Scarce, But Necessary for Lenders

A new report suggests that business analysts play a vital role in lender success. But finding mortgage-savvy ones? That’s not always easy. Lenders should take action to develop BA candidates internally for best results. / According to a new report, business analysts are crucial to a lender’s success. But a “dearth” in the industry makes mortgage-savvy BA candidates hard to find. In most cases, developing BAs internally is the best course of action for a lender.

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Mnuchin: GSEs Won’t Stay ‘As-is’ for Long

In an interview with Fox Business on Monday, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said he is committed to GSE reform—and that it might not include privatizing Fannie or Freddie. The main goal of the Trump administration, according to Mnuchin, is to provide "ample credit for housing" without putting taxpayers at risk. On the fate of the GSE's, Mnuchin said, "We’re committed to not leaving them as-is for the next four years." Mnuchin also discussed the Freedom of Information Act allowed GSE funds to be relocated toward other parts of the government—including the Affordable Care Act—without public knowledge.

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Most Renters Can Buy Without Monthly Increase

The average American renter can now purchase a home more expensive than the nation’s median home value, while keeping their monthly housing budget the same. This was true in 37 out of 50 markets analyzed. The current national median rent is $1,416 per month—just enough to handle the monthly costs of a property valued at $289,505, including property taxes, maintenance, and insurance payments.

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