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Lenders: Looking to simplify closings? Work with an insurance agency

Housing Wire

HousingWire recently spoke to Tom Kriby, vice president of client development and partnerships at Westwood Insurance Agency, about how working with an insurance agency can simplify the closing process for their customers, even in times of interest rate uncertainty. Take insurance, for example.

Insurance 365
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FAR parent updates investors on AAG integration, business performance

Housing Wire

The company also provides commentary for its fourth quarter 2023 financial performance, assesses its market advantages and offers an assessment of impacts stemming from changes in Ginnie Mae ’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)-backed Securities (HMBS) program.

Business 377
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Renovation loans get pandemic boost as homeowners want home offices

Housing Wire

There’s a mainstay in mortgage finance poised to help in working from home. The Federal Housing Administration’s 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage insurance program is designed for borrowers to renovate when they purchase or refinance. It allows for actual home improvements to complement contemporary lifestyles.

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How to gain a competitive edge through in-house servicing

Housing Wire

Analysts in the mortgage industry are projecting that 2024 will be a better year than 2023 across the board. In a HousingWire report , analyst firm Jeffries said that they believe the worst of the current mortgage cycle is behind us, and Moody’s forecasts that the Federal Reserve will decrease rates three or four times this year.

Investors 315
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Regions Bank places $1B bet on home renovation market

Housing Wire

Regions Bank is looking to make a big dent in the home improvement lending space , striking a deal to acquire EnerBank USA for $960 million in cash. billion as of March 31, 2021 and is one of America’s largest specialized home improvement lenders. billion in home improvement projects.

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Will new products stop the bleeding for mortgage lenders? 

Housing Wire

But there’s another threat that Homepoint executives must worry about – United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the top dog in wholesale, has embarked on a strategy of heavy price cutting, forcing Homepoint and others to limbo to compete for business. Mortgage executives project that number to remain steady or even tick up in the third quarter.

Mortgage 389
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How retaining servicing provides a competitive advantage

Housing Wire

Managing a profitable mortgage business can be challenging in the best of markets. Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are valuable assets for mortgage lenders when origination business is slow. Servicing retention generates servicing fee income and helps servicers improve the customer experience.