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- Zillow Group names Jeremy Wacksman as new CEO
Zillow Group names Jeremy Wacksman as new CEO
Plus: Mortgage credit availability increased in July
🗓️ Good morning! The weekend is here. Today’s newsletter is 669 words, 3 minutes.
Disclaimer: Average mortgage rates as of August 8, 2024. © MND Daily Rate Index.
1. Mortgage rates decrease to lowest level in a year
Freddie Mac yesterday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.47%. That rate mark the lowest level in a year.
That's down from last week when it averaged 6.73%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.96%.
The 15-year FRM averaged 5.63%, down from last week when it averaged 5.99%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.34%.
“Mortgage rates plunged this week to their lowest level in over a year, following the likely overreaction to a less than favorable employment report and financial market turbulence for an economy that remains on solid footing"
2. Refi activity picks up to the highest level in two years
The recent pullback in mortgage rates is spurring more homeowners to refinance their home loan and lower their monthly payments.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s refinance index, which tracks home loan application volume, surged 16% last week from the previous week to its highest level in two years, the association said Wednesday.
Refinance applications were up nearly 60% versus the same week last year.
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3. More Nuggets
🃏 How a high-yield lender fell apart in alleged Ponzi scheme. (The Real Deal)
😬 Frustration is evident in consumer housing sentiment. Only 17% say it’s a 'Good Time' to buy. (Fannie Mae)
👀 UWM sells MSRs, invests in origination to prep for a refi wave. (HousingWire)
📰 CHLA co-founder and first president passes away. (CHLA)
🧑⚖️ Victims awarded $12M in flipper scheme repped by HGTV stars. (MSN)
🚨 COACH’S CORNER
Find the Right LOA! Tune in for my honest story on how much $$$$ I lost finding the right LOA. And it was worth it! (Video)
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4. Mortgage credit availability increased in July
Mortgage credit availability increased in July according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the MBA that analyzes data from ICE.
The MCAI rose by 3.3 percent to 98.1 in July. A decline in the MCAI indicates tightening lending standards, while an increase suggests loosening credit. The index was benchmarked to 100 in March 2012.
Conventional MCAI increased by 6.4 percent. Of the component indices of the Conventional MCAI, the Jumbo MCAI increased by 9.3 percent, and the Conforming MCAI rose by 0.7 percent.
Government MCAI decreased by 0.1 percent.
“Overall credit availability grew to its highest level since October 2023, driven by increased conventional loan offerings such as ARMs and cash-out refinance loans”
5. Zillow Group names Jeremy Wacksman as new CEO
Seattle-based Zillow appointed a new CEO on Wednesday, bringing a new face to the top job as the housing market continues to lag amid high mortgage rates.
The real estate listing site promoted Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Wacksman to replace co-founder Rich Barton as CEO. The change is effective immediately, the company said.
Rich Barton (ex-CEO) said in a statement that he “could not be more confident in Jeremy as CEO, in the caliber of the broader team, and in Zillow’s bright future.”
☀️ You’re all caught up. See you on Monday!
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