Company News

Last Week in Review: Global Improvement

2019 was an incredible year for Stocks, which finished the final trading week of the year at all-time highs. Generally speaking, when Stocks go higher, so do rates. And that was the case this past week as home loan rates ticked up to the highest levels in months.
So, what was the reason for higher Stocks and higher rates?
Global financial improvement! 2019 was a "tug of war" year between central banks around the globe cutting rates and adding monetary stimulus, and economies attempting to avoid recession.
We are finishing the year with economies winning and showing improved growth and confidence heading into 2020.
What does this mean for rates in the near-term?
If countries around the globe continue to improve, their rates will continue to creep higher. If rates around the globe creep higher, so will ours.
The good news is that because inflation remains extremely low, we should not expect home loan rates to move too high anytime soon.
Bottom line: the U.S. has been and continues to be the global economic leader and moves into 2020 with a Goldilocks backdrop which includes a strong labor market, rising wages, low inflation, and low rates.

Last Week in Review: Goldilocks 2.0

As we enter the final weeks of 2019, the housing and home lending sectors have enjoyed a good year thanks to a "Goldilocks" scenario of a tight labor market, rising wages, consumer confidence, and three-year low interest rates.
Many are asking "What should we expect for housing, and thus lending, as we enter 2020?" The answer: 2020 may even be better for both.
Tailwinds for Housing in 2020 include:

1. Housing starts of single-family homes are expected to hit the 1M mark for the first time in 12 years. This should help add to much-needed inventory in many parts of the country.
2. In the final Jobs Report for 2019, which was November, the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5%, a 50+-year low, while we created a massive 266,000 new jobs. Jobs buy homes, not rates. This kind of labor market strength heading into 2020 should further boost the housing sector.
3. The Fed is not likely going to cut or hike rates in 2020, unless new economic threats emerge – meaning short-term interest rates are not likely to move much, if at all.
4. Inflation remains low. Inflation is the main driver of long-term rates like mortgage rates. In the absence of any unforeseen pickup in inflation, home loan rates should remain relatively close to current levels for the foreseeable future.

Bottom line: 2019 was a good year and the data suggests the good times should continue well into the spring of 2020 making it a historic opportunity to have both a strong economy and low rates.

Last Week in Review: Changes That Could Affect Rates

There are rumors that our Fed is considering an idea to abandon its present 2% target rate for inflation in favor of a floating target where inflation would be allowed to rise above 2% for some time before considering hiking rates.
This comes with two consequences that mortgage lenders, Realtors, and would-be borrowers need to understand:

1. If the Fed allows inflation to rise north of 2% before considering hiking rates, we are not likely to see a Fed rate hike anytime soon. This is because inflation is currently running at 1.6% and well beneath the Fed's current target.
2. If the Fed is successful in allowing inflation to rise, home loan rates will rise as well. Inflation is the main driver of long-term interest rates.

When the Fed says they want inflation to reach its 2% target, they are talking about the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) year-over-year figure.
The Core PCE Index is typically delivered the third week of every month, and will be even more important to track should the Fed make changes to its current policy and decide to allow inflation to rise above its longstanding 2% target.
Bottom line: inflation currently remains tepid and is the major reason why long-term rates, like home loans, remain near three-year lows. If inflation rises, home loan rates will rise. The opposite is also true.

Overview

Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC (CMS) is pleased to announce effective Thursday, December 5, 2019, CMS will introduce the new Carrington Prime Advantage program with Fixed, ARM and Interest-only ARM options. Carrington Prime Advantage allows alternative income documentation along with competitive pricing and loan amounts up to $2,500,000 and is designed for higher-credit-quality, non-agency borrowers who fall between the Carrington Flexible Advantage Plus (CFA+) program and conventional or jumbo loans.
Prime Advantage has the following features:

• Improved Pricing: Pricing is 125-150 basis points more favorable than CFA+
• Higher LTVs: 75% - 90% LTV available depending upon loan amounts (see matrix for details)
• Maximum Cash-out: $1,000,000
• Debt Ratio: Standard 43% and expanded up to 50% (see guidelines for details)
• Occupancy: Primary residence and second homes
• Amortization Types: Fixed, ARM and Interest-only ARM options
• Loan Purpose: Purchase, Rate/Term Refinances and Cash-Out Refinances
• Terms Available: 30 Year Fixed, 5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, 10/1 ARM, 5/1 ARM-IO, 7/1 ARM-IO, and 10/1 ARM-IO
• Doc Types: Full Doc, 1-Year Alt Doc, 12 or 24 Month Bank Statements (Business or Personal) and Asset Depletion
• Rural Properties Eligible: 80% Max LTV

Not available in all states. Refer to the Carrington Prime Advantage Program underwriting matrix and guidelines for additional information.

Last Week in Review: A Great Housing Backdrop
Many are wondering what lies ahead for housing as we enter 2020.
There are many reasons why the U.S. housing sector should do well for the foreseeable future, but here's three main reasons for the bright outlook:

1. Housing Starts are improving. This is especially true for single-family homes, which have risen for five consecutive months. This trend suggests anticipated buying demand.
2. The labor market remains strong. Rates don't buy homes, jobs do. 50+ year low unemployment at 3.6%, coupled with rising wages makes for a wonderful housing backdrop.
3. Low home loan rates for longer than most expect. Rates don't buy homes, but they definitely help more people participate in buying a home. With inflation running beneath the Fed target of 2.00% for the foreseeable future, there should be no upward pressure on home loan rates.

Bottom line: there is no recession in sight. The backdrop for housing is more of a Goldilocks scenario and makes for a wonderful time to purchase a home.

Overview

The Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC (CMS) Lock Desk, will be closed Thursday, November 28, 2019 in observance of Thanksgiving, which is a federal holiday.  Due to the holiday, the Lock Desk will be closing early on Friday, November 29, 2019 at 11:00 AM PST (early market closure of 2:00 PM EST).  Normal Lock Desk hours will resume on Monday, December 2, 2019.
Locks that expire on the holiday will automatically roll to the next business day.  In addition, there are some important disclosure considerations associated with the holiday:

• Thursday, November 28, 2019 cannot be included in the rescission period for refinance transactions.
• Thursday, November 28, 2019 cannot be included in the seven (7) business day waiting period between the date the initial Loan Estimate (LE) was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan
• When re-disclosure of the LE is required, Thursday, November 28, 2019 cannot be included in the four (4) business day waiting period between the date the revised LE was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan.
• When re-disclosure of the CD is required, Thursday, November 28, 2019 cannot be included in the three (3) business day waiting period between the date the revised CD was provided to the borrower and the consummation of the loan.

Issues related to locks should be sent via email to lockdesk@carringtonms.com.

Last Week in Review: The Definition of Goldilocks

"Looking ahead, my colleagues and I see a sustained expansion of economic activity, a strong labor market, and inflation near our symmetric 2% objective as most likely." -- Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, 11/13/2019
This quote from our Fed Chair on Capitol Hill this past week was the definition of a "Goldilocks Economy" and reaffirmed the markets that there is no recession in sight!
Thanks to this strong economic backdrop, Mr. Powell also said it's highly unlikely the Fed will cut rates again in December. Remember, Fed rate cuts don't affect home loan rates, so don't expect a sharp uptick in mortgage rates. Why?
As the Fed's quote states, inflation remains low and near the Fed's target. If inflation moves higher, home loan rates move higher. The opposite is also true.
Bottom line: home loan rates improved from the worst levels of the week and head into mid-November still hovering near three-year lows. What an opportunity when coupled with the Goldilocks backdrop.

Last Week in Review: How Fast Rates Can Change

Right now, the biggest news story to follow is the U.S. and China trade negotiations.
This past week, home loans started inching higher but were "saved" momentarily midweek when reports came out suggesting a delay of a "phase one" trade deal signing. Remember that Bonds and home loan rates like bad news, so a disruption or delay of the trade signing was the reason for rates to improve off the worst levels midweek.
However, come Thursday, word that both the U.S. and China would roll back tariffs as a deal gets put together was very good news which pushed Stocks to all-time highs at the expense of Bonds and home loan rates.
Even with the recent uptick, home loan rates are at the same level they were at back on July 31st when the Fed cut rates for the first time in 10 years. The Fed has since cut rates two more times and home loan rates have not improved any further.
A word of caution: long-term rates like mortgages can move up very fast, and it is in a complacent environment like today when things suddenly change. Using history as an example, the 10-year Note yield has traded at 1.40% or lower on three separate occasions in the past seven years. In the two previous times -- 2012 and 2016 -- the 10-year yield quickly spiked to 3% and 2.75% respectively in just six months. This sharp move higher in yield also weighed on home loans, which also rose sharply.
Bottom line: for those considering a new mortgage, now may be an opportune time before this window closes.

See how uploading conditions has changed

Overview
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC (CMS) is pleased to announce the Lock Desk has re-enabled the Auto-lock functionality. Effective immediately on Wholesale files, all rate lock extensions no longer require a written email request to be sent to the Lock Desk.  Broker Loan Officers now have the ability to submit Lock Extension requests directly in BrokerIQ.  This enhancement automatically approves the extension request with any pricing change for the extension fee. All existing Wholesale Rate Lock policies still apply.
Please note: Already processed manual lock extensions can only be processed through the Lock Desk. To extend a lock that has already been manually extended brokers should email the lock desk at lockdesk@carringtonms.com.

Resources

Refer to the Auto Lock Extension Guide on the BrokerIQ Training Center page for step by step instruction for Broker Loan Officers regarding how to process Auto Lock Extension requests through BrokerIQ.
Refer to the Wholesale Rate Lock Policy for detailed information on pricing and rate locks.