Mortgages

Although posting lower volume than in the fourth quarter, all six active underwriters remained profitable, even with borrowers facing economic turbulence.

Alongside a bill that gives homeowners a year of forbearance after state-declared emergencies, lawmakers will consider extending wildfire-related moratoriums.

Nearly half of respondents say if these payments rise, it would make it difficult to meet their mortgage obligations, according to The Zebra.

Sheer luck kept all but one hurricane from U.S. shores in 2025; one landfall in 2026 could devastate servicers.

"Wildfire risk is not just an occasional catastrophe, but a recurring cost embedded in the state's economy," said the report issued this week by the California Earthquake Authority.

The FHFA's ACV condo insurance rollback gets the balance right between affordability and safety, even if politics muddied the waters, the chairman of Whalen Global Advisors writes.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's single-family updates include some roof coverage options somewhat similar to what's used in one of their other divisions.

The average annual premium is projected to increase 4% to about $3,057 this year, after jumping 12% in 2025, according to Insurify, an online insurance comparison site.

Many homeowners and first-time buyers are surprised by rising property taxes and insurance, which can sharply increase monthly mortgage costs beyond principal and interest.

The letter claims the flood insurance premium pricing change has made the product unaffordable, resulting in a large drop off in the number of policies.

Rates actually declined or remained flat over a two-year period in 15 states, including Florida, with natural disasters and tariffs affecting 2026's movements.

A mortgage insurance premium deduction in Maine would come after the reintroduction of a similar federal policy, which took effect with the 2026 tax year.

The impact of extreme weather remains top of mind for many, with a majority of homeowners citing it as a factor behind purchase or relocation considerations.

In a world assailed by extreme weather, homeowners and purchasers need to know their property's vulnerability to wildfire or flooding. Ratings like those Zillow took down are a big improvement on often outdated federal flood maps and state wildfire maps. 

Flood Quotes and the Flood Insurance Portal allows users to compare quotes and purchase policies directly through the platforms.

The average premium increase is 64% or $600 a year more, and in some states the rate would go up by more than $1,000, the comparison shopping platform found.

The average loss from the two categories is almost seven times higher than the mean amount for all other types, according to research from ALTA and Milliman.

While all six companies were profitable in the third quarter, most had earnings which were down from the prior periods, with MGIC setting a milestone.

Of the 15 states most affected by natural disasters, California and Florida had the highest non-renewal rates in 2024, a Weiss Ratings study found.

This is the second acquisition deal Old Republic has been involved in this year, after selling its title production business in January.