We test for pricing disparities in mortgage contracts using a novel dataset that allows us to observe the race and ethnicity of both parties to the loan. We find that minorities pay between three and five percent more in fees than similarly qualified whites when obtaining a loan through the same...

This appendix contains six sections. The first section compares our sample to the broader subprime mortgage market. The second section describes our algorithm for inferring broker race and ethnicity. The third section considers rejection and funding uncertainty as potential explanations for...

We examine the role of borrower concerns about future credit availability in mitigating the effects of adverse selection and income misrepresentation in the mortgage market. We show that the majority of additional risk associated with "low-doc'' mortgages originated prior to the Great Recession...

This paper examines the relation between mortgage origination fees and mortgage broker competition. A reverse first-price sealed-bid auction model is used to motivate pricing behavior by brokers. Confirming the model predictions, our empirical analysis shows that increased mortgage brokerage...

Following concerns about undervaluation of minority-owned homes, we examine the incidence of racial appraisal bias using a nationwide sample of refinanced mortgages from 2000 to 2007. A unique feature of our data is that they allow us to observe the race of the both the homeowner and the...

This paper examines the dynamics between mortgage broker competition, origination fees, and price transparency. A reverse first-price sealed-bid auction model is used to motivate broker pricing behavior. Confirming the model predictions, our empirical analysis shows that increased mortgage...

This paper examines the dynamics between mortgage broker competition, origination fees, and price transparency. A reverse first-price sealed-bid auction model is used to motivate broker pricing behavior. Confirming the model predictions, our empirical analysis shows that increased mortgage...