Despite fixed-rate mortgages moving upward to levels last recorded in December 2000, the MBA reports both purchase and refi apps rose week-over-week, the first such increase in over a month.
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Rural America Still Facing Affordability Crisis
According to a recent Redfin study, homebuyers in rural U.S. counties now need to make a higher annual salary than they did before to the pandemic to afford a median-priced home. The post Rural...
Small Investors Dominate as Investor Purchases Hold Steady
Investor buying stayed stable through mid-2025, even as total home sales slowed. Smaller investors are taking a bigger role while large players pull back, with activity concentrated in the South...
Housing Market Outlook 2026: Resets, Risks, and Road to Recovery
From affordability pressures to investor dynamics and the industry’s blind spots, Rick Sharga offers a data-driven look at what will shape housing in 2026. The post Housing Market Outlook 2026:...
Fed Rate Cut in December May Be More Likely as Officials Signal Support
Both New York Fed President John Williams and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly signaled they support a rate cut when The Federal Open Market Committee next votes on rate policy on Dec....
RealPage Agrees to Settle Antitrust Lawsuit With DOJ Over Rent Algorithm
Prosecutors contended the company's algorithm illegally helped landlords drive up prices through the use of confidential data. Under the settlement, RealPage won't have to pay any damages or admit...
U.S. Home Price Growth Slows to ‘Weakest Performance Since Mid-2023’
September’s Case-Shiller data shows decelerating national gains, widespread monthly declines, and sharp weakness across Sun Belt metros as higher mortgage rates cool demand. The post U.S. Home...
Pending Home Sales on the Rise as Lower Rates Unlock Pent-Up Demand
The National Association of Realtors has reported that contract signings increased from September but remain below last year’s levels, reflecting affordability challenges and uneven regional...
MortgagePoint Webinar – The Human Multiplier: Where AI Stops and Expert Ops Begin
Join MortgagePoint, Global Strategic, and Rocktop for an exclusive webinar that will delve into how lenders can move beyond pure AI automation and build “human-in-the-loop” operating models that...
ICE First Look: Mortgage Prepayments Hit 3.5-Year High
Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at ICE said softening mortgage rates have helped push prepayments to the highest point in years. The post ICE First Look: Mortgage...
Government News Roundup: Bessent Talks Recession Risks; FHFA Announces Caps, Loan Limits
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Buyer vs. Investor: Cities Where Each Get the Upper Hand
According to a recent Realtor.com study, first-time homeowners have a significant advantage over investors in large metro regions where the upside for speculative buyers is limited by strict...
Gen Z and Millennials Gain Ground in Homeownership as Market Shifts
“Millennials and Gen Z remind us that, while the journey to homeownership may lengthen, the destination remains the same,” said Sam Williamson, Senior Economist at First American. The post Gen Z...
Jobs Report, Slowing Labor Market Complicate Fed’s December Rate Decision
"Hold or cut, there will likely be multiple dissents," one economist said. The Fed vote could be a close call. The post Jobs Report, Slowing Labor Market Complicate Fed’s December Rate Decision...
Great Financial Crisis: How Two Major Sources of Risk Have Been Contained
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Housing Market Outlook 2026: Moderate Growth Amid Market Crosscurrents
MBA Chief Economist Michael Fratantoni discusses origination volume, rate-path risks, fading lock-in effects, and the shifting labor market’s impact on credit quality. The post Housing Market...
Homebuyer Regret Falls Sharply as Market Slowdown Boosts Confidence
Buyer's remorse is trending downward as the U.S. housing market has recently changed from a fast-paced sellers' market to one that gives home purchasers more breathing room, as many Americans are...
New Home Listings Rise Toward Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to new commentary from Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, improving inventory is a crucial component of a long-term recovery for the nationwide housing market, as...
Mortgage Originations Dip in Q3 Despite Gains in Refis, HELOCs
According to ATTOM's Q3 2025 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report, U.S. mortgage originations fell as mortgage activity eased. The post Mortgage Originations Dip in Q3 Despite...
Housing Market Outlook 2026: Affordability, Rate Lock-In, and the Risks Ahead
First American’s Chief Economist Mark Fleming breaks down affordability trends, life-event-driven demand, geographic price corrections, and the biggest risks shaping 2026. The post Housing Market...
Analysis Shows Cities With Highest Mortgage Delinquency Rates
A new study shows surging delinquency nationwide, with several cities facing the steepest increases amid high housing costs and financial strain. The post Analysis Shows Cities With Highest...