Housing Markets News from National Mortgage News

Economic uncertainty and higher rates in May contributed to the second decline in applications for new homes on an annual basis, reversing March gains

A potential end to the Iran War could lead to economic recovery, suggesting sub-6% rates may be far off as monetary policy discussions take a hawkish tone.

Guidance documents from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network heightening bank scrutiny of individual tax identification numbers in mortgage applications could discourage banks from issuing those kinds of loans.

Active listings reached 1.4 million homes, a 4.3% increase year over year, while sales fell 1.2%, which came in better than expectations, Homes.com said.

The decline in non-owner occupied acquisitions came as sales fell overall due to high mortgage rates and bad winter weather in the Northeast, BatchData said.

Higher mortgage rates and affordability pressure prompts Fitch Rating's revision from 'neutral' to 'deteriorating'

But moderating price growth and friendly building policies in many markets hint at emerging affordability for aspiring buyers, Zillow said.

On a year-over-year comparison, title underwriters produced 15% more premiums in the first quarter, as mortgage rates briefly fell under 6% in February.

AD Mortgage's head of correspondent business development writes that an Iran peace deal sparked bond rallies ahead of Wednesday's FOMC meeting.

The government-sponsored enterprise left its mortgage rate predictions unchanged for 2026 but revised next year's likely average slightly upward.

For the fifth time in the past seven weeks, mortgage rates moved higher, Freddie Mac reported, as consumer prices keep rising due to the Iran conflict.

South and Sunbelt cities, once pandemic seller markets, now favor buyers

Over three-quarters of the Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators panel said the FOMC will ease eventually, but a growing number are now expecting a hike.

Mortgage lock volume fell 5.4% in May as rates climbed, but declining pull-throughs suggest some borrowers are reconsidering loan plans amid ongoing rate volatility, Optimal Blue found.

Approximately 54% of homeowners looked to a second lien product to access their home's stored value in the first quarter due to the "lock-in effect."

More than half of consumers worry about money daily, despite improved budgeting habits and, according to a Ramsey Solutions survey, declining mortgage concerns.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage average not only remains where it was in September, it is still nearly a half-percentage point above February's trough.

The areas cited by Attom Data Solutions all have similar characteristics, namely high unemployment rates and worse foreclosure activity than their peers.

Those who looked to sell their properties during May listed at a price 2.4% lower, as they take into account current conditions instead of being overoptimistic.

Cotality's fraud risk index hit its best mark since 2023, but investment and multifamily properties are driving elevated risk.