Origination

After a September dip, the Central Texas housing market got off to a strong start in the fourth quarter, as home sales bounced back to hit a record high for October, the latest figures show.

Sales of previously owned homes rose in October for the first time in seven months, suggesting demand is stabilizing at a lower level as available properties become less scarce.

As inflating home prices hampered sales in recent years, housing inventory finally shows signs of bouncing back, according to Zillow.

Average credit scores for mortgage borrowers remain at a 2018 high, a sign that lenders aren't easing standards despite refinance candidates already falling off on higher rates, according to Ellie Mae.

Mortgage application activity decreased 0.1% from one week earlier as refinance volume tanked, although interest rates fell, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Falling oil prices and continued volatility in the stock market resulted in the largest week-to-week decline in mortgage rates in over three years, according to Freddie Mac.

The housing market has continued its steady march away from being affordable for many Atlantans, according to the latest report from the Atlanta Realtors Association.

The effort to raise the threshold for transactions excused from appraisal requirements responds to concerns that the current threshold is outpaced by real estate prices.

While it's normally a time the market slows down for mortgage lenders relative to the rest of the year, this winter shouldn't be used to hibernate, according to Attom Data Solutions.

Freddie Mac is expanding its Home Possible loan program to allow borrowers in rural locations to use "sweat equity" for down payments and closing expenses.