Origination

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.09% Thursday, down two basis points from last week, while the 15-year rate fell to 5.44%, according to Freddie Mac.

Contract closings decreased 8.4%, the biggest drop since February 2022, to a 3.91 million annualized pace in January, according to National Association of Realtors data released Thursday.

The income needed to afford a home had been rising on an annual basis nearly every month for five years, but affordability has been improving since the summer.

More than half of respondents in a National Mortgage News survey predict AI-backed underwriting will fundamentally change mortgage processes in 2026.

A Washington court denied a plaintiff request, pointing to past Supreme Court rulings that showed a compelling interest for the state's special-purpose credit program.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Jeff Schmid said the US central bank should hold rates at a "somewhat restrictive" level, as he expressed continued concerns over inflation that remains too high.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte said in a social media post that action was imminent amid Trump administration antitrust investigations.

The homebuilder and lender DHI Mortgage, in responding to a RICO suit, say they clearly informed buyers of potential property tax hikes on their newly built homes.

Dono becomes the latest platform focused on expediting property records searches to benefit from funding in 2026, as investors show support for AI development.

As mortgage rates sank to near 6% in January, consumers looked to do rate-and-term refinances, while originators offered more ARMs and cash-out loans.