Origination

New-home construction unexpectedly fell in July for a third month on another drop in starts of apartment buildings that masked a gain in single-family units.

July brought some zip to a Portland area housing market that had been in the doldrums relative to the past few years, but the rally might prove short-lived.

Despite a record streak of higher prices, some economists believe homes in certain Bay Area communities should be considered a bargain. And that's even with median price tags easily topping a million bucks.

Mortgage industry hiring and new job appointments for the week ending Aug. 16.

With long-term interest rates at historic lows, mortgage refinancing is coming on strong. But that additional revenue may not be enough to offset net interest margin pressures and lost servicing income.

The Federal Housing Administration updated its lender certification proposal originally issued this past May, as it looks to ease industry concerns on False Claims Act enforcement.

The global rally in bonds on Thursday drove the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury below 1.5% for the first time since August 2016.

Lower rates will likely sustain higher levels of origination through at least the third quarter, but supply constraints and economic weakness could limit the purchase market's response in the long term.

The industry has long worried that the ability-to-repay rule gives borrowers an avenue to fight foreclosure, but one plaintiff’s experience may discourage others from trying.

July's low mortgage rate environment encouraged new homebuyers to overcome their fears about the direction of the economy that kept them out of the market in June, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.