Mortgage rates

Sentiment among homebuilders rose in February for a second month, exceeding all forecasts, as lower mortgage rates and a strong labor market help stabilize demand.

Refinance volume slipped following growth in mortgage rates, and loans refinanced through the Home Affordable Housing Program barely made a dent in overall volume, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The year-over-year median home sale price dropped in January for the first time since February 2012 in metro Portland, according to new numbers from the Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Mortgages rates fell to their lowest levels since early 2018, but positive news involving trade and no new shutdown could send them rising again, according to Freddie Mac.

Taylor Morrison Home Corp. mortgage volume inched down during the fourth quarter, but is hoping a recently added rate-buydown feature could bolster future lending.

Mortgage applications decreased 3.7% from one week earlier, because of consumer concerns over the direction of the economy outweighed lower interest rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Charlotte's housing market got off to a slow start in 2019, and some experts say that the government shutdown is partially to blame.

Stable equity and debt availability should keep multifamily and commercial real estate originations in line with 2017's peak, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The market for new homes in Houston is expected to be flat for the next couple of years amid a tight supply of lots, a local housing analyst said.

Millennials are unfazed by the short supply of starter homes in a competitive market based on the rising share of December's purchase mortgages, according to Ellie Mae.