Mortgage rates

Refinance applications reached their lowest share in more than seven years even as mortgage rates fell last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

San Diego County's home market continued to show signs of decelerated growth in January, falling behind the national average for the second month in a row.

Contracts to buy previously owned homes jumped in February by the most since July 2010.

The industry expects to lean on technological efficiencies this year as higher rates and dwindling refinances test their businesses.

Affordability will be an issue in nearly half of all metropolitan areas as the home purchase season starts.

Home prices in 20 U.S. cities climbed in the 12 months through January at the fastest pace since July 2014, while nationwide the increase in property values also accelerated.

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan said the central bank should roll off both mortgage-backed securities and Treasury holdings when it begins to let its balance sheet shrink.

Rising interest rates made mortgage lenders bearish on their short-term outlook for purchase originations and that is affecting their expectations on profits.

The state's housing industry took a hit in February as the number of single-family homes and condominiums sold plunged last month and median sales prices remained flat.

South Florida's housing market may not be as frenzied as it was a few years ago, but the February figures from local Realtor boards show that sellers are still winning the price fight.