Investors in agency mortgage-backed securities will find next year to be "anything but smooth sailing" as Federal Reserve rate hikes and balance sheet reduction will lead to an increase in real rates and volatility while pushing spreads wider, Bank of America said.

Mortgage rates held steady this week, remaining near their lowest levels in more than a month, according to Freddie Mac.

Interest rates are nearing the neutral level — the rate that neither stimulates nor restrains economic growth — Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday.

While a downturn is expected to come for the housing market, it could be more of a side-step than falling off a cliff, according to the latest Barclays Global Economics Weekly report.

While the housing market perennially decelerates in the winter, it can be a wonderland for potential homebuyers, according to Attom Data Solutions.

If the predictions prove correct, the benchmark rate would reach 3.50% by the end of next year.

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.

Confidence among homebuilders plummeted by the most since 2014 as the highest borrowing costs in eight years restrain demand, adding to signs of a cooling housing market that will weigh on the Federal Reserve's debate over how far to raise interest rates.

Bank jumbo mortgage underwriting standards weakened in the third quarter by the most in three years and as profitability remains under pressure, loosening should continue at an accelerated pace, a Moody's report said.

After last week's surge of 11 basis points, mortgage rates held steady due to a dip in energy costs, even with continued stock market volatility, according to Freddie Mac.

The move allows the New York multifamily lender to make more loans without having to raise capital.

Mortgage rates rose significantly across the board as the economy continued to show resilience with strong business activity and growth in employment, according to Freddie Mac.

The federal agencies said in a recent statement that “guidance does not have the force and effect of law,” but two trade groups say that standard should be more binding.

Returns on mortgage-backed securities in October lagged Treasuries by 37 basis points, the most since November 2016.

Mortgage rates dropped slightly for the second time in the past three weeks as yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note remained flat for most of the period, according to Freddie Mac.

As potential homebuyers anticipate mortgage rates to keep rising, September was a strong month for housing demand, according to Redfin.

Former Chair Janet Yellen defended the Fed, expressed worry for the economy and gave advice to women on the rise at the MBA Annual Convention this week.

Federal regulators have issued answers to frequently asked questions on appraisal regulations.

From discussing the future of mortgage tech to debating the shifting sands of political policies, here's a preview of the big issues, topics and ideas when the industry gathers in the nation's capital for the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo.

Mortgage application activity was relatively flat compared with the previous week, as long-term interest rates held steady following the recent Fed rate hike, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.