Origination

As many had predicted, the federal regulator will be seeking to halt the acquisition by Intercontinental Exchange, according to a report from Politico.

The National Association of Realtors' index of contract signings to purchase previously owned homes increased 8.1% in January from a month earlier to 82.5. The jump beat all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists, which called for a 1% advance.

But even if plowing back into Treasuries proves to be a winning trade, sticking with it won't be for the faint of heart. 

Depending on the down payment, borrowers could see a .15% to .30% decrease

Sales of new U.S. homes increased in January by more than expected to the highest level in nearly a year, fueled entirely by purchases in the South, indicating some stabilization in the housing market after a brutal year.

The company said it expects to accelerate its timeline for selling through money-losing inventory, as the data-driven home-flipper looks to move on from a tumultuous year.

Buyer affordability has decreased by almost 22% in the past year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The total price of U.S. homes was $45.3 trillion at the end of 2022, down from a record high of $47.7 trillion in June, according to Redfin's report.

Persistent inflation concerns drove the 30-year average up 41 basis points this month.

The deal would put housing data provided by the acquiring intelligence provider in front of lenders early in the mortgage borrowing process.