Origination

Contract closings decreased 7.2% in February from the prior month to an annualized 6.02 million, figures from the National Association of Realtors showed Friday.

The effect is likely to be felt in consumer debt burdens and application misrepresentations, industry leaders say.

The company claims its digital registry system is a faster, safer alternative to MERS databases

The creation of single- and multifamily inventory occurred at the fastest pace seen since 2006 in February, but housing market transactions slowed as rates rose.

The builder reported better-than-expected quarterly orders as the record shortage of existing-home listings pushed buyers toward newly built properties.

It was the highest percentage reached in almost three years.

As the rising rates shrink the number of potential customers, mortgage brokers are seeking these products in order to keep business up.

The increase is the first since 2018 and, combined with reductions in the mortgage and Treasury bond portfolio, it could drive 30-year home loan rates to 4.5% by year-end.

Purchases increased, but refinance activity cooled again due to rising rates.

The Federal Open Market Committee is all but certain to raise rates by a quarter percentage point at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting.