Purchasing power

The supply of homes for sale in Atlanta continued to fall, which helped push prices higher last month, according to several reports.

Loan limits for most mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy will exceed $500,000 for the first time ever next year, and the maximum for most high-cost areas will be $765,000.

While affordability remains a challenge with the continued strain on housing supply, purchasing power took a big leap in September thanks to a rise in income and descending interest rates, according to First American Financial Corp.

Central Texas could be on pace for a ninth straight year of record-setting home sales, according to new data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Existing-home sales outperformed their estimated potential for October on improved consumer buying power since the start of 2019 and lower mortgage rates, First American said.

Consumer mortgage originator satisfaction scores fell in the second quarter as lenders had to work through the increase in application activity, a J.D. Power report said.

Though still comparatively strong, consumer confidence in the housing market dropped again in October in response to economic uncertainty and lack of affordability, according to Fannie Mae.

Southern California house prices continued rising in September, although gains remain the smallest since the housing recovery began in the spring of 2012, new data shows.

Compass launched its bridge loan services program, aimed at giving homeowners more purchasing power and opportunity to buy a new house before selling theirs.

Home sales continued to perform in line with their potential in September and indicators suggest housing will keep flourishing through the fourth quarter, according to First American.

Bankers in St. Louis weren't surprised when mortgage data released this summer showed a drop in loans made between 2017 and 2018.

Consumer confidence in the housing market remains relatively strong, but economic uncertainty is testing its resiliency, according to Fannie Mae.

Home prices have more than recovered since the recession, but higher-than-ever medical and student debt is robbing many homeowners from realizing the benefits, while keeping others away from the market, according to Zillow.

Existing-home sales exceeded their market potential again in August, and the improvement may continue for some time before there's a correction, according to First American.

Soaring home prices are pushing homebuyers out of walkable neighborhoods into those that are more car-dependent, Redfin said.

Mortgage rates remained near three-year lows last week, but their movement did not mirror the period's big shifts in the 10-year Treasury yield.

While affordability continues to affect homebuyers, rising income combined with descending interest rates and decelerating housing values boosted the purchase market, according to First American.

Here's a look at 12 of the nation's most affordable housing markets, based on the lowest shares of median local income needed to buy a house in the area, according to Redfin.

July's existing-home sales lived up to their potential after falling short the previous month, but that potential remains limited because tenure continues to increase, according to First American.

Foreign buyers have cooled on the U.S. residential home market, dropping investments by more than one-third over the previous year and spending less in expensive California.