Data and information management

Florida continues to lead the nation in foreclosure inventory, but trailing it is not another sand state but rather the Garden State—New Jersey.

Refinancings drop below 70% of loan acquisitions for the first time in years.

Housing economists expect home prices to end 2013 up nearly 7% year-over-year, but this trend is not projected to sustain this pace through 2018.

Refinancings made up just 28% of loan production in September.

Higher interest rates—up to 5.4% by the end of the year—will take some affordability out of the market.

Job gains during the refinancing boom have evaporated.

The economy is likely holding back sales activity.

Prices have recovered since the financial crisis and they are now in positive territory again, CoreLogic says.

Increase surprises observers due to falling home sales during the third quarter.

Third-quarter profit for Ally Financial fell by 76% as the company settled U.S. claims for soured mortgages and stopped making new home loans.

The Democratic-leaning cities have a lower base to rise from than the Republican ones.

Tight credit standards prompt adult children and parents to pool resources to purchase a home.

Banks remain tight despite the drop-off in refinancings.

Buyer activity grows week-over-week, a trend lenders hope will continue.

This index is designed to move slowly and not exhibit the same volatility as rates for other mortgage products.

One good sign is commitments to purchase new loans edged up slightly in September.

The month typically sees fewer loans originated as the home buying season ends.

Lenders seized or sold at auction 51,000 housing units nationwide in September, down from 84,000 last year.

Progress will be tougher going forward due to the high concentration of borrowers with junior liens and low-value properties.

An improved economy should help grow purchases in the coming year as overall loan volume drops.