Down payments

The vast majority of Americans, especially those that could be downsizing into a smaller property, would rather renovate their current home than save for a down payment, a Zillow survey found.

Home price index swaps, treated as a second lien on a property, will be used to reduce the default risk associated with low down payment mortgages, one of the program's creators said.

Millennials are targeting homeownership within the next few years, but many are buying into certain house-purchasing myths, according to Bank of America.

Homebuyers put about 15% toward a down payment on house, spend $40,000 in one-time fees and thousands in closing costs, presenting an opportunity for lenders to leverage education and product offerings to prepare them for a purchase.

Homebuyers saving for a down payment contributed to the slowest rate of August price appreciation in nearly two years; and the market could have even less momentum by next summer.

Millennials make up the largest constituent group for both homebuyers and sellers, which could put a squeeze on lending and eventually shift the market.

As home prices continue to rise, a record-high 77% of people surveyed think it's currently a strong time to sell a house, according to the National Association of Realtors.

NMI Holdings is laying the groundwork for President Claudia Merkle to replace CEO Bradley Shuster next year.

Mortgage origination volume continues to decline as homebuyers receiving loans bring more money to the closing table.

How affordable is Tampa Bay? One test is whether someone earning the median income can afford the median priced home.

Private mortgage insurance was the largest source of credit enhancement for new homeowners in the second quarter making a low down payment for the first time ever, according to Genworth Mortgage Insurance.

The typical Portland-area home is out of reach for a median-wage family, new home-sale figures show.

The percentage of low down payment loans using private mortgage insurance continues to grow, and should continue as more first-time homebuyers get conforming loans, according to Keefe Bruyette & Woods.

The Bay Area continues to lead the state in shattered homeownership dreams.

Housing affordability has hit a 10-year low throughout most of California, new data show, as three out of four state residents can no longer afford sky-high median homes prices.

National MI deliberately dropped some of its customers in the second quarter, resulting in flat new insurance growth compared with the first quarter and a lower increase versus one year prior.

The fees that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac charge for low down payment mortgages disproportionately reflect their risk exposure and make homeownership more difficult for underserved borrowers.

From Cleveland to Pittsburgh, here's a look at 12 markets offering favorable costs for housing, helping turn renters into potential homebuyers by quickly saving for a down payment.

A Fannie Mae test to handle the private mortgage insurance process for lenders may raise concerns that it's going outside the scope of its secondary market mission. But the effort reflects its mandate to explore new credit-risk transfer alternatives, a company executive said.

Americans selling homes in the nation's hottest market last year made enough to turn around and buy a place for cash — and still have spare change for a Tesla.