Economy

The Houston housing market logged another solid month in May as buyers closed on 8,346 homes, up 2.8% from a year ago, new data shows.

Commercial and multifamily mortgage debt outstanding continued rising, aided by low mortgage rates and the steady incline of property values, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A new startup launched in the Bay Area says it can help buyers survive the region's cutthroat housing market by doing away with one of its biggest hurdles — a massive down payment.

Director Mark Calabria urged lawmakers to grant the agency chartering authority similar to that of bank regulators to boost competition in the mortgage market.

Home sales in Baltimore plunged in May amid the recent ransomware attack on city government computers, including those essential for completing real estate transactions.

The agency’s new guidance would limit some nonprofits’ ability to help borrowers pay their down payments, leading to higher home costs.

Prepayment speeds for loans included in agency mortgage-backed securities were up approximately 20% both monthly and annually during May as the decline in interest rates boosted activity, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

As purchase applications stall in the heart of home buying season despite mortgage rates nearing two-year lows, lenders continued to loosen credit standards in May, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

North Texas home sales gave their best showing of the year in May.

While April saw an increase in condominium sales, May saw an increase in sales of family homes in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Appraisals are viewed as a choke point in the mortgage process. As the ranks of appraisers dwindle and technology advances, a new, AI-driven approach may not be far off.

Ginnie Mae is examining whether the shift in business to nonbank issuers has implications beyond the risks it has historically looked at, and identifying advantages that should be nurtured as well.

The $10 million home that just went on the market in Bennett Valley was built with tech money and there's a good chance tech money will buy it.

The use of financing to buy fix and flip properties increased 35% annually by dollar volume to its highest level in nearly 12 years, according to Attom Data Solutions.

After a sustained downward trajectory, nondepository mortgage companies added 1,200 workers in April, a modest boost for lenders during prime season for the housing market.

Freddie Mac plans to introduce a mortgage this month that will simultaneously finance the purchase price of the home and improvements that will be completed after closing with a single loan.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has far more authority to upend the status quo than most realize, according to a new report.

Median sale prices for Oahu homes dipped last month in what continued a trend this year of light, mostly downward movement for the broad measure of Honolulu housing costs.

Independent mortgage banks became profitable again at the start of the year after realizing losses of $200 for each loan they originated in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

A long list of "preparatory steps" means that any potential Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac initial public offerings are at least three to four years away, according to Raymond James.