Housing

Mortgage applications fell 1% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending March 25, compared to one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Lennar Corp., the second-largest U.S. homebuilder, reported a higher-than-expected profit for its fiscal first quarter as the nation's job gains bolstered demand for real estate purchases.

Home values in 20 U.S. cities kept climbing in January, a sign the limited supply of available properties may push prices out of reach for some buyers.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes rebounded more than forecast in February as sales picked up in most of the U.S., a good sign as the spring-selling season approaches.

Home prices rose 5.3% in January compared to the previous year, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

Five policy heavy-hitters issued a proposal this week to merge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a single government corporation as a way to move beyond the conservatorships of the two government-sponsored enterprises.

Two senior GOP lawmakers are warning regulators against preferential treatment for housing advocates and nonprofits in sales of nonperforming, government-guaranteed mortgages.

Interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages lowered for the first time in four weeks, Freddie Mac reported.

While the absolute number of housing markets that are less affordable than their historic norms remains small, there is concern over rising home prices forcing consumers out of the market, according to RealtyTrac.

Total mortgage applications declined last week, as volume was once again impacted by the drop-off in refinancings, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Purchases of new homes climbed in February for the fourth time in the last five months as demand snapped back in the western U.S.

The House passed a bill late Monday to extend foreclosure relief for military service members through the end of next year.

Home prices rose in January as shoppers competed for a limited inventory of listings.

Eight years after the crash, the housing market still awaits the return of the first-time home buyer. Beyond the struggle to build credit to meet stricter standards, and the difficulty saving for a down payment amid skyrocketing rents and surging student loan burdens, there lies an even simpler explanation: fewer choices.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes dropped more than forecast in February as low inventory levels continue to limit progress in housing.

The Manufactured Housing Institute is calling on the Federal Housing Finance Agency to push the government-sponsored enterprises to purchase chattel loans.

As servicers downsize their loss mitigation units, housing counselors are finding the companies' designated points of contact are less experienced, making it more difficult to get packages approved for troubled borrowers.

Fixed-rate mortgage rates rose for the third straight week, in part due to higher inflation, Freddie Mac reported.

If the Federal Reserve raises short-term rates in June, market volatility will spur investors to buy long-term bonds, driving down the 30-year mortgage rate to around 3%, consultant Barry Habib argues.

It took an average of 46 days to close a residential mortgage loan in February, the shortest closing time since May, according to Ellie Mae.