Housing

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.