Housing

Purchases of new homes slumped in September to a 10-month low, disrupting a trend of steady improvement this year in the industry.

Housing markets across the U.S. continue to gradually improve, according to Freddie Mac.

Consumer demand for apartments continued to rise in the third quarter, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council.

Astoria Financial, a New York City-area thrift under pressure from activist investor Basswood Capital Management to boost the share price, is exploring a sale, according to people familiar with the matter. The stock climbed as much as 6.2%.

Lawmakers and industry groups are urging FHA to update condo rules to provide more homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers.

Mortgage rates fell this week as investors acted on Federal Reserve Gov. Daniel Tarullo's doubts on an interest rate increase occurring before the end of the year.

Sales of previously owned homes rebounded in September to the second-highest level since February 2007.

Home prices rose in August as low borrowing costs and sustained job growth fueled demand amid a tight inventory of properties on the market.

The volume of loans closed in a Department of Housing and Urban Development program for seniors housing declined over the past 12 months.

An increasing number of renters are considering whether to purchase a home, according to a TD Bank survey.