Housing

The financial condition of the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance fund has improved “significantly” over the past year, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro predicted late Monday.

First Mortgage Corp. in Ontario, Calif., has stopped originating mortgages and plans to cease operations.

The homebuilder says his mortgage shop was ready for the new mortgage disclosures. No problems so far.

Home prices increased 0.3% from July and 5.5% year-over-year in August, putting them just below their precrisis peak, according to Black Knight Financial Services.

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.

Refinancings as a portion of the total origination market rose slightly from August to September, according to Ellie Mae.

Both forecasts call for growth in home purchase volume over the next few years, but the decline in refinance originations will be so steep that overall origination volume will decrease.

Mortgage default rates decreased in September, pushing the composite rate down seven basis points to 0.89%, according to the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices.

Private mortgage insurers are seeking a larger share of the credit risk on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-guaranteed loans.

Home prices rose at a slow pace from July to August, after experiencing a sharp decline in the previous month, according to FNC.

David H. Stevens, the Mortgage Bankers Association's president, pledged to "shine an aggressive spotlight on abusive enforcement" at the trade group's annual gathering, specifically calling out the Department of Justice.