Mortgage rates

Growing wages combined with flat mortgage rates handed homebuyers' increased affordability with a 2.4% boost in purchasing power for February, according to First American Financial Corp.

Mortgage rates are low, the job market is on fire and, in a mysterious disconnect, Palm Beach County, Fla., home sales lagged again in March.

Mortgage rates posted a fourth consecutive week of increases, but Freddie Mac remains bullish in its outlook for this spring's home purchase season.

Purchase mortgage applications, which until now were unaffected by the recent rise in interest rates, fell by 4% on a seasonally adjusted basis from last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Sales of new homes unexpectedly rose in March, climbing to a 16-month high to cap the first quarter with a third straight increase that reflects a boost from lower borrowing costs.

Homebuilder stocks are slipping after sales of previously owned homes fell more than forecast in March and KBW cut its rating on D.R. Horton shares.

After a strong February, existing-home sales took a U-turn in March. While buyer conditions heat up and mortgage rates remained low, consumers took a patient approach — especially in the expensive West Coast markets.

If favorable interest rates and rising consumer incomes continue, market potential for home purchases will be boosted in the short term, according to First American Financial.

Sales of previously owned homes eased more than forecast in March, suggesting the housing market is still finding its footing after a weak 2018.

New-home construction unexpectedly fell in March, decelerating to the slowest pace since May 2017 and suggesting builders remain wary even as lower mortgage rates and steady wage gains offer support to consumers.

Economic growth will slow in 2019, but conditions will help home sales hold steady, with mortgage volume now being projected to rise over 2018, according to Fannie Mae.

Steady interest rates could lift the housing market going forward, but for now there is an ongoing slump in single-family home construction authorizations along with maintenance and remodeling activity, according to BuildFax.

Mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week, but home purchases are up as well, to their highest level in nine years, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rates continued to decline through the spring home buying season, driving up the share of refinance loans and overall closing rates, according to Ellie Mae.

Higher interest rates cut refinance mortgage application volume and reduced overall activity even as the purchase index reached a nine-year high, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Canadian home sales and prices rebounded in March from a dismal showing a month earlier, but remained below historical averages.

Tax reform leaves mortgage-related deductions far too low to help the average homeowner this tax season, in contrast to last year, when they slightly exceeded the standard deduction.

From the middle of the country to the Pacific Northwest, here's a look at cities where consumers wield the most purchasing power for the upcoming home buying season, based on changes in housing values compared to local wages and mortgage rates.

Multifamily and commercial lenders had another banner year in 2018, when closed-loan originations rose 8% to a high of $574 billion.

Mortgage rates rose slightly for the second consecutive week, but should remain low for the foreseeable future, which will aid the purchase market, according to Freddie Mac.