Mortgage rates

Consumer optimism about purchasing a home continued to fade in July, as low inventory, rising prices and higher interest rates are affecting their market perception, Fannie Mae said.

From Washington to Baltimore, here's a look at the 12 best housing markets for homebuyer purchasing power, where median house values and mortgage rates are more favorable.

Employment by nondepository mortgage companies in June increased for the third consecutive month as seasonal hiring continued even though home resales inched down another notch.

Local homebuilding remained on a hot streak as through the first seven months of this year, single-family permits totaled 2,500 or 22% higher than the same period in 2017.

Mortgage rates rose to their highest level in seven weeks and fourth-highest of 2018, thanks to strong economic trends, according to Freddie Mac.

Mortgage applications dropped for the third consecutive week around rising interest rates and languid housing starts.

Contract signings to purchase previously owned homes rose for the first time in three months, indicating the housing market is stabilizing on the heels of a modest pickup in listings, lower taxes and a robust labor market.

Fannie Mae has issued securities supporting the transition away from the London interbank offered rate; something that could become more pressing for lenders if adjustable-rate mortgages were to become more prevalent.

Mortgage rates rose to their highest level since late June, going up for the third time in the past nine weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

A lack of new and existing homes for sale led to a drop in purchase and overall mortgage application volume although refinances grew.

There is an opportunity for home sales to break out of the doldrums if price appreciation slows, mortgage rates remain flat and supply increases, Freddie Mac said.

Mortgage rates took a small step down, decreasing for the sixth time in the eight weeks since Memorial Day, according to Freddie Mac.

As purchase mortgages continue to dominate overall industry volume, lenders aren't letting the extra work required to close these loans affect their productivity.

Mortgage banking revenue stemming from a year-to-year increase in rates weighed down noninterest income at U.S. Bancorp, but increased interest income from higher rates helped improve earnings overall.

Rising median home prices and tight housing inventory led purchase and overall mortgage application volume to fall although refinances rose.

New-home groundbreaking and permits fell in June to the slowest pace in nine months, as higher mortgage rates and elevated costs for labor and materials pinch the housing market.

Fewer sales of existing homes and uncertainty around future fiscal policies will result in fewer mortgage originations than previously expected, according to Fannie Mae.

Confidence among homebuilders held steady in July, matching the lowest level of the year, as solid job gains support demand while elevated material costs pressure developers.

Mortgage rates broke from their recent respite, increasing for only the second time in the past seven weeks, according to Freddie Mac.

Greater consumer access to credit could help mortgage bankers replenish originations eroded by higher rates, but they are reluctant to depart from the status quo to provide it.