Mortgages

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage, the movements of which have been volatile in recent weeks, is expected to stay in the range of 6.5% for the first half of the year before trending down, Freddie Mac said.

Changes resulting from a recent case settled by the National Association of Realtors could encourage sellers to negotiate lower commissions. But the industry is rife with speculation that agents will find ways to discuss commission splits through other methods.

The Justice Department and the CFPB are increasingly relying on emails among employees that contain discriminatory comments to strengthen their hand in cases against lenders.

In the four years since February 2020, rents have risen overall by approximately 28%, Corelogic found.

The National Flood Insurance Program would ideally be approved yearly, but instead it has gone through 29 reauthorizations since 2017.

The Community Home Lenders of America alleged one provider's employment verification service is charging fees it considers excessive in a letter to federal agencies.

The questions about whether the Home Loan banks receive a public subsidy has been settled. All that remains is for lawmakers to take steps to redirect that subsidy toward public benefits rather than corporate profits.

Texas' largest markets saw the least amount of profit gained from flipped homes last year, with Austin even posting a loss, according to Attom.

State restrictions on the use of credit scores appear to help a wide range of consumers cut homeowner insurance costs to varying degrees, according to Matic.

Instability in mortgage rate movements should continue in the weeks ahead, even with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's comments on inflation.