Practice and client management

Many real estate agents expected rising interest rates to affect the type of home prospective purchasers were shopping for, according to the results of a survey by Redfin.

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes unexpectedly decreased in November on a sudden pickup in mortgage rates and limited inventory, according to figures released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.

Rising interest rates typically squelch demand for refinancing, leaving lenders to compete for homebuyers' business. But plain-vanilla purchase loans aren't the only saleable products in this rising-rate environment. Here are five other products likely to find demand.

Purchases of new homes increased in November to the second-fastest pace in almost nine years as the beginning of a spike in mortgage rates persuaded buyers to quickly sign contracts.

A consumer's ability to afford to purchase a home during the fourth quarter was at its lowest level in eight years due to rapid price appreciation, moderate wage growth and the post-election increase in interest rates.

Mortgage rates continued their climb, with the 30-year reaching its highest level since April 2014, after the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark lending rate.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes unexpectedly increased in November to the strongest level since early 2007, ahead of a jump in borrowing costs, National Association of Realtors data showed.

While the housing market is expected to cool down a bit in 2017, the National Association of Realtors has identified these 10 metro areas as the top markets for next year.

Higher mortgage rates are expected to put a damper on the housing market's potential along with home price appreciation next year, according to First American Financial Corp.

New home construction fell more than forecast in November after surging a month earlier to a nine-year high, indicating fitful progress in residential real estate.

Confidence among homebuilders surged in December to an 11-year high on prospects the election of Donald Trump will translate into a smaller regulatory burden on the industry.

Higher rates and lower consumer confidence are expected to put a damper on existing home sales in 2017, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The inventory of starter homes is shrinking at an increasingly faster pace, leaving first-time homebuyers with fewer and more expensive options, according to Trulia.

Interest rates may climb to 3% on 10-year Treasuries by next year as deficits and inflation rise under a Donald Trump presidency and that would hurt the housing market, said Jeffrey Gundlach, chief investment officer of DoubleLine Capital.

Millennials are the most optimistic about the state of the U.S. real estate market, while most American express favorable opinions about housing, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. is rolling out a new mobile application that allows consumers to apply for a loan, scan documents and get updates on their loan status through real-time push notifications.

From the rising influence of millennials to shifting trends in home prices and housing inventory, here's a look at the top housing market trends for 2017.

A California bank is planning to add mortgages and home equity lines to its product set.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Wednesday filed consent orders against three reverse mortgage companies, accusing them of deceptive advertising and misrepresentations.

PlainsCapital Corp. subsidiary PrimeLending is expanding its closing cost assistance program to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.