Purchase

The median housing prices in Merced County, Calif., have increased in each of the last five months.

Low rates, along with increased new and existing home sales activity drives the latest forecast.

U.S. homebuilder optimism rose to a record in September, with low mortgage rates driving a housing boom that has boosted the pandemic economy.

Mortgage applications decreased 2.5% from one week earlier as refinance activity appears to decelerating, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Loan applications for new homes have staged a remarkable turnaround this year after falling 25% month-over-month and 12% year-to-year due to the coronavirus' impact in April.

The number of homes sold in metro Baton Rouge, La., was 11.2% higher in August than the year before, continuing a hot streak triggered by low interest rates.

The North Texas housing market continued to thumb its nose at the pandemic in August, with home sales up 11% from a year ago.

The Harrisburg, Pa., area real estate market has come a long way since it was shut down completely by Gov. Tom Wolf due to COVID-19 back in March and reopened slowly in April and May.

Listing prices in California have risen 34% since January as inventory shriveled amid the pandemic.

Median closing prices hit a new record high during the four-week period ended Sept. 6, Redfin said.