Purchase

For the first time in 15 years, fewer than 2 million mortgaged properties lie in default or foreclosure status as of the end of January, according to Black Knight.

Even with the small increase in mortgage rates this past week, the home purchase market stayed active and should remain so for the peak buying season.

Following a record 2019 for the Central Texas housing market, 2020 has kicked off in much the same way, with home sales and median sales prices again reaching record highs in January.

It is the start of a new decade, and here are six trends that will play a critical role in reshaping the mortgage industry.

Low mortgage rates are setting the stage for growth, not just in refinancings, but in purchase volume as well during 2020, according to Ellie Mae.

While Seattle was the nation's fastest-rising housing market between 2016 and 2018, Tacoma now holds that dubious honor, according to Redfin.

The metro Atlanta housing market has continued to heat up, with sales jumping and pricing rising modestly since the start of the year.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau is relaxing mortgage qualification rules to make it easier for homebuyers to secure financing, a move that could give Canada's real estate market another boost.

A dip in conventional mortgage refinance demand drove mortgage application volume down compared with one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Newly constructed home purchase application volume continued its upward momentum during January, with unexpectedly low mortgage rates encouraging consumers to start shopping now, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Baton Rouge, La.-area home sales were up 18% in January compared to the year before when numbers likely were affected by a federal government shutdown.

For the first time since the start of the housing crisis, mortgage origination volume could top $2 trillion for three consecutive years, according to Fannie Mae.

U.S. homebuilder sentiment in February remained near the highest level since 1999 as lower borrowing costs kept construction firms upbeat about sales prospects.

The resale side of the Colorado Springs-area housing market has picked up in 2020 where it left off last year: record high prices and strong sales that are great for sellers, but a sharp drop in the supply of homes that continues to torment buyers.

North Texas home sales started 2020 with a bang, surging 21% in January from a year earlier.

Last May, Redfin elevated Tacoma, Wash., on the nation's real estate map with a report saying the city was the nation's hottest market.

After a record year for home sales in 2019, Chattanooga Realtors are starting 2020 with even stronger residential sales.

First American Financial, a title insurance underwriter and settlement services provider, is acquiring mortgage document firm Docutech for $350 million in cash.

Mortgage rates ticked up slightly, marking the first increase in four weeks, but they remain at levels which encourage borrowers to refinance, according to Freddie Mac.

Thurston County, Wash., home sellers are in total control.