Purchase

Mortgage applications increased 0.6% from one week earlier as rates rose 5 basis points on 30-year conforming and jumbo loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

New-home construction unexpectedly fell in September on a plunge in multifamily building while permits rose more than forecast, in signs of fitful progress in residential real estate.

Confidence among homebuilders cooled in October from an 11-month high, reflecting a pause in the market for single-family houses.

Fluctuations in home price and wage gains have created a volatile outlook for housing affordability across the country. By better deciphering market data, mortgage companies can hone their strategies to respond to prevailing economic trends.

Recently launched low-down-payment mortgage programs are presenting new opportunities for fraud. But new data and monitoring tools can help lenders mitigate those risks.

Shifting demographics are leading to a rise in the number of millennials and minorities, but homeownership rates among these groups remain depressed. One contributing factor is the lack of mortgage industry hiring and marketing focused on these demographics.

New American Funding and Alterra Home Loans have selected Radian Group as the preferred private mortgage insurance providers for their Your Path loan program.

A leader who surrounds herself with diverse thought and talent, Nikki Groff of Wallick & Volk Mortgage Bankers, formed a team that helped propel her to Top Producer status from a small Arizona town.

Loan applications for new home purchases rose 3% in September over the previous year, but continued year-over-year growth could be subdued for the rest of 2016, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

NeighborWorks reported Wednesday that 56% of survey respondents said that rents are too high where they live for them to be able to save enough to buy a home.

The housing industry has staunchly defended the mortgage interest tax deduction as an essential tool for promoting homeownership. But attitudes are softening, as data show the low- and moderate-income homebuyers who need the subsidy the most are getting the least benefit.

Interest rates fell in August to the lowest level recorded all year for millennials, which could mean expanded buying power for this segment, according to Ellie Mae.

Consumers were less inclined to buy a home in September, thanks to concerns about interest rates, home prices and the political environment.

Homeowners in congressional districts controlled by Democrats nationwide have gained two times' more housing wealth than those in districts led by Republicans, according to Attom Data Solutions.

Converting millennials from renters to homeowners is proving difficult, but here are steps lenders can take to get this generation on board with buying.

There are a lot more apartments available for purchase these days in Manhattan. And fewer people are buying.

Borrowers who go through a sour mortgage experience often leave poor business reviews online and move on with their lives. Houtan Hormozian decided to become a loan officer and give his clients the service and experience that he didn't get to have.

Strong home sales are boosting originations of Federal Housing Administration loans and opening the door for first-time buyers — developments that could portend the mortgage insurance agency receiving a positive report from auditors this fall.

Home sales in California are expected in increase in 2017 as price appreciation slows down, according to a forecast from the California Association of Realtors.

Mortgages jumped more than 20% to 7.4 million originations in 2015, reversing a more than 30% decrease a year earlier, according to housing finance data released Thursday. The data also found that nonbanks accounted for fully half of new mortgage originations — the largest proportion in over 20 years.