Technology

Contracts to purchase previously owned homes unexpectedly fell in December by the most in a year, a sign the industry’s recovery remains uneven.

The U.S. homeownership rate fell to the lowest in more than two decades in the fourth quarter as many would-be buyers stayed on the sidelines, giving the rental market a boost.

South Florida is inching closer to housing stability, according to a monthly report by Freddie Mac.

Mortgage interest rates rose by three basis points compared with the previous week, the first time there has been an increase since the last week of December, according to Freddie Mac.

Fannie Mae recently released its Collateral Underwriter automated risk assessment tool, which evaluates the risk associated with appraisals. It does not accept or reject appraisals, nor does it provide lenders with an estimate of a property's value.

If Zillow is allowed to acquire rival Trulia, the company says it will maintain both brands' websites.

Purchase loan volume increased in December, reversing a four-month decline, according to the mortgage data firm Ellie Mae.

Before the Dodd Frank Act went into effect in 2010, the residential mortgage market was in an entirely different state — particularly in regards to servicing. Several large servicers dominated the market, but ultimately shed most of their servicing assets, creating a substantially large segment of midsize servicers.

Sales of single-family homes in Connecticut rose 2.4% compared to the same period a year earlier.

More than 300,000 South Floridians who lost their homes during the housing bust could be eligible to own again over the next eight years.