Housing markets

Economic uncertainty and higher rates in May contributed to the second decline in applications for new homes on an annual basis, reversing March gains

Guidance documents from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network heightening bank scrutiny of individual tax identification numbers in mortgage applications could discourage banks from issuing those kinds of loans.

Active listings reached 1.4 million homes, a 4.3% increase year over year, while sales fell 1.2%, which came in better than expectations, Homes.com said.

The decline in non-owner occupied acquisitions came as sales fell overall due to high mortgage rates and bad winter weather in the Northeast, BatchData said.

Contract signings rose 3.8% to 76.8 last month, according to National Association of Realtors data released Wednesday, a faster pace than all estimates in a Bloomberg survey.

Higher mortgage rates and affordability pressure prompts Fitch Rating's revision from 'neutral' to 'deteriorating'

But moderating price growth and friendly building policies in many markets hint at emerging affordability for aspiring buyers, Zillow said.

An index of overall market conditions from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo fell 2 points to 35 this month, according to data released Monday, lower than the 37 anticipated by economists in a Bloomberg survey.

An economy that's been good for the rich makes shares of high-end homebuilders a better bet than those focused on entry-level buyers, according to one Wall Street analyst.

South and Sunbelt cities, once pandemic seller markets, now favor buyers

Over three-quarters of the Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators panel said the FOMC will ease eventually, but a growing number are now expecting a hike.

Contract closings rose 3.2% to an annualized rate of 4.17 million last month, according to data released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors.

More than half of consumers worry about money daily, despite improved budgeting habits and, according to a Ramsey Solutions survey, declining mortgage concerns.

The areas cited by Attom Data Solutions all have similar characteristics, namely high unemployment rates and worse foreclosure activity than their peers.

Those who looked to sell their properties during May listed at a price 2.4% lower, as they take into account current conditions instead of being overoptimistic.

Cotality's fraud risk index hit its best mark since 2023, but investment and multifamily properties are driving elevated risk.

The total delinquency rate rose 0.2 percentage points annually in March, with the share of loans 90 days late rising out of the range they were in since 2024.

This is the fourth settlement MV Realty reached in the last two months over its controversial homeownership benefits program, which is now illegal in 33 states.

Mortgage payments climbed to a 10-month high in April as rates rose, but strong annual wage growth of 5.3% helped keep the MBA's affordability index nearly flat month to month.

The sales setback in April suggests the nation is still struggling to emerge from a three-year housing funk.