Housing markets

Uncover how high-speed internet access drives property valuations, creates lending opportunities, and transforms mortgage markets nationwide.

Until August, Bell was the executive director for loan guaranty service at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he was credited with growing the program.

More than two-thirds of Americans believe homeownership is riskier now than 10 years ago due to climate change, a Clever Offers survey showed.

Of the 15 states most affected by natural disasters, California and Florida had the highest non-renewal rates in 2024, a Weiss Ratings study found.

An index of contract signings held at 74.8 after climbing a revised 4.2% a month earlier to the highest level since March, according to National Association of Realtors data released Wednesday.

Mortgage loan application volume jumped 7.1% on a seasonally-adjusted basis last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

A national measure of prices rose 1.5% from a year earlier, according to data from S&P Cotality Case-Shiller. It was the smallest gain since mid-2023 and followed a 1.6% increase in July. 

Companies reported positive numbers but see challenges in a sluggish housing environment, as federal pressure ramps up to address affordability.

The number of prospective buyers touring properties in the city last week fell 8.5% from a year earlier, according to data from Bright MLS, a regional multiple listing service. It's the eighth straight weekly decline.

Contract closings increased 1.5% to an annual rate of 4.06 million in September, the highest in seven months, according to National Association of Realtors figures released Thursday.

Decreased homeowner equity corresponds to recent declining prices reported by leading housing researchers, but tappable amounts still sit near record highs.

While the Federal Open Market Committee has yet to meet this month, investor pricing of longer-term bonds helped mortgages by 11 basis points, Wallethub said.

While purchase volume is up 20% from last year, it was 5% lower than one week ago, although a 4% increase in refinance activity helped pick up the slack.

Kin, a direct-to-consumer insurance provider, has started a mortgage broker in Florida which also takes loan applications through a call center or online.

The NRMLA/Riskspan Reverse Mortgage Market Index set a new high of 502.42, with the dollar amount of home equity for those 62 or over reaching $14.4 trillion.

In dollar terms, the amounts consumers had to come up with increased by $500 on a consecutive quarter basis, in contrast to a $100 drop the year before.

LendingTree found that during 2024, May's median price for a 1,500 square foot home was $194.20 versus January's $178.60, a difference of $23,400.

Despite the decrease, average profit margins approached 50%, as the lock-in effect continues to stymie inventory growth and keep home values elevated.

Federal Reserve Governor Stephan Miran said the economic standoff with China could increase market volatility, further necessitating the central bank to move its policy stance to neutral.

Rate-and-term transactions leaped by 154% from August to September, while cash-outs and purchase loans also increased, according to Optimal Blue.