Originations

New-home loan activity rose 1% in August year over year, but applications fell 6% from July.

Falling interest rates led to a rush in refinancing, but slowing purchase activity brought a decline in overall lock volumes, according to Optimal Blue.

While August's views on buying conditions and rates increased over July, the other components in Fannie Mae's sentiment index all declined, driving it lower.

Black homeownership fell to 43.9% this summer, its lowest since 2021, as rising unemployment and federal layoffs widened housing gaps across demographics.

The 30-year conforming fixed rate mortgage ended this week at its lowest since last Oct. 17, helped by bond traders pricing in a reduction in short-term rates.

As Washington weighs a national housing emergency, U.S. homeownership has slipped year-over-year, according to Redfin.

A pickup in refinances was offset by the first pullback in purchases in four weeks in the run-up to Labor Day, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The increase in purchase volume was not enough to offset the drop in refinance application submissions as conventional rates increased week-over-week.

The bank "temporarily" paused home equity line of credit lending in April 2020, over concerns regarding the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While still higher than the norm, the reduction in this spread is good news when it comes to mortgage rates for potential homebuyers as well as current owners.

Lagging tech adoption, issues with credit, and originators' rush to close refinances earlier this year contributed to deterioration, a study found.

Fannie Mae economists toned down their housing and economic outlook in August, predicting fewer home sales and less mortgage origination volume versus July.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell by 5 basis points, with the Consumer Price Index showing muted inflation and jobs data still influencing the market.

July's growth in products correspond with a noticeable rise in new applications for adjustable-rate mortgages as borrowers respond to recent rate movements.

Employment came in below estimates, which some economists expect could move the bond market in ways that affect loan costs even before the Fed meets next.

The 30-year fixed rate stayed within a narrow range throughout most of July, with forecasts likely to leave the housing market "stuck," said one economist.

New homebuyers found mortgages more affordable last month amid growing supply and softer prices nationwide, new data from the MBA finds.

As high interest rates make refinancing impossible for many homeowners, increasing numbers of them are turning to HELOCs and home equity loans for cash.

Numbers on use and performance point to potential for nonpublic insurers to take on a greater role but also suggest there are limits to it, Fitch Ratings found.

Fannie Mae also foresees more home sales than it did in June, but the Mortgage Bankers Association reduced its origination projections for 2025.