Mortgages

Levels of home equity in seriously delinquent loans have fluctuated but today there's still a sufficient amount to help many access foreclosure alternatives, Intercontinental Exchange said.

The incentives are part of a broader set of Federal Housing Administration servicing changes for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages that also offers some new options for procedures.

The 30-year average declined for the fifth consecutive week, as purchase demand picking up at the same time, according to Freddie Mac.

Rising purchase activity countered falling refinances, as declining interest rates helped bring some aspiring buyers to market, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Stress tests suggest systemically important depositories could weather current risks. Meanwhile, single-family arrears remain low, but that business could be impacted.

Purchases of new single-family homes decreased 5.6% to a 679,000 annualized pace last month, government data showed Monday.

Even if the 30-year fixed were to slip further to 6.4%, it is not enough to end the seller's strike, economists said.

Also, Wells Fargo, Finance of America entered into partnerships affecting real estate tax and cybersecurity solutions.

Follow-through has been weak, but there's hope lower mortgage rates could improve conditions, according to new housing reports from Redfin and MBS Highway.

The market's reaction to the Consumer Price Index report on Tuesday helped to push the 10-year Treasury and 30-year fixed-rate loan lower, Freddie Mac said.