Housing markets

Mortgage application volume decreased 6.5%, falling for the second consecutive week with refinance activity at its lowest since early July, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

As interest rates tumbled throughout July, prepayments climbed to the highest monthly rate since 2004, but 90-days-or-more delinquencies were on the rise from June, according to Black Knight.

Rising equity levels lifted borrowers across the spectrum in the second quarter, according to Attom Data Solutions.

Rates are forecasted to remain at the current low levels for the rest of 2020, driving steady refinance volume.

Nearly 12 million renters could be served with eviction notices in the next four months. And in some cities, like New York and Houston, more than a fifth of renters say they have “no confidence” in their ability to pay next month.

Mortgage rates rose for the first time in six weeks, going back the above the 3% mark, as spreads to the 10-year Treasury yield widened again, according to Freddie Mac.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency will extend the same GSE benchmarks of the past three years into 2021.

Contract signings to purchase previously owned homes surged in May by the most on record as mortgage rates fell and some states began to reopen from coronavirus lockdowns.

Potential sales last month rose compared with April as homes became more affordable due to low mortgage rates.

A Clever Real Estate survey found a significant share of new borrowers are not making their full payment.

Some cities saw drops in annual housing supply nearing 40% in early May, according to Zillow.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index hasn't yet reflected the impact of the coronavirus, but an independent market maker has some thoughts on how it might.

The coronavirus disruption caused March's pending home sales to fall and the losses will reverberate through the rest of 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Is JPMorgan Chase an outlier or the canary in the coal mine when it comes to home equity lending during the coronavirus spread?

Increased refinancing volume led Fannie Mae to raise its 2020 estimate by $300 billion and 2021 projection by $280 billion.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac coming out of conservatorship and transitioning into public utilities would be the ideal for small mortgage lenders, according to trade-organization representative Robert Zimmer.

Mortgage companies that borrow heavily to keep their operations running may face financial pressure from coronavirus-related market volatility as it affects the valuations of collateral securing their financing.

For the first time since the start of the housing crisis, mortgage origination volume could top $2 trillion for three consecutive years, according to Fannie Mae.

Consumer sentiment about purchasing a home nears its record high as almost half of those surveyed said mortgage rates will stay at the current low levels, according to Fannie Mae.

The agency is sending a strong message that it won’t rush to end an exemption for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while also signaling longer-term changes that will affect all lenders.