Scarce inventory, falling rates could boost home prices
In December, a Pulsenomics panel of more than 100 housing experts expected homes to appreciate by 2.4% in 2024. Now they're predicting prices will go up by 3.8%
by Matt Carter Mar 1
Mortgage rates ease for 2nd consecutive day on inflation data
'Quantitative tightening' — the Federal Reserve's moves to trim $35B in mortgages from its balance sheet each month — could keep mortgage rates from falling dramatically this year
by Matt Carter Mar 1
Latest inflation numbers give mortgage rates some room to fall
A key Fed inflation metric, the PCE price index, continues to drop toward the Fed's 2% inflation target, falling from 2.6% annual growth in December to 2.4% in January
by Matt Carter Feb 29
Rising mortgage rates taking a big bite out of homebuyer demand
Applications for purchase loans have dropped 4 weeks in a row, plummeting by a seasonally adjusted 10% last week, according to a survey of lenders by the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Feb 21
Many hoped a March rate cut would boost housing. Now, it's not so clear
Most real estate professionals believe rate cuts by the Fed will be crucial for a sales recovery, according to results from the Inman Intel Index survey. But the timing on those cuts is hazy
by Chris LeBarton Feb 19
Rising rates and home prices stifle January market: Redfin
The Federal Reserve's policy shift depressed homebuyer and homeseller activity in January, according to Redfin. New and active listings both fell from December levels
by Marian McPherson Feb 16
Strength in home prices helped boost Fannie, Freddie 2023 profits
With a combined net worth of $125B after earnings this week, the mortgage giants remain on a path that could lead to eventual release from government conservatorship if political winds shift
by Matt Carter Feb 16
Demand for purchase mortgages drops for 3rd week in a row
MBA lender survey shows applications from homebuyers are down 12% from a year ago, as mortgage rates continue to rebound from December lows on stubborn inflation data
by Matt Carter Feb 14
'The vibe is pretty good' as first earnings season of 2024 kicks off
Ahead of Q4 earnings this week and next, analysts are narrowing in on the future — and pleased by lower rates and a healthier economy as it rebounds from the final months of 2023
by Jim Dalrymple II Feb 14
Mr. Cooper now collects payments on $1T in mortgages amid big Q4
Investors pushed shares in the Dallas-based mortgage loan servicer to a new high on Friday as executives in a Q4 earnings call said they'll keep investing in technology that boosts efficiency
by Matt Carter Feb 12
Mortgage rates lead to biggest pending sales drop since October
A record one-day jump in mortgage rates on Feb. 2 pushed pending sales down 8 percent — the biggest decline since October, according to Redfin's latest market report
by Marian McPherson Feb 8
Homebuyer purchase loan demand falls again as mortgage rates firm
After picking up during the first 3 weeks of January, MBA lender surveys show applications for purchase loans are contracting, with mortgage rates no longer in free fall from 2023 highs
by Matt Carter Feb 7
Housing sentiment improves on hopes for lower mortgage rates
Consumer sentiment toward housing increased to the highest level in nearly 2 years in January, with a record number expecting mortgage rates to come down in the year ahead: Fannie Mae
by Matt Carter Feb 7
Agents have real concerns — but commission rates aren't at the top
Despite ongoing commission lawsuits, agents are more concerned about the health of the real estate pie than the size of their own slice, results of the latest Inman Intel Index survey show
by Chris LeBarton Feb 7
Sluggish net new listings signal that the lock-in effect is not over
Home valuation platform HouseCanary's January housing report revealed persistent skittishness among homesellers, as net new listings tumbled 17.5% from January 2023
by Marian McPherson Feb 5