The housing markets in the United States that are expected to see the most growth in home sales and prices combined are mostly in the Northeast, a notable shift after the South and West dominated last year’s Realtor.com rankings. Processing Content Hartford, Connecticut, Rochester, New York, and Worcester, Massachusetts, topped the list, which examined the […]
The top housing markets in 2026 Read More »
Optimal Blue’s Market Volume Index, which tracks mortgage rate lock activity, fell below 100 in November for the first time since August, reflecting typical seasonal trends. Processing Content Still, aided by lower interest rates in the second half of the year, November marked the strongest reading for this metric since 2021, strong by any measure,
Lower rates drive best November lock activity in years Read More »
With affordability at the forefront of issues in the housing market, a Democratic senator looks to crack down on owners of manufactured housing communities. Processing Content Sen. Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire sent letters to six corporate owners of these communities Tuesday, looking for clarity on affordability and living conditions for their residents. Hassan, a
Senator presses corporate owners on manufactured home rents Read More »
Mortgage credit availability ended November at its loosest since August 2022, driven by additions of adjustable rate and cash-out refinance products to lenders’ menu, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. The 0.7% month-to-month rise in the Mortgage Credit Availability Index continues a streak which for every month in 2025 except January it was above the 100
ARM, refi products widen credit access Read More »
Freddie Mac is updating its guidelines to include explicit language requiring mortgage companies to establish a clear artificial intelligence framework governing the technology’s internal use. The new rules become effective on March 3, 2026 and mandates compliance with the policy for businesses using AI and machine-learning tools in connection with loans sold to or serviced
Freddie Mac issues updates mandating AI governance Read More »
Mortgage rates dropped almost 50 basis points in the third quarter, prompting more borrowers to refinance and retention rates on those customers to hit a three-and-a-half-year high, new industry data showed. Refinance retention reached 28% last quarter, the highest percentage since early 2022, and servicers held onto more than half of borrowers refinancing out of
Lower mortgage rates lift refi retention to 3.5-year high Read More »
Rithm, Rocket and Dynex are BTIG’s favorite mortgage stocks heading into 2026 following a strong year for the industry’s publicly traded companies in general, driven by an accommodative Federal Reserve policy. That allowed industry stocks to rebound after the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements in April. “We expect earnings and stock valuations across the mortgage sector
Rocket, Rithm and Dynex are BTIG’s favorite mortgage stocks Read More »
A key housing provision in the government defense spending bill currently under negotiation in Congress will expand the federal definition of manufactured housing and ultimately ease lending for such units if adopted. Tucked within the latest National Defense Authorization Act are new regulations to remove “permanent chassis” language in current codes. In addition to striking
Manufactured housing may get lending relief in defense bill Read More »
Affordability issues have forced potential homebuyers to the rental market in recent years, but a new industry report shows many prospective buyers have plans to purchase a home in 2026. A recent consumer survey conducted by Remax found 88% of respondents said they are “very” or “somewhat likely” to purchase a home next year. At
Demand builds for 2026 as home buyers wait for better prices Read More »
Mortgage rates again have moved lower, but given how the 10-year Treasury yield increased in the past eight days, prior to next week’s Fed meeting, this might be transitory. “Mortgage rates decreased for the second straight week as we emerged from the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist in a press release.
Mortgage rates move lower in advance of FOMC meeting Read More »