According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were relatively flat last week across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Despite this, however, demand for mortgage applications was …
View MoreAmong the many barometers of housing-market health, one of the more significant indicators is new home construction. Especially in areas where there are more buyers than homes for sale, the number of new homes being built can make a difference in how quickly prices rise and how many choices buyers …
View MoreIn recent years, there's been an increasing number of older Americans who rent rather than own their own home. But is renting really a better choice for retirees looking to reduce costs and obligations? Well, not necessarily. While it's true that homeownership brings with it ongoing expenses like routine maintenance …
View MoreAffordability is the number one concern of prospective home buyers. Sure, there are a lot of things on a buyer's mind when they begin looking for a home to purchase but things like the number of bedrooms in a house or the size of the kitchen don't really matter if …
View MoreAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, demand for home purchase loans was at its highest level since October 2015 last week. The increase was credited to Americans feeling better about their job security and financial situation. “Continuing strength in the job market and improving consumer confidence drove …
View MoreLast year, first-time home buyers spent 22 percent more renovating their new house than buyers the year before. The increase shows a significant spike in younger buyers who are willing to take on the challenge of buying a fixer-upper. But what's behind the surge? Well, one obvious reason to …
View MoreWhen home prices were low and mortgage credit was tighter, hopeful home shoppers worried they might not be able to qualify for a home loan. These days, mortgage credit is more available and home price increases have taken the lead as the biggest affordability concern among potential home buyers. The …
There's new evidence that younger Americans are beginning to form households of their own at a faster rate than before. And, though young adults are more likely to become renters before they become buyers, the rate at which millennials are pursuing homeownership really depends more on where they live than …
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates were up last week, rising across all loan categories. Though rates remain low overall, they moved up slightly for 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, and 15-year fixed-rate …
There are steps to buying a home. You don't just find a house, make an offer, and move in as soon as it's accepted. In fact, though having an offer accepted is a big step, it's really just the first of the closing process. There are many things that need …