Access to mortgage credit isn’t fixed. There are times when it’s easier to obtain a loan and times when it’s more difficult. That’s why the Mortgage Bankers Association tracks mortgage credit availability each month with its Mortgage Credit Availability Index. The index tracks whether access to credit is loosening or tightening based on current lending standards and loan programs. Any increase in the index is indicative of loosening credit, while declines indicate lending standards are tightening. According to the … [Read more...]

One way to measure housing market health is to look at months of supply. Months of supply refers to how long it would take to sell all the homes available for sale at the current sales pace. When months of supply is low, it benefits sellers. When it’s high, buyers are in control. A six-month supply is considered a balanced housing market and, according to one new analysis, we’re getting close. The National Association of Realtors’ consumer website’s August housing report found there’s currently a five-month supply … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates fell last week from the week before. Rates were down across all loan categories, including 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says rates are now at an almost one-year low. “Mortgage rates declined for the second consecutive week as … [Read more...]

Each month, Fannie Mae conducts a survey of Americans to gauge home buying sentiment. Its Home Purchase Sentiment Index asks participants for their feelings about the housing market and overall economy, including home prices, mortgage rates, and whether they think it’s a good or bad time to buy or sell a home. In August, the index was relatively flat from the month before, with overall sentiment less than a point lower than July. But while the overall index was flat, there were some big swings in sentiment, … [Read more...]

Choosing a home to buy can be difficult enough without trying to assess how likely it is that the property will be hit by a natural disaster. To some extent, it’s impossible to say. But while buyers may tend to focus more on a home’s features and amenities, a new report from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website says they shouldn’t underestimate potential hazards. In fact, the analysis found 26 percent of U.S. homes can be considered vulnerable to flooding, wildfire, or hurricane winds. That … [Read more...]

Spring is the season when the housing market heats up. Buyer demand rises and so does the number of homes for sale. Homeowners who list in spring expect bigger premiums and the data shows they typically get them, as spring sellers are known to do better than those listing at slower times of the year. But that doesn’t mean potential home sellers can wait until next year to start planning. In fact, according to a new analysis from the National Association of Realtors’ consumer website, if you want to sell next … [Read more...]

As home buyers, it’s easy to focus only on what you need to get to the closing table. But while you obviously need to have your finances in order if you want to successfully close a transaction, you also need to have them in order if you want to successfully transition from home buyer to homeowner. Why? Well, according to one recent analysis, the costs of homeownership are significant and extend well beyond your monthly mortgage payment. The analysis found non-mortgage expenses like home and flood insurance, … [Read more...]

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Applications Survey, average mortgage rates fell across all loan categories last week from one week earlier. Rates were down for 30-year fixed-rate loans with both conforming and jumbo balances, loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 15-year fixed-rate loans, and 5/1 ARMs. Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says rates are now at the lowest level since spring. “Mortgage rates declined last week, with the 30-year fixed rate … [Read more...]

Mortgage payments were more affordable in July, according to new data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The group’s monthly Purchase Applications Payment Index, which measures payments relative to income, found the national median mortgage payment applied for by prospective home buyers fell to $2,127 in July from $2,172 in June. Edward Seiler, MBA’s associate vice president, housing economics, and executive director, Research Institute for Housing America, says mortgage rates are still elevated but purchase … [Read more...]

Mortgage activity saw a spring spike this year, according to newly released numbers from ATTOM Data Solutions. ATTOM’s Q2 2025 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report shows 1.76 million mortgages were issued during the second quarter – a 19.4 percent increase from the previous quarter. Rob Barber, ATTOM’s CEO, says the gains may be more attributable to a seasonal bounce than a breakout. “Mortgage activity perked up a bit in the second quarter, but it’s not a clear signal that the market has turned a … [Read more...]