Mortgage rates continued to rise this week, placing more strain on a 2026 spring housing market that was expected to be robust but is now fighting an uphill battle against a slowing economy. Mortgage News Daily reported Monday that 30-year fixed rates averaged 6.55%. That was up 6 basis points from a week earlier but […]
Inflation fears keep mortgage rates in the mid-6% range Read More »
U.S. consumer prices increased moderately from January to February, with annualized inflation holding steady, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% over the 12 months ending in February, unchanged from January. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index increased 0.3% during the month. Core
February’s CPI report reveals steady annual inflation of 2.4% Read More »
First American Title is offering customers a free property title monitoring and fraud alert service, citing growing concerns about real estate crime and identity-based property theft. The service alerts homeowners to new public record filings — such as deeds or liens — that could affect property ownership. Losses tied to cybercrime exceeded $13.7 billion in
First American launches free title monitoring, fraud alerts Read More »
As the title insurance industry moves into 2026, executives say it faces a complex mix of market pressures, regulatory shifts and escalating fraud risks. Leading executives who sat down with HousingWire are focusing on technology, operational efficiency and agent support — aiming to keep operations resilient while preparing for market recovery. Ryan Swed, group president
Title insurance leaders betting on technology, efficiency in 2026 Read More »
Mortgage rate movement remains stuck in neutral as 2025 comes to an end, but the U.S. housing market has shown signs of life during a traditionally slow period. On Monday, Mortgage News Daily reported an average 30-year fixed rate of 6.19%, down 5 basis points from a week earlier. And on Tuesday, HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates
Will stable mortgage rates and home prices set the table for a strong 2026? Read More »
After a year of easing mortgage rates and slightly improved affordability, the U.S. housing market heads into 2026 with expectations for steady, if uneven, progress. First American deputy chief economist Odeta Kushi said a broader reset remains gradual. “There are no quick fixes — recoveries take time,” she said. “The trends of 2025 will continue
First American’s 2026 housing market forecast points to better affordability Read More »
Falling mortgage rates during the third quarter of 2025 were certainly a boon for the Big Four title insurance firms who all saw title insurance revenue rise year-over-year during the quarter. At First American, which released its earnings in late October, company-wide revenue was up 41% annually to $2.0 billion, while net income rose to
Title insurance revenue rises for Big Four firms in Q3 2025 Read More »
Title insurers generated $4.5 billion in premiums during the second quarter of 2025, up from $4.1 billion a year earlier, according to the American Land Title Association’s (ALTA) latest Market Share Analysis. “The title insurance industry continues to demonstrate resilience and reliability, even as the broader real estate market faces headwinds,” said ALTA CEO Chris
Title insurance premiums rise to $4.5B in Q2 Read More »
The number of new-home sales in July may have only fallen slightly from a month prior, but it is meaningfully lower than a year ago, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. New-home sales dropped to 652,000 units in July, down 0.6% from
New-home sales continue to slide in July, bringing down prices Read More »
Nationally, existing home sales remain muted even as housing inventory grows, according to a new First American analysis of the 75 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Inventory in July was nearly 20% higher than a year ago, yet the flow of new listings rose only 5% compared with 2024. That distinction matters, said Odeta Kushi, deputy
First American: Existing home sales remain subdued Read More »