U.S. real estate investors bought about 52,000 homes in the second quarter, the lowest level for that period since 2020, according to a report from Redfin. Purchases were down 6% from a year earlier — the largest drop since late 2023. Redfin, which analyzed purchase records across 39 major metropolitan areas, defines an investor as […]
Investor home purchases hit lowest second-quarter level since 2020 Read More »
Mortgage rates remain below the 50-year average, but most homebuyers see them as unusually high — a perception that is driving stress, delaying purchases, and reshaping major life decisions, according to a nationwide survey conducted in August. The survey of more than 1,000 buyers, released this week by Tomo Mortgage, highlights the gap between economic
Homebuyers strained by costs, confused about mortgage market Read More »
The impact of Trump-era tariffs on goods and services is starting to trickle through the economy, but for now, the effect on inflation appears minimal, raising expectations for a potential interest rate cut in the near term. The July Consumer Price Index, released Tuesday, showed headline price growth of 2.7% over the previous year, the
Fed faces key choice on rates after latest inflation report Read More »
Homeowners are seeing record levels of equity in their homes, and many are eager to use it. Mortgage originations hit their highest levels since 2022 driven in large part by purchases and cash-out refinances, according to Intercontinental Exchange’s August Mortgage Monitor. Cash-out loans made up 59% of all refinances, with borrowers pulling an average of
Homeowners tap record equity as rates ease Read More »
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will nominate Stephen Miran — his top economic adviser — to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve‘s Board of Governors following last week’s resignation of Adriana Kugler. Miran, who currently chairs the White House Council of Economic Advisers, is being appointed to serve the remainder of
Trump taps economic adviser Stephen Miran for Fed board seat Read More »
Consumer housing confidence improved slightly in July, with Americans feeling more confident about the economy even as many worry about whether they can buy a house themselves. Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index rose in July to 71.8, two points higher than June. That’s close to where it was a year ago and right in
Buyers are gloomy. Here’s what they might be missing Read More »
Getty Images President Donald Trump paid a rare visit to the Federal Reserve Board headquarters Thursday afternoon to confront Fed chair Jerome Powell over cost overruns related to a building renovation project that began in 2022. Trump and other members of his administration have raised the cost overruns related to the Federal Reserve’s renovation —
Trump, Powell tussle over renovation costs in rare visit Read More »
A jump in refinance activity lifted mortgage lock volumes last month, but purchase numbers may hold more promise for lenders. Total lock volume in June came in 2.11% higher month over month, according to the latest data from Mortgage Capital Trading. Rate-and-term refinance activity provided much of the momentum with a leap of 9.89%, as
Surging rate-and-terms push lock volumes upward Read More »
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Treasuries slipped across the curve Tuesday, pushing yields two to four basis points higher and the 30 year approaching 5% for the first time since May. Yields have been rising as investors pare bets on the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts following a jobs report that revealed a surprisingly resilient US labor market. Interest-rate
Treasuries extend drop as pressures build on longer-dated debt Read More »
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York building.Bloomberg News The Federal Reserve’s policy rate is a long way from its lowest point, but markets remain concerned about a return to zero interest rates, according to findings from the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and San Francisco. In an economic letter released Monday, reserve bank
NY Fed report: Return to zero rates a ‘significant’ risk Read More »