The spread between the 10-year Treasury yields and 30-year fixed mortgage rates tightened at the end of 2025, largely driven by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increasing their holdings of mortgage-backed securities, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods report claimed. Processing Content But a bigger picture issue overhanging the increase in portfolio size is should the […]
Mortgage spreads are narrowing, but for which reason? Read More »
I have often debated whether the mortgage rate lockdown is real or just another housing myth. At first glance, the lockdown theory seems like common sense, so when mortgage rates jumped from 3% to 7% in 2022, it was logical to wonder why anyone would choose to sell their home. People with low rates seemed
New homeowner data challenges mortgage rate lockdown theory Read More »
The nation’s private mortgage insurers are adequately capitalized to deal with the housing market’s challenges during 2026, so on balance they have a neutral outlook for next year, Fitch Ratings said. Processing Content “We expect strong borrower credit profiles, relatively stable employment levels, and persistent home price appreciation to help mitigate pressures from ongoing housing-affordability
MI, title firms positioned well for 2026’s challenges: Fitch Read More »
The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is ending 2025 at its lowest point for the year, but still in the same flat range it occupied since late October, according to Freddie Mac. Processing Content The rate for this mortgage averaged 6.15% on Dec. 31, down from last week when it was at 6.18%, the Freddie Mac
Conforming mortgage rate ends year at low point Read More »
2026 is upon us and for this year, I want to keep the housing discussion very simple. As active inventory has returned to near-normal levels and home-price growth has cooled, we are entering a year when buyers, sellers and buyers-to-be are on a much better footing than in the unhealthy housing markets of 2020 to
Logan Mohtashami’s 2026 housing forecast 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 »
Key Insight: One of the most consequential developments will be President Donald Trump’s choice to replace Fed Gov. Stephen Miran, because whomever Trump selects is likely to also serve as the next Fed chairman after Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term expires in May. Expert Quote: “If the FOMC is no longer acting purely neutrally with
The coming year will be pivotal for the Federal Reserve Read More »
Purchase application data had its first positive year in many years in 2025, meaning we had more positive than negative week-to-week data, and most of the year was positive year over year in almost every weekly print. However, existing home sales will likely be only slightly higher in 2025 than in 2024. So how could
Why 2025’s strong purchase application data didn’t boost home sales Read More »
Mortgage applications decreased 5.0% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Dec. 19, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 6% compared with the previous week. The refinance index decreased 6% from the previous week and was 110% higher than
Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline Read More »
Homes in Centreville, Maryland.Nathan Howard/Bloomberg Home loan applications fell in consecutive weeks for the first time in two months, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Processing Content The MBA’s Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, dropped 5% on a seasonally-adjusted basis from one week prior for the period ending Dec. 19.
Mortgage applications decline for second consecutive week Read More »