The latest home price and affordability data report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) released Aug. 4 shows more than 80% of metro markets (176 out of 221) saw home-price increases in the second quarter of 2026, an increase from 71% in the first quarter, while 5% of metro areas recorded double-digit price gains,…
The continued summer slowdown in the housing market could see an uptick in transactions before fall, but economists are pointing to an array of economic and geopolitical headwinds that could possibly drive mortgage rates even higher as the spark. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate (FRM) rose another 8 basis points this week to 6.66%,…
Despite near annual highs of the 30-year average mortgage rate, home-purchase application activity had been holding steady or even modestly increasing in recent weeks, attributed to the rise in home inventory. That trajectory flipped this week with a dip in mortgage applications as rates hit another record high since last August. The latest Market Composite…
Editor’s Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia’s biweekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it every other Friday afternoon. – During the back half of July, mortgage rates have climbed to their highest levels since August 2025, with the 30 year fixed rate hovering above 6.5%. Despite this rise, attributed to renewed escalation…
The typical summer sales slowdown is being made worse, economists say, by renewed geopolitical tension in the Middle East, putting upward pressure on inflation and causing more financial strain for would-be buyers. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate (FRM) rose 3 basis points to 6.58% from 6.55% last week, and the 15-year FRM averaged 5.96%,…
Economists touted regional improvements to housing inventory for the increase in home-purchase application activity this week but cautioned the uptick will likely be short-lived with oil prices rising as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The latest Market Composite Index from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)—its measure of mortgage loan activity…
Economists say renewed doubt about a resolution to the war in Iran kept Treasury yields and thus mortgage rates elevated this past week with the average 30-year hitting its highest point since August of 2025. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate (FRM) rose 6 basis points to 6.55% from 6.49% last week, and the 15-year…
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Mixed signals continue coming from the U.S. housing market, as the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported this week that home-purchase applications decreased for a second week while refinances increased, even as rates hit their highest point since August of last year. The latest Market Composite Index from the MBA—its measure of mortgage loan activity volume…
Mortgage rates shifted slightly upward this week due to elevated inflation, and the hope for relief may be further delayed, according to the latest data from Freddie Mac. The latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® saw the 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) average 6.49%, up from 6.43% last week when it was at the lowest level…
As housing affordability challenges remain, the square footage of new homes is shrinking as buyers are learning to prioritize. Per findings from the economics team of data platform Zonda Home (published by New Home Source), the average new home is about 2,175 square feet as of December 2025. This is about 125 feet smaller than…
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