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The median U.S. home price is $403,200, often requiring a 3-5% down payment. Alternatives to saving a large down payment include USDA loans (0% down for eligible rural buyers), VA loans (for veterans and military personnel), homebuyer assistance programs offering down payment aid, rent-to-own agreements where rent contributes to purchase, and seller financing where the…

Mortgage rates fell to 6.43% for 30-year fixed loans, down from 6.49% the previous week and 6.67% a year ago. For a median-priced $429,500 home with 20% down, monthly payments dropped to about $2,156, saving $54 monthly compared to last year. FHA borrowers with 3.5% down pay around $2,601 monthly, saving $65 monthly versus last…

The Federal Reserve may cut interest rates in 2026, potentially improving borrowing conditions. However, mortgage rates are mainly influenced by Treasury yields, inflation expectations, and investor confidence, not directly by the Fed. Therefore, any decline in mortgage rates is expected to be gradual. Prospective homebuyers are advised to focus on financial readiness instead of waiting…

In Q2 2026, commercial loan closings kept momentum, with loan counts ↑11% yearly and avg. loan size ↑5%, while spreads and LTVs tightened. The lending index ended Q2 2026 at 1.0, below its Q1 five-yr high of 1.5 yet still above the prior yearly 1.3 reading. Pricing competition intensified as commercial loan spreads narrowed ↓21…

Recently, US purchase mortgage rates eased and stayed below refinance offers, with 30-yr fixed in the mid-6% range and 15-yr near 6%. National refinance pricing also stayed mostly in the 6% range, with 30-yr fixed above purchase loans while 15-yr and 7/1 products looked similar. ARMs still offered competitive opening pricing, but they fit best…

New US condo lending rules took effect on August 3, pushing lenders to scrutinize association finances, reserve funding, and maintenance more closely before approving purchases. Associations now need larger repair reserves, rising from ~10% to ~15% of annual budgets, and many condos lost the simplified review shortcut. Most condo deals now require a fuller project…

First-time homebuyers made up 49% of purchase mortgages in 2025, down from 56% in 2022, despite rising home prices and incomes. Their median home price was $345,741 with a median income of $77,208 and a 4.85% down payment. Repeat buyers purchased more expensive homes at a median price of $482,000 with a median income of…

Mortgage refinance demand has surged by 20% compared to last year, indicating many homeowners are seeking to improve their financial situations. This increase occurs despite recent interest rate fluctuations, suggesting other factors motivate refinancing. Even small reductions in interest rates can lead to significant long-term savings, making refinancing an attractive option for many borrowers. Continue…

Mortgage applications remained nearly flat, rising 0.04% as a slight drop in oil prices lowered the 30-year fixed rate to 6.57%, boosting purchase applications by 1% while refinance activity fell 1%. Purchase applications were 3% higher than the previous year, supported by improved inventory and cooling home-price growth. Adjustable-rate mortgage demand dropped to 7.6%, the…

Affordability had largely stabilized after several difficult years, but the typical US household still earned well below what was needed to comfortably buy a home. The gap narrowed because household income growth slightly outpaced housing costs, making purchase budgets somewhat easier to manage even as overall affordability remained strained. Housing costs took a smaller share…