New Home Sales Edge Higher as Affordability Challenges Persist
July 25 2026 | |
“New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”
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Title Insurance Protects More Than a Transaction. It Protects Property Rights
July 24 2026 | |
“Consumers shouldn't have to choose between affordability and protection. The strongest housing market is one that delivers both,” said ALTA CEO Chris Morton. “When people look at title insurance only as a closing cost, they miss the larger story. The real value lies in the defects discovered, the fraud prevented and the property rights protected. A refinance may not change who owns the property, but it doesn't eliminate the risks that can arise after a home is purchased.”
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MBA Announces CONVERGENCE® Baltimore
July 22 2026 | |
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), in partnership with the CONVERGENCE Collaborative today announced the launch of CONVERGENCE Baltimore, a new place-based initiative designed to increase sustainable homeownership opportunities by bringing together local and national stakeholders to address barriers to housing access throughout the Baltimore region.
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Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
July 22 2026 | |
“Mortgage rates reached another high point last week, with the 30-year conforming rate now at 6.69 percent, its highest level since last August,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist. “However, purchase volume increased modestly for the week. Growing home inventory in many markets is supporting more purchase activity. Incoming data showed that inflation dropped in June, but with oil prices spiking again, that improvement seems unlikely to continue in July data, and mortgage rates are likely to remain higher as a result.”
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June New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 2.4 Percent
July 16 2026 | |
“Applications to purchase new homes continued to run stronger than last year’s pace. However, there was a decline from the previous month, which was consistent with the typical seasonal pattern at this time of the year,” said Joel Kan, CMB, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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Builder Sentiment Stays Weak as Affordability Concerns Persist
July 16 2026 | |
“Many potential buyers remain on the sidelines as they wait for lower mortgage rates, more certainty on inflation and a clearer economic outlook,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “The recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act contains important provisions on land-use and zoning, regulatory reform and financing tools that address obstacles facing builders and buyers, but these reforms will take time to implement.”
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NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 5.4% Decrease in June
July 16 2026 | |
“The highest mortgage rates in nearly a year and the record-high national median home price together are contributing to a tepid housing market that is especially difficult for first-time homebuyers,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “However, job gains can help support housing demand.”
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
July 15 2026 | |
“Mortgage applications declined as the 30-year fixed rate increased to 6.65 percent, the highest level since August 2025. Purchase applications were down over the week and dipped below last year’s pace in the week following the July 4th holiday,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Awards $10,000 Emergency Grant to Support Wildland Firefighter Families
July 13 2026 | |
The American Land Title Association Good Deeds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by ALTA, the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, today announced a $10,000 emergency grant to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides financial assistance and other resources to the families of wildland firefighters who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.
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ALTA Celebrates 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becoming Law
July 11 2026 | |
“ALTA congratulates Chairman Tim Scott, Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren, Chairman French Hill, Ranking Member Maxine Waters and congressional leaders for advancing this historic legislation,” said ALTA CEO Chris Morton. “This is a big win for the American people. Homeownership is one of the most important ways families build stability, security and generational wealth, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step toward helping more Americans achieve that dream.”
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New NAR Survey Finds Americans Value Neighborhood Walkability
July 10 2026 | |
A new survey by the National Association of REALTORS® shows that Americans value walkability, mixed-used neighborhoods and a broad range of housing choices. Demand for smart-growth features, such as access to parks, shops, restaurants, schools and workplaces, is real—and many Americans are willing to pay more for them.
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NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 2.4% Decrease in June
July 09 2026 | |
“The median home price has reached an all-time high. Even so, affordability is better than a year ago because wage growth is outpacing home price growth,” Yun continued. “However, progress on long-term housing affordability could be hampered if inventory growth continues to stall. Without consistent gains in inventory, home prices can accelerate. It is critical to introduce more supply to the market to widen the opportunity for homeownership.”
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Remodeling Market Sentiment Remains in Positive Territory in Second Quarter
July 09 2026 | |
“Remodeler sentiment has been positive and stable over the past year,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Elliott Pike, a remodeler from Homewood, Ala. “The major headwinds that are preventing an even stronger remodeling market include rising costs, political and economic uncertainty, and difficulty obtaining financing with favorable interest rates for larger projects.”
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
July 08 2026 | |
“Mortgage application volume was little changed during the week of the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration, as the 30-year fixed rate increased slightly to 6.58 percent,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist.
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NAR Statement On the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and More Homes on the Market Act
July 03 2026 | |
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help increase housing supply, improve affordability, expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers, and empower more families to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. After nearly two years of work, we have a historic opportunity to strengthen our housing market, expand access to homeownership, and create lasting economic opportunity by enacting this legislation into law."
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MBA Statement on FHFA and GSEs' Release of Historical Credit Score Data
July 01 2026 | |
“MBA welcomes the release of updated historical credit score data to support the implementation of VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T and appreciates the continued leadership of FHFA Director William Pulte and the GSEs in advancing this effort. Making this information available is a significant milestone that will help lenders, investors, and technology providers prepare for a successful transition to a fully modernized credit scoring framework."
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Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
July 01 2026 | |
“Mortgage rates eased slightly last week as oil prices declined. As a result, mortgage applications increased modestly, with an uptick in purchase activity offsetting a smaller decline in refinances,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Purchase applications remain ahead of 2025’s pace and have exhibited year-over-year growth for almost three months, as prospective homebuyers are finding opportunities in markets with ample inventory and easing home-price growth."
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NAR Statement On Sweeping Tax Reform Bill One Year Later
July 01 2026 | |
"One year after becoming law, the tax provisions included in this legislation continue to benefit homeowners, consumers, and small businesses while helping make homeownership more affordable and accessible. By preserving the mortgage interest deduction, extending lower individual tax rates and the qualified business income deduction, protecting 1031 like-kind exchanges and business SALT deductions, and increasing the SALT deduction cap, these policies continue to support families, strengthen local economies, and promote investment in housing."
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