NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 1.8% Increase in February
March 21 2026 | |
“The slight gain in pending contracts appears to be driven by improved affordability conditions. However, those conditions could reverse if higher oil prices lead to an uptick in mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun.
|
|
New Home Sales Down in January on Weather Disruptions
March 19 2026 | |
“New home sales fell in January largely because of weather-related disruptions, even as mortgage rates eased modestly,” said Jing Fu, NAHB senior director of forecasting and analysis. “According to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged roughly around 6.1% during January, providing some relief for buyers. However affordability pressures, including economic uncertainty, elevated construction costs and tariff risks, continue to constrain activity.”
|
|
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
March 18 2026 | |
“Mortgage rates continued to move higher, driven by increasing Treasury yields as the conflict in the Middle East kept oil prices elevated, along with the risk of a broader inflationary shock. Mortgage rates increased across the board, with the 30-year fixed rate rising to 6.30 percent, the highest rate since December 2025,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
|
|
FOMC Commentary from MBA's Mike Fratantoni
March 18 2026 | |
“Ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has significantly increased uncertainty regarding the current and future state of the economy. The spike in oil prices has the potential to both accelerate inflation and weaken economic growth. Amid this uncertainty, the FOMC decided to hold rates steady at its March meeting and reiterated that they are attuned to risks on both sides of their dual mandate to keep the job market strong and prices stable."
|
|
New Title from NAHB's BuilderBooks Offers Advice on Using AI in Residential Construction
March 17 2026 | |
“Artificial intelligence is a growing part of our industry and is here to stay,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a Worthington, Ohio-based, remodeler and home builder. “This new resource will teach housing professionals how to better incorporate these tools into their business by streamlining processes and creating success through better management of data, decisions and time.”
|
|
Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
March 16 2026 | |
“Financial markets were volatile last week amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Mortgage rates increased on net over the week, while refinance volume was roughly flat. Borrowers in recent weeks were able to get 30-year conforming rates below 6 percent, but with the current volatility, longer-term rates have moved up, pushing up the 30-year fixed rate to 6.19 percent,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAR Applauds Senate Passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
March 12 2026 | |
“It has been nearly two decades since Congress last enacted a sweeping, bipartisan housing law. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was the last major federal effort to address housing challenges at scale. Today’s affordability crisis demands that same level of national focus."
|
|
|
|
NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 1.7% Increase in February
March 10 2026 | |
“Despite the modest gain in home sales, actual housing demand remains muted relative to wage growth and job gains,” Yun continued. “Wage growth is now outpacing home price growth by almost four percentage points. Mortgage rates are also measurably lower compared to a year ago.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALTA Supports Senate Efforts to Pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
March 05 2026 | |
“ALTA commends President Trump and congressional leaders for advancing bipartisan solutions that help expand housing opportunities for American families,” said ALTA CEO Chris Morton. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents an important effort to strengthen housing supply and modernize federal housing policy while ensuring the real estate system remains reliable and secure for homebuyers and lenders.”
|
|
|
|
Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
March 04 2026 | |
“Mortgage applications increased last week, driven by continued strength in refinance activity, as mortgage rates stayed near their lowest level since 2022,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Refinance applications increased for the fourth straight week to the strongest pace since 2022, with conventional refinances up 20 percent."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|