Mortgage rates stay subdued as housing reform issues grab the spotlight

Rates for home loans were little changed near long-time lows, providing a little breathing room for would-be buyers even as policymakers are increasingly taking an interest in housing matters.

Lower mortgage rates are helping the housing market. Applications for mortgages, for both purchases and refinances, jumped in the most recent week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. VA loans surged 14%, perhaps because Congress is currently considering legislation that would pay for benefits for Vietnam War veterans by raising the guarantee fees on new mortgages, as reported last summer.

And the long-standing issues facing the housing market are also grabbing attention. The National Association of Home Builders on Wednesday commended Democratic Senator Mike Thompson “for raising concerns... that tariffs on Chinese goods represent a $1 billion tax on housing and harm housing affordability” at a trade hearing.

Property Property Latest News, Property Property Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Mortgage rates fall to one-year low, setting the stage for a sunny spring selling seasonRates for home loans continued their downward trajectory, helped by concerns about the global economy, even as they boosted American house-hunters’ buying power.
Source: MarketWatch - 🏆 3. / 97 Read more »

Weekly mortgage applications jump 5.3% as lower rates seem here to stayMortgage application volume increased 5.3 percent last week from the previous week and was 0.4 percent higher than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association says. So are the rising applications in the JUMBO zone? How about blue collar loan applications? Homes under 400k, for instance. Purchasing demand noted as down. Maybe RE investors are lining up to buy low. If lower rates are here to stay, what's the rush?
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Ghost towns: 30 zip codes with the highest vacancy rates in the US24/7 Wall St. reviewed unoccupied family homes as of the end of the third quarter in 2018 to identify the 30 ZIP codes with the highest vacancy rates. Wow ,,, the Bible only speak’s of one ghost that we know of ,, could this be where He lives No disrespect to the town of Flint or Gary, but if I was a ghost I’ll reside at Belleair Beach FL 👻
Source: USATODAY - 🏆 100. / 63 Read more »

Home-Price Growth at Slowest Pace in Four YearsSlower price growth could be good news for the housing market in the crucial spring months if it pulls buyers back into the market, especially if mortgage rates, which have fallen recently, remain low. Inflation should show up in house prices so I'd be surprised to see a drop. I feel we need to make housing more affordable for low income individuals, to survive. One thing that I firmly believe if socialism serves, a common theme in America is everyone should have the basic survival nesesities, to live. Like Food, Clothing, Housing ect. Good news 👍
Source: WSJ - 🏆 98. / 63 Read more »