Weekly Housing Headlines

Mortgage credit availability increased in January; almost 5 million homeowners became eligible to refinance their home loans in early January; existing-home sales decreased by 8.4% in January; U.S. pending home sales fell 5.1% year over year during the four weeks ending February 8, the biggest decline in more than a year; mortgage rates matched their lowest level in more than two weeks; and mortgage applications were relatively flat over the week.

Mortgage Credit Availability Increased in January
Mortgage Bankers Association - 2/10/2026
Mortgage credit availability increased in January, as lenders broadened their offerings of ARM loans, cash out refinances and loans on second homes. Most of these require lower LTV and higher credit scores.

Mortgage affordability hits four-year peak, but market still ‘structurally challenged’: ICE
Scotsman Guide - 2/9/2026
Almost 5 million homeowners became eligible to refinance their home loans in early January when average rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages briefly dipped below 6%.

Realtors report a ‘new housing crisis’ as January home sales tank more than 8%
CNBC - 2/12/2026
High home prices, faltering supply and weaker consumer confidence all continue to weigh on the housing market. The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, is calling it “a new housing crisis.”

Redfin Reports Pending Home Sales Decline in All But 5 Major U.S. Metros
Redfin.com - 2/12/2026
U.S. pending home sales fell 5.1% year over year during the four weeks ending February 8, the biggest decline in over a year.

Mortgage Rates Match Lowest Levels in Over 2 Weeks
Mortgage News Daily - 2/6/2026
The past two and a half weeks have been marked by a narrow range in the bond market. Because bonds dictate mortgage rates, the latter have also been in a narrow range with average top tier 30-year fixed rates of 6.15-6.20%.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage Bankers Association - 2/11/2026
Mortgage applications were relatively flat over the week, but it was a mixed bag for the different loan types. The 30-year fixed rate was unchanged at 6.21 percent, and conventional applications declined for purchases and refinances.

Redfin Reports Homebuyers Need to Earn $35,000 More Than Renters to Afford Monthly Payments — the Smallest Gap in 3 Years
Redfin - 2/11/2026
Americans need to earn $111,252 per year to afford the typical U.S. home for sale. That’s 46.3 percent more than the $76,020 they need to afford the typical rental.

Foreclosure Filings Jump 32% From a Year Ago — These 2 Tourism States Rank Among the Highest in the Country
Realtor.com - 2/11/2026
"Foreclosure activity in January rose year over year for the 11th straight month, continuing a trend that has now carried into early 2026," says Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM.

Mortgage Delinquencies Increase in the Fourth Quarter of 2025
Mortgage Bankers Association - 2/12/2026
Mortgage applications were relatively flat over the week, but it was a mixed bag for the different loan types. The 30-year fixed rate was unchanged at 6.21 percent, and conventional applications declined for purchases and refinances.

Homebuyers brace to pivot as 94% tie 2026 plans to rate relief
Mortgage Professional America - 2/6/2026
A new survey of 1,000 would-be 2026 buyers from Best Interest Financial and Clever Real Estate found that 94% would change their plans if rates do not fall below 6% this year.