Weekly Housing Headlines

Mortgage applications increased 11% from one week earlier; Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index ticked up slightly to 69.2; U.S. housing inventory reached its highest level since the pandemic began; mortgage rates stayed put at levels reached last week; U.S. home price growth fell to a 13-year low in March; and first-time homebuyers accounted for 58% of agency purchase lending during the first quarter.

Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage Bankers Association - 5/7/2025
Mortgage applications increased 11.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 2, 2025.

Home Purchase Sentiment Remains Subdued in April
Realtor.com - 5/7/2025
In April, the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index ticked up slightly to 69.2, a slight improvement from March (68.1) but still a decline from April of last year (71.9).

Housing inventory hits post-pandemic high
Mortgage Professional America - 5/5/2025
The U.S. housing market continues to offer more breathing room for buyers, with inventory reaching its highest level since the pandemic began, according to Realtor.com’s April 2025 Housing Market Trends Report.

Mortgage Rates In U.S. Stay Stuck At 6.76%
Financial Advisor - 5/8/2025
Mortgage rates in the U.S. stayed put at levels reached last week, keeping the pressure high for home buyers. The average for 30-year, fixed loans was 6.76%, the same as a week earlier, Freddie Mac said in a statement Thursday.

Weekly Housing Trends View — Data for Week Ending May 3, 2025
Realtor.com - 5/8/2025
The number of homes for sale reached the highest level since 2019 last week, and new listings reached their highest level since mid-2022.

U.S. home price growth fell to a 13-year low in March
Scotsman Guide - 5/2/2025
While U.S. home prices continue to rise, the rate of growth hit a 13-year low in March, according to the latest Home Price Index report from First American Data & Analytics.

First-time homebuyers claimed record market share last quarter
Scotsman Guide - 5/5/2025
First-time homebuyers accounted for 58% of agency purchase lending during the first quarter, which is the highest share on record, according to a mortgage monitor report released Monday by Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

Home Repair Costs Climb, Adding To Mix Of Homebuying Considerations
National Mortgage Professional - 5/8/2025
According to the Q1 2025 Verisk Remodel Index, the average cost of home repairs has jumped 3.97% year-over-year and nearly 1% just since Q4 2024.

Redfin Reports Record-High Costs, Economic Unease Are Stunting This Spring’s Homebuying Season
Redfin - 5/8/2025
The median U.S. monthly housing payment hit an all-time high of $2,868 during the four weeks ending May 4, according to a new report from Redfin.

March Private Residential Construction Spending Dips
Eye On Housing - 5/2/2025
Private residential construction spending declined by 0.4% in March, largely driven by a decrease in home improvement spending.