Weekly Housing Headlines

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.03% as of September 24, up from 6.95% a week earlier; mortgage applications decreased 1.5% from one week earlier; August new-home sales rose more than 6% from July levels to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000 units; the national median home sale price reached $395,000 in August, a 2.1% year-over-year gain; and the national median down payment in Q2 2026 climbed to $27,100, or 13.7% of the typical purchase price.

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Mortgage rates top 7% for first time since January 2025
Mortgage Professional America - 9/24/2026
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.03% as of September 24, up from 6.95% a week earlier, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage Bankers Association - 9/23/2026
Mortgage applications decreased 1.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending September 18, 2026.

New-home sales rebound in August despite rising rates
Scotsman Guide - 9/24/2026
Rising more than 6% from July levels, the pace of new-home sales climbed to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 684,000 units, according to preliminary estimates published Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Home prices rise in August as buyers grow more selective
Mortgage Professional America - 9/22/2026
The national median home sale price reached $395,000 in August, a 2.1% year-over-year gain, even as sales volume declined and the number of available homes continued to expand, according to Homes.com's national housing market report.

Down Payments Surge as Homebuyers Seek Shield From Rising Mortgage Rates
Realtor.com - 9/24/2026
The latest downpayment report from Realtor.com shows that the national median down payment in Q2 2026 climbed to $27,100, or 13.7% of the typical purchase price, up from 12.9% at the start of the year.

10 things to know about the property market: September 2026
Cotality - 9/24/2026
Price momentum remains split by region, and elevated interest rates are keeping refinance opportunities scarce, pushing some borrowers toward ARMs for payment relief.

Gen Z homebuyers most willing to cut lifestyle costs to afford a home, Cotality study finds
Cotality - 9/23/2026
According to Cotality's Consumer Sentiment Report, 78% said they are prepared to reduce discretionary expenses to reach ownership. That edges out Millennials at 77% and far outpaces Baby Boomers, at just 50%.

People Are Moving Less Than Ever – and It’s Costing Them Career and Lifestyle Upgrades
Realtor.com - 9/23/2026
According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the nation’s residential mobility rate has fallen to a historic low of roughly 11%, down from the 20% annual mover rate recorded during the mid-20th century.

The housing market is shifting toward buyers. They’re still not feeling it
CNN Business - 9/21/2026
After years of sellers holding the upper hand, the U.S. housing market is subtly shifting in buyers’ favor. But many are still reluctant to make a move.

The Best Week To Buy Is Almost Here. Are Your Borrowers Ready?
National Mortgage Professional - 9/21/2026
Realtor.com projects more inventory, less competition and lower listing prices next week, giving originators a short window to revisit sidelined borrowers.