Freddie Mac

The Supreme Court wrestled Wednesday with a case that could make it easier for the president to fire the head of the agency that oversees government-controlled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Home loan rates have trended downward through most of this year, bolstering demand from would-be homebuyers.

A a study from mortgage lender Freddie Mac explains another particular demographic is more “financially educated” because they were kids when the 2008 economic crisis happened and understand the importance of owning a home.

The Fed is expected to announce Wednesday that it is cutting its benchmark interest rate by one quarter of a percentage point, its third rate cut this year. “When the Fed raises or reduces the cost of money, it affects interest rates across the board,” said Greg McBride Bankrate’s chief financial analyst. “One way or another, it’s going to impact...

The Trump administration has unveiled its plan for ending government control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two giant mortgage finance companies that nearly collapsed in the financial crisis 11 years ago and were bailed out at a total cost to taxpayers of $187 billion. The administration’s plan calls for returning Fannie and Freddie to private ownership and reducing...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates edged slightly lower this week, taking a pause after five straight weeks of increases. Costs for would-be homebuyers have been climbing, and the key 30-year rate has been running at its highest levels in more than seven years. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages ticked down to 4.71 percent...

U.S. sales of existing homes were unchanged in August, as a shortage of houses priced at less than $250,000 — a level considered to be affordable for the middle class — has become a drag on the real estate market. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that homes sold last month at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.34...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose for the second straight week, continuing to dampen prospects for potential homebuyers. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages jumped to 4.60 percent this week from 4.54 percent last week. Long-term loan rates have been running at their highest levels in seven years. The average benchmark 30-year rate reached...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates fell this week, offering a slight degree of relief to would-be homebuyers. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 4.52 percent from 4.55 percent a week ago. Rates have declined in five of the past six weeks. Still, the average rate has increased from a year ago...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates climbed upward this week, slightly worsening affordability for homebuyers. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages rose to 4.47 percent from 4.42 percent last week. This benchmark rate averaged 3.97 percent a year ago. With the start of the traditional spring homebuying season, people shopping for homes are dealing...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates are ticking up slightly this week, the 10th increase in the past 11 weeks. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 4.45 percent from 4.44 percent last week. Rates are relatively low by historical standards, but they’ve shot up from an average that remained below 4 percent...

Three federally-sponsored agencies announced Tuesday they are suspending foreclosures and evictions for 90 days on homes that have been affected by the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. Homeowners with mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the Federal Housing Administration qualify for relief on properties located within a “FEMA-declared disaster area that are eligible for FEMA...

Americans purchased homes in March at the fastest pace in over a decade, a strong start to the traditional spring buying season. Sales of existing homes climbed 4.4 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.71 million, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. This was the fastest sales rate since February 2007. The U.S. housing market...

Americans responded to higher mortgage rates by snapping up new homes in February at the fastest pace since July. New-home sales rose 6.1 percent month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 592,000, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That sales pace is nearly 13 percent higher than February of last year, a positive sign for the housing market that demand...

Builders broke ground on the most new homes in nine years last month, a response to strong demand that should lift the economy. Home construction soared 25.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted 1.3 million in October, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That is the biggest gain since July 1982. New construction is also at the highest level since August 2007,...

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates moved little this week, remaining near historically low levels in the wake of financial disarray in Europe. Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average for the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ticked up to 3.42 percent from 3.41 percent last week, staying close to its all-time low of 3.31 percent in November 2012. The average rate...