NAR Existing-Home Sales Report Shows 1.5% Increase in September
October 26 2025 | |
Existing-home sales increased by 1.5% month-over-month in September, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report. The Report provides the real estate ecosystem, including agents and homebuyers and sellers, with data on the level of home sales, price, and inventory.
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Mortgage Applications Decreased in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 22 2025 | |
“The lowest mortgage rates in a month spurred an increase in refinance activity, including another pickup in ARM applications. The 30-year fixed rate decreased to 6.37 percent and all other loan types also decreased,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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NAR Statement on Zillow's App for ChatGPT
October 21 2025 | |
"Implementing and integrating new technologies, like artificial intelligence (A.I.), into the home-buying and selling process has the potential to better serve consumers by enhancing the exposure of MLS listings and improving property search. Provided the use of technology is in accordance with MLS rules and data license agreements, NAR recognizes the importance that innovation plays in fostering more transparent, competitive, and fair housing markets."
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September New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 2.0 Percent
October 16 2025 | |
“MBA’s estimate of new home sales for September showed a 7 percent decline to an annual pace of 680,000 units after reaching a 10-month high in August. Given the current delay of the U.S. Census new home sales release due to the ongoing government shutdown, MBA’s estimate provides a leading indicator of the direction of the new home sales market for September,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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Amid Market Challenges, Builder Expectations Rise in October
October 16 2025 | |
“While recent declines for mortgage rates are an encouraging sign for affordability conditions, the market remains challenging,” said NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes, a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C. “The housing market has some areas with firm demand, including smaller builders shifting to remodeling and ongoing solid conditions for the luxury market. However, most home buyers are still on the sidelines, waiting for mortgage rates to move lower.”
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Mortgage Applications Decreased in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 15 2025 | |
“Mortgage rate movements were mixed last week, with the 30-year fixed rate decreasing slightly to 6.42 percent. Mortgage applications were lower than the week before, as conventional and VA applications saw declines,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “FHA applications saw a stronger week, and FHA refinance applications in particular increased 12 percent as the FHA rate stayed more than 10 basis points lower than the conventional fixed rate."
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FinCEN Renews Residential Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders
October 12 2025 | |
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced the renewal of its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases of residential real estate. The GTOs are effective beginning October 10, 2025.
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NotaryCam's eClose 360 platform supports MISMO's SMART Doc v3 standard for electronic HELOCs
October 10 2025 | |
“By ensuring our platform is compatible with MISMO’s eHELOC standard, we are enabling lenders and settlement partners to confidently bring digital mortgage innovation to the home equity market,” said Brian Webster, president and CEO of NotaryCam. “Our eClose360 platform delivers the consistency and compliance required for eHELOC originations while maintaining the speed, security and borrower-friendly experience lenders expect from modern closings.”
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NAR Applauds Senate Passage of the ROAD to Housing Act
October 10 2025 | |
"NAR applauds the Senate for passing this bipartisan legislation that addresses housing supply, affordability and homeownership pathways. At a time when homeownership increasingly feels out of reach, this legislation offers meaningful, pragmatic solutions to restore opportunity for millions of American families. We commend Chair Senator Tim Scott and Ranking Member Senator Elizabeth Warren for their bipartisan leadership on this critical issue."
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American Land Title Association Elects David Townsend as President
October 09 2025 | |
With more than 20 years of experience in the title insurance industry, Townsend brings proven expertise and a track record of service to the position. After founding Agents National Title Insurance Co. in 2005, he served much of his career as its president and CEO until it was acquired by Essent Group Ltd. in 2023. Since then, Townsend has been the senior vice president agency division manager for the FNF Family of Companies.
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Remodeling Market Sentiment Improves in Third Quarter
October 09 2025 | |
“Overall, remodelers remain optimistic about the market, although slightly less optimistic than they were at this time last year,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison, a remodeler from Raleigh, N.C. “The most significant headwinds they are facing include high material and labor costs, as well as economic and political uncertainty making some of their potential customers cautious about moving forward with remodeling projects.”
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ALTA Good Deeds Foundation Awards $105K, Pays Tribute to Chair Mary O'Donnell
October 08 2025 | |
This round of giving was bittersweet for the Foundation, which recently lost a trailblazer and champion. Mary O’Donnell, Foundation board chair, ALTA past president and president and CEO of Westcor Land Title Insurance Co., passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 4. O’Donnell was instrumental in the creation and early success of the Foundation, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and service.
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Mortgage Applications Decreased in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 08 2025 | |
“With mortgage rates on fixed-rate loans little changed last week, refinance application activity generally declined, with the exception of a modest increase for FHA refinance applications,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist “Refinance volume remains somewhat elevated relative to levels of a month ago. Purchase activity declined by about 1 percent for the week but continues to show moderate growth on an annual basis, and stronger growth for FHA loans, favored by first-time homebuyers."
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Stewart Announces FINCEN Reporting Services
October 08 2025 | |
“Our FINCEN Reporting Services platform was built with direct input from industry leaders and compliance experts to provide our title and closing customers with peace of mind in meeting these new regulatory requirements,” said Don Booher, Vice President, Stewart Ancillary Services. “By automating and streamlining AML reporting, FRS minimizes risk, reduces manual effort, and delivers secure, reliable compliance for every transaction.”
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Mortgage Applications Decreased in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 01 2025 | |
“Mortgage rates increased to their highest level in three weeks as Treasury yields pushed higher on recent, stronger than expected economic data. After the burst in refinancing activity over the past month, this reversal in mortgage rates led to a sizeable drop in refinance applications, consistent with our view that refinance opportunities this year will be short-lived,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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