The number of Americans seeking a home mortgage to purchase a home or refinance an existing loan increased 0.5 percent last week, according to a weekly report issued today by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

The sale of newly constructed homes in the month of July rose 2.4%, according to a report issued today by the United States Census Bureau. This follows a report issued Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors indicating that July sales of previously owned homes hit a 5-month high.

The National Association of Realtors announced today that Existing Home Sales rebounded in July to a 5-month high. The report, which measures the month-over-month sale of previously owned homes, indicated sales of such homes increased 3.1 percent possibly influenced by FHA Loans.

Selling your home this fall? Historically, the fall season brings on slower home sale activity. Here's how to make your home the highlight of the house-hunt. While curb appeal is still very important, what you do on the inside of your home can be equally as powerful.

For the second consecutive week, overall home mortgage activity fell 1.5 percent, according to a report issued today by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

What can homeowners and homeowner hopefuls do to lower their interest rate? A temporary rate buy-down paid by your lender! Some lenders are offering a temporary buy-down version of FHA mortgages. What’s a temporary buy-down? The program gives clients who are purchasing a home a reduced interest rate for up to the first two years that they’re in their home.

Last year, FHA rolled out FHASecure, a loan program designed to help homeowners with adjusting ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) get a fixed rate. Last month, FHA re-launched FHA Secure with some fresh new guidelines aimed at helping even more homeowners.

The Mortgage Bankers Association announced this morning that the number of people applying for a mortgage last week fell 1.5% as compared to the one that preceded it. While applications to purchase a home were flat, applications to refinance an existing mortgage fell 4.2%

Knowing when to lock mortgage interest rates is extremely important and something everyone interest in buying a home or refinancing should understand. Today's audio news stories talks about locking rates and what you need to know to make the best decisions.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced today that it will maintain its Fed Funds rate at 2.0 percent. This is the rate at which banks loan money to one another, impacts mortgage rates for adjustable rate mortgages and home equity lines of credit.