The low-downpayment mortgage should be more appealing to first-time buyers after FHA breathed “new life into the program” by reducing costs, says NAR. Source: Florida Realtors

The average 30-year FRM dropped from 4.32% last week to 4.20% this week, though the rate remains notably higher than the overall average 3.65% logged in 2016. Source: Florida Realtors

AFIRE survey: International institutional real estate investors – they manage $2 trillion-plus in real estate assets globally – plan to buy U.S. property this year. Source: Florida Realtors

Job growth should slow, but fewer workers will force many businesses to raise pay that, in turn, should boost housing demand. But the “Trump Effect” is still an unknown. Source: Florida Realtors

More small business owners are relocating to states like Florida to tap into an expected surge of baby boomers who are longing for warm climate retirement. Source: Florida Realtors

All things being equal – meaning the U.S. economy keeps improving and new batches of data prove it – the Fed might raise short-term interest rates again in March. Source: Florida Realtors

It’s the seventh week in a row for increases, and two out of three mortgage experts polled this week predict they’ll continue to rise over the short term. Source: Florida Realtors

The Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by a quarter point, which could impact some adjustable-rate mortgages and other consumer loans. Source: Florida Realtors

Most lenders, along with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, say they won’t evict homeowners going through foreclosure during the holiday season. Source: Florida Realtors

While higher rates would hurt buyers, they could also entice current owners not to move so they can keep enjoying their current lower-rate monthly payments. Source: Florida Realtors