Mortgage Services

Both the FHFA and the S&P/Cotality Case-Shiller home-price indices released new data this week. The message remains consistent: home prices are still higher than a year ago, but the pace of appreciation continues to slow. FHFA’s national index shows prices up 1.7% year-over-year and flat 0.0% month-over-month in September after August was revised to 0.0%. The stagnation in monthly movement reflects a clear deceleration taking hold across most regions. The Case-Shiller 20-City Composite posted a 1.4% annual gain in September, down from 1.6% in the previous month. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the 20-City Composite rose 0.1% month-over-month , consistent with the broader cooling trend as elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on demand and affordability. Both indices point to similar conditions: slower appreciation, weaker monthly momentum, and home-price growth now trailing inflation. This shift further tightens affordability and underscores a market that has transitioned into a slower, more restrained phase of the cycle. Conforming Loan Limit Update (2026) The FHFA announced that the 2026 baseline conforming loan limit for one-unit properties is $832,750 , an increase of $26,250 from 2025. High-cost areas will see a limit of $1,249,125 , or 150% of the national baseline. These updates reflect slower—but still positive—home-price appreciation over the past year and will shape eligibility and pricing for conforming mortgages.

Existing-home sales posted another modest gain in October, rising 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.10 million , according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sales are now 1.7% higher than a year ago as lower mortgage rates helped offset the drag from the government shutdown. Demand continues to run stronger than it did through most of 2023 and early 2024, even if the overall pace remains historically subdued. “Home sales increased in October even with the government shutdown due to homebuyers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. He highlighted regional differences for first-time buyers: limited supply in the Northeast and high prices in the West kept activity in check, while the Midwest and South benefited from better affordability and more available listings. Yun added that decelerating rents should continue easing inflation and encouraging further Fed rate cuts, which would support additional housing demand. Regional Breakdown (Sales and Prices, October 2025) Region Sales (annual rate) MoM Change Median Price YoY Change Northeast 490k 0.0% $503,700 +6.5% Midwest 990k +5.3% $319,500 +4.6% South 1.86m +0.5% $362,300 +0.3% West 760k -1.3% $628,500 +0.1%

Mortgage applications moved lower last week as rates continued drifting higher for a third straight week. MBA’s Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending November 14 showed a 5.2% drop in total volume on a seasonally adjusted basis and a 7% decline unadjusted. The Refinance Index fell 7% from the previous week but is still running 125% above last year’s levels. Even with the pullback, refi activity remains firmly in recovery territory compared to the past two years. That said, the recent rate bump pushed the average refinance loan size to its lowest reading since August, underscoring just how sensitive the category remains to even small rate moves. Purchase activity was more stable, slipping 2% seasonally adjusted and 7% unadjusted. Despite the weekly decline, purchase volume is still 26% higher than the same week one year ago—another sign that buyer demand is meaningfully stronger than it was in late 2023 and early 2024. “Mortgage rates increased for the third consecutive week, with the 30-year fixed rate inching higher to its highest level in four weeks at 6.37 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Application activity over the week was lower, with potential homebuyers moving to the sidelines again, although there was a small increase in FHA purchase applications. Refinance applications decreased as borrowers remain sensitive to even small increases in rates at this level.” The refinance share of applications dipped to 55.4%. ARM share fell to 7.5%, while FHA, VA, and USDA shares all moved slightly higher.