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Mortgage applications fell last week as interest rates rose slightly and falling demand for refinancing offset an increase in purchase applications.
October 10 -
A jump in previously occupied homes and a rise in new construction suggest the housing sector may be headed for recovery.
September 19
Sales of existing homes edged up slightly in September in a sign the housing market continues to recover slowly.
The National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index increased 0.3%, to 99.5, in September from 99.2 in August, the trade group said Thursday.
"This means only minor movement is likely in near-term existing-home sales, but with positive underlying market fundamentals they should continue on an uptrend in 2013," Lawrence Yun, the association's chief economist, said in a news release. "Home contract activity remains at an elevated level in contrast with recent years, but currently appears to be bouncing around in a narrow range."
September marked the 17th month consecutive month that sales of existing homes have increased. Sales for the month were up 14.5% compared with September 2011.
Sales of existing homes in September rose 1.4% in the Northeast, 1% in the South and 4.3% in the West while falling 5.8% in the Midwest, according to the group.
The data comes amid a string of signs the housing sector is strengthening. In August, sales of
