Home Purchases

Nationally, homes are on the market for a median of 66 days in 2026, nine days longer than last year’s median of 57 days, according to a new report from Best Interest Financial, a St. Louis-based real estate company.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for February 2026 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 0.9 percent from a year ago. Compared to January 2026, applications decreased by 1 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for January 2026 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 2 percent from a year ago. Compared to December 2025, applications increased by 19 percent.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for November 2025 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 3.1 percent from a year ago. Compared to October 2025, applications decreased by 7 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

Against the backdrop of significant changes to the mortgage industry, new research from Experian spotlights U.S. renters’ current sentiments around the prospect of homeownership and reveals nearly half (47%) believe they’ll be ready to purchase a home within the next four years. That figure jumps to 67% when looking over the next eight years.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for October 2025 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 2.6 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to September 2025, applications decreased by 1 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for August 2025 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 1.0 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to July 2025, applications decreased by 6 percent. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for July 2025 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 6.8 percent compared from a year ago. Compared to June 2025, applications increased by 7 percent.

Optimal Blue released its July 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a 3% month-over-month (MoM) drop in overall rate lock volume, led by a nearly 5% drop in purchase activity as affordability remained strained.

A brief 20-day rate drop from late March through mid-May triggered a dramatic refinance surge that drove rate-and-term eligibility up 5x and sent applications soaring 3x in April alone, according to Ardley Technologies’ Q2 2025 Mortgage Market Insights Report.