When rates fell to around 6.7% (the lowest level in months) in early July, applications for home loans promptly ticked up, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But when the average 30-year fixed rate jumped to around 6.8% last week, mortgage activity plummeted 10%.

As property taxes and homeowner insurance premiums continue rising, homeowners are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments.

July 18 mortgage rates hold steady at 6.625% as builders offer discounts and incentives to attract hesitant buyers.

Not all mortgages are created equal. Learn the pros, cons and ideal use cases for today’s most popular home loans, so you can shop with confidence.

The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans increased to 6.72% for the week ending July 10, up from 6.67% last week.

Global economic conditions and geopolitical events can also influence mortgage rates through their impact on the bond market. For example, during periods of uncertainty, investors tend to flock to the safety of the U.S. Treasury bonds, driving yields down and typically leading to lower mortgage rates.

William Pulte, the Trump administration's newly appointed director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has revealed plans to integrate bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into the mortgage loan application process.

You'll get a mortgage loan estimate after you apply for a loan but before you've been officially approved. To evaluate an estimate, you'll want to brush up on your mortgage vocabulary and have a good sense of how much house you can afford. Your mortgage loan estimate will outline the terms of your potential loan from a particular lender.

A reverse mortgage can be a powerful way to supplement Social Security income and give your retirement budget a little more flexibility. Whether you're looking to cover essential expenses, pay for medical care or want to strategically delay claiming Social Security, tapping into your home equity might help you live more comfortably in retirement.