Mortgage News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Don't Waste Your Money: What's next for mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates are now at a two year low and could soon go even lower. John Matarese shows what could happen next.

Mike Walden: Is the housing market improving for buyers?

If you're in the market to buy a home, continue to watch trends in construction and prices. There may be some good news ahead.

Climate risk could soon follow you to the bank

A new study finds climate risk could soon affect mortgage approvals as rising flood and insurance costs drive up foreclosures and lender losses in vulnerable areas.

Mortgage rates drop for third week in a row

First-time buyers are showing optimism about monthly payments and ready to get into the real estate market.

Dip in mortgage rate encourages first-time buyers as spring shopping season heats up

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. has mostly trended lower since reaching just over 7% in mid-January. That small change offers a big boost to buying power.

WRAL/AP

Fact check: Vance says the cost of buying a home doubled under Biden

"Under the previous administration, I'll get a little bit political, the cost of a median-price home in America more than doubled, and that was just in four years," Vice President J.D. Vance said March 10 in a speech to the National League of Cities.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending March 13

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

Potential homebuyers wonder if it's a good time to buy or refinance

The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is currently near 7%. Real estate experts say it's highly unlikely we'll see rates near 3% anytime soon.

Durham man pleads guilty to stealing $2.9 million in Covid relief money

Reynold Mullen received a seven-year prison sentence for fraudulently obtaining $2.9 million.

Durham man used millions in COVID relief for mortgages, plastic surgery

Reynold Mullen received a seven-year prison sentence for fraudulently obtaining $2.9 million.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Mike Walden: Can homeownership be made more affordable?

Homeownership has traditionally served two purposes for households.  One is to provide shelter, and the second is to create wealth.  In recent years both purposes have been impeded by the high cost of purchasing homes. 

Editorial: Redlining settlement reminds us systemic racism isn't past history

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 -- This week North Carolinians were reminded that institutional racism is very much present and has a direct impact on African Americans and other minorities concerning the quality of lives, choices of where they may make their homes and ability to access essential lending services.

Major national bank to pay North Carolina $13.5 million for anti-Black, Hispanic discrimination

NC Attorney General Josh Stein and the Biden Administration won a multi-million-dollar settlement from First National Bank over Red-Lining, a Jim Crow era policy used to enforce de facto segregation in housing, still being practiced in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

As rates moderate, realtors expect Triangle housing market rebound

The rise in mortgage rates in 2023 -- they topped out at 8% in October -- brought the Triangle's hot housing market to a grinding halt. But with rates falling back into the 6% range, sales and competition are expected to pick back up in 2024.

As rates dip, things are looking up for the Triangle housing market

The rise in mortgage rates in 2023 brought the Triangle's hot housing market to a grinding halt. Now, those rates are falling and sales are expected to pick back up.

Some realtors leaving real estate as Triangle home sales sag

For the first time in months, mortgage rates dropped below 7 percent. It’s just another indicator of where the economy […]

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Nov. 30

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Oct. 26

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

Why your mortgage rate is probably different from the 'average'

Washington, DC (CNN) -- The average US mortgage rate hit 7.49% this week, the highest level in 23 years. But the rate you may be able to secure from a lender could be very different. It could either be a good bit higher than the current average, or lower. It all depends on the financial attributes and risks that you present lenders as a borrower.

By Anna Bahney, CNN

Triangle housing affordability falls to new low

The housing affordability index in the Triangle has dropped to a record low of 71, meaning that the typical family only earns 71% of the income needed to buy a typical home.

Triangle home affordability drops to record low as median prices hit $416K

Triangle home affordability drops to record low as median prices hit $416K

The housing affordability index in the Triangle has dropped to a record low of 71, meaning that the typical family only earns 71% of the income needed to buy a typical home.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending June 29

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

New mortgage fee canceled

A new mortgage fee that was under review has been rescinded.

WRAL 5 On Your Side

NC rep threatens legislation to block change in mortgage fees

Republican Patrick McHenry, chairman of the House financial services committee, sent a letter Thursday to the agency that established new rules that would lower mortgage fees on people with lower credit scores and raise them for people with higher scores demanding the change be reversed.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter