mortgage rates

Despite record-low mortgage rates, dwindling rental supplies indicate Americans are yet to wade back into home-ownership.

Home building spiked up in November to the strongest level in almost two years, as record-low mortgage rates and a surge in apartment and condo construction lifted activity.

Mortgage interest rates hit record lows this week, sending housing affordability soaring.

Prices are falling and yields rising as the bond world sends a message to Washington. The fallout will affect retirement savings, mortgage rates, stocks, gold and more.

With mortgage rates so low, it might be tempting to lock in a rate for 30 years. But that decision is hardly a no-brainer.

Here's what you need to consider.

The low rates, combined with weakened housing prices, provide a great opportunity for homebuyers. Yet many markets are still far from a turnaround.

For the first time in two years, the housing market will have to do without aggressive federal incentives. But so far, mortgage rates have remained low.

An improving economy and the end of a government push to make mortgages cheaper is pushing up loan costs and posing a threat to the market's recovery.

With mortgage rates hitting record lows and a government program offering help, it may be time to think about refinancing.

Though sprigs of optimism permeate Wall Street, a bellwether business doesn't know when things will get better. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are up, and boomers can't even think about retiring.