Home loan demand declines for third week, but refinance activity picked up as homeowners took advantage of a drop in rates.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped 15 basis points to an average contract rate of 6.49% as of Sept. 5. The large drop ...

Home loan demand declines for third week, but refinance activity picked up as homeowners took advantage of a drop in rates.

The demand for home loans and refinancing decreased despite mortgage rates staying the same for the second straight week.

Home equity contracts promise no payments but demand high end-term paybacks. Federal regulators warn HECs mirror risky loans from the 2008 housing crash. Rising home values and opaque terms raise long ...