• Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline,Sarah Wolak

    Mortgage applications fall 5% despite rate decline

    Mortgage applications decreased 5.0% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Dec. 19, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 6% compared with the previous week. The refinance index decre

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  • Texas proposes property tax cuts for homeowners 55+,Sarah Wolak

    Texas proposes property tax cuts for homeowners 55+

    Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently announced “Operation Double Nickel,” a proposal that would lower the age for senior property tax benefits from 65 to 55 and expand homestead tax exemptions. According to Patrick’s website, the plan “would accelerate school property tax cuts, reduce school property

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  • Mortgage rates cool in 2025, but 2026 relief likely limited,Flávia Furlan Nunes

    Mortgage rates cool in 2025, but 2026 relief likely limited

    Mortgage rates started the year slightly above 7% but are heading into the holiday season near the 6.2% level. Looking ahead to 2026, lenders and industry experts expect some relief, though not a dramatic shift. On Monday, Mortgage News Daily reported that 30-year conventional fixed rates averaged 6

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