Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) shows mortgage applications for new home purchases in June increased 17.9% compared to the same month last year.

First-time homebuyers could end up paying less for mortgage insurance under a new bill passed by the House of Representatives. So reports the Columbus Dispatch.

The amount of outstanding consumer credit rose steadily for a second consecutive month, a positive sign for U.S. economic growth. So reports MarketWatch.