“While housing demand remains relatively depressed, lower mortgage rates and softer home price appreciation are likely starting to bring buyers off the sidelines. The leg down in financing costs looks to have boosted mortgage demand.” --Charlie Dougherty, Economist with Wells Fargo Economics, Charlotte, N.C.

U.S. hotel construction increased slightly in December after 25 consecutive months of year-over-year declines, reported STR, Hendersonville, Tenn.

The Federal Housing Administration on Friday published Mortgagee Letter 2023-01, Updated Instructions for Single Family Forward Mortgage Model Documents for Government Sponsored Enterprises Security Instrument and Note Updates.