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U.S. HOME-MORTGAGE LENDING DECLINES AGAIN IN FIRST QUARTER, NEARING LOW POINT

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Residential Loans Down Another 7 Percent, to Smallest Level Since 2000; Total Lending Activity Off Almost 70 Percent in Three Years; Purchase, Refinance and Home-Equity Lending All Decrease

IRVINE, Calif., June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, today released its first-quarter 2024 U.S. Residential Property Mortgage Origination Report, which shows that 1.28 million mortgages secured by residential property (1 to 4 units) were issued in the United States during the first quarter, representing a 6.8 percent decline from the previous quarter. The drop-off marked the 11th in the last 12 quarters, to the lowest level since 2000.

The latest decline left total residential lending activity down 4.8 percent from a year earlier and 69.3 percent from a high point hit in 2021. It came amid another period of rising mortgage interest rates and elevated home prices unaffordable to significant portions of American households, on top of low supplies of homes for sale.

Ongoing decreases in lending activity during the first quarter resulted from losses in all major categories of residential lending. Purchase-loan activity went down another 9.9 percent quarterly, to about 565,000, while refinance deals dipped downward by 1.9 percent, to 491,000. Home-equity credit lines slipped 9 percent, to 222,000.

Measured monetarily, lenders issued $405.6 billion worth of residential mortgages in the first quarter of 2024. That was down 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 and 4.5 percent from the first quarter of last year.

The varying paces of change among different loan types helped reduce the portion of all residential mortgages represented by purchase lending for the third straight quarter while pushing the refinance component upward. Still, purchase loans were the most common form of mortgages around the U.S. in early 2024, comprising more than 40 percent, followed by refinance packages and home-equity lending.

“There is reason to hope that we will see something of a turnaround when second-quarter data comes in, given the jump in lending activity that happened during the peak home-buying season of 2023,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “But with little sign that interest rates are coming down, which could fire up refinance and HELOC lending, or that supplies of homes for sale are going up, any increase is likely to be limited.”

Home-mortgage lending took another hit in the early months of 2024 as average interest rates for 30-year fixed loans rose close to 7 percent (it has since increased). That continued to push up home ownership costs at a time when near-record home prices in most of the country already were unaffordable, or a significant financial stretch, for average wage earners. Purchase lending was further eroded amid counts of homes for sale that were less than half the levels seen five years ago.

Total lending activity down in two-thirds of nation
Banks and other lenders issued a total of 1,277,899 residential mortgages in the first quarter of 2024, down from 1,371,344 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The fallback continued a three-year run of declines that was broken only by a spike in the second quarter of last year.

The latest total also was down annually from 1,343,010 in the first quarter of 2023, and from a recent high point of 4,165,204 hit in the first quarter of 2021.

A total of $405.6 billion was lent to homeowners and buyers in the first quarter of this year, which was down from $426.1 billion in the prior quarter and down from $424.6 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The latest figure stood at less than one-third of the recent peak of $1.29 trillion hit in 2021.

Overall lending activity dipped lower from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year in 125, or 69 percent, of the 182 metropolitan statistical areas around the U.S. that had a population of 200,000 or more and at least 1,000 total residential mortgages issued in the first quarter of 2024.

Total lending also remained down from the first quarter of 2023 in 118, or 65 percent, of the metro areas analyzed. It was off by at least 5 percent annually in almost half of those markets.

The largest quarterly decreases were in St. Louis, MO (total lending down 40.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Buffalo, NY (down 29.9 percent); Albany, NY (down 28.6 percent); Syracuse, NY (down 27.4 percent) and Pensacola, FL (down 25.6 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Buffalo, metro areas with a population of least 1 million that had the biggest decreases in total loans from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were Minneapolis, MN (down 21.2 percent); Hartford, CT (down 18.2 percent) and Honolulu, HI (down 16.3 percent).

The biggest quarterly increases among metro areas with a population of at least 1 million came in Tucson, AZ (total lending up 15.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Phoenix, AZ (up 14.9 percent); Birmingham, AL (up 8.8 percent); Virginia Beach, VA (up 8.6 percent) and Memphis, TN (up 8.3 percent).

Purchase mortgages slump throughout U.S. but remain top loan type
Loans issued to home buyers fell back in the first few months of 2024 for the third straight quarter after a surge of about 25 percent in the Spring of last year.

The latest total of 564,598 dropped from 626,759 in the fourth quarter of 2023. It was also down 12.3 percent from 643,988 a year earlier and almost two-thirds from a high point of 1,516,377 hit in the Spring of 2021.

The $214.8 billion dollar volume of purchase loans in the first quarter of 2024 was down 6.7 percent from $230.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 7.8 percent from $233.1 billion in the first quarter of last year.

Residential purchase-mortgage originations decreased quarterly in 132 of the 182 metro areas in the report (73 percent) and annually in 77 percent of those markets.

The largest quarterly decreases were in Wichita, KS (purchase loans down 66.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Mobile AL (down 54.2 percent); St. Louis, MO (down 45.3 percent); Manchester, NH (down 39 percent) and Buffalo, NY (down 38.3 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Buffalo, the biggest quarterly decreases in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million in the first quarter of 2024 came in Boston, MA (down 27.6 percent); Minneapolis, MN (down 24.8 percent) and Milwaukee, WI (down 24.5 percent).

The top increases in purchase lending from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million were in Phoenix, AZ (up 23.6 percent); Tucson, AZ (up 23.6 percent); Orlando, FL (up 18.6 percent); Las Vegas, NV (up 18 percent) and Tampa, FL (up 13.2 percent).

Refinance mortgages still up year over year but remain far beneath peak
Lenders issued 490,953 residential refinance mortgages in the first quarter of 2024. That was down from 500,323 in the fourth quarter of 2023, although still up 11.4 percent from 440,890 a year earlier because of a short-lived jump in 2023.

Nevertheless, the latest figure remained down 82.1 percent from a peak of 2,742,371 in early 2021 when mortgage rates below 3 percent sent refinance deals soaring.

The $149.6 billion dollar volume of refinance packages in the first quarter of 2024 was down 1.2 percent from $151.4 billion in the prior quarter, but still 4.7 percent higher than $142.9 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

Refinancing activity went down quarterly in 83, or 46 percent, of the 182 metro areas around the U.S. with enough data to analyze. It was up annually in 149, or 82 percent, of those metros.

The largest quarterly decreases were in St. Louis, MO (refinance loans down 35 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Green Bay, WI (down 30.1 percent); Madison, WI (down 26.9 percent); Honolulu, HI (down 25.5 percent) and Scranton, PA (down 23.9 percent).

Aside from St. Louis and Honolulu, metro areas with a population of least 1 million where refinance activity decreased most quarterly were Atlanta, GA (down 19.6 percent); Buffalo, NY (down 18.9 percent) and Minneapolis, MN (down 14.7 percent).

Metro areas with a population of least 1 million and the largest increases in the number of refinance loans from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 were Virginia Beach, VA (up 26.7 percent); Memphis, TN (up 26.5 percent); Birmingham, AL (up 23.5 percent); San Jose, CA (up 21.6 percent) and Seattle, WA (up 18.3 percent).

HELOC lending slips again, down in three-quarters of metro markets
Home-equity lines of credit (HELOCs) also decreased in the first quarter of 2024, declining to 222,348 from 244,262 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The latest count was down 13.9 percent from 258,132 a year earlier. The first-quarter decrease marked the third in a row after a brief gain last Spring.

The $41.1 billion volume of HELOC loans in the first quarter of 2024 was down from $44.5 billion in the prior three-month period, a 7.6 percent decline. The latest total also was down annually, by 15.5 percent.

HELOCs comprised 17.4 percent of all loans in the most recent quarter. That was down from 19.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023 but still almost four times the level recorded in the early part of 2021.

HELOC mortgage originations decreased from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024 in 75 percent of the metro areas analyzed. The largest quarterly decreases in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million were in St. Louis, MO (down 37.4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024); Kansas City, MO (down 27.6 percent); Buffalo, NY (down 27.3 percent); Indianapolis, IN (down 24 percent) and Fresno, CA (down 22.6 percent).

The largest quarterly increases in HELOC activity in metro areas with a population of at least 1 million and sufficient data to analyze came in Columbus, OH (up 8.5 percent); Baltimore, MD (up 5.1 percent); New York, NY (up 3.4 percent); New Orleans, LA (up 1.7 percent) and Washington, DC (up 0.8 percent).

FHA and VA loan percentages rise
Mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) rose early this year as a percentage of all lending. They accounted for 210,246, or 16.5 percent, of all residential property loans originated in the first quarter of 2024. That was up from 15.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 12.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023.

Residential loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) totaled 68,430, or 5.4 percent, of all residential property loans originated in the first quarter of 2024. That was up from 4.3 percent in the previous quarter, although down slightly from 5.5 percent a year earlier.

Typical purchase loan goes up while down payments decline, both by unusually large amounts
As the national median home price increased in the first quarter of 2024, the typical single-family home loan also rose. But the opposite was true for median down-payment percentages.

Among homes purchased with financing in the first quarter of 2024, the median loan amount climbed to $329,800. That was up 7.4 percent from $307,000 in the prior quarter and 7.2 percent from $307,722 a year earlier. The quarterly increase was the largest since the second quarter of 2021.

However, the median down payment of $26,700 on single-family homes purchased with financing in the first quarter of 2024 dropped by 20.9 percent, from $33,750 in the fourth quarter of 2023. For the year, it was down 3.1.

Report methodology
ATTOM analyzed recorded mortgage and deed of trust data for single-family homes, condos, town homes and multi-family properties of two to four units for this report. Each recorded mortgage or deed of trust was counted as a separate loan origination. Dollar volume was calculated by multiplying the total number of loan originations by the average loan amount for those loan originations.

About ATTOM
ATTOM provides premium property data to power products that improve transparency, innovation, efficiency, and disruption in a data-driven economy. ATTOM multi-sources property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation’s population. A rigorous data management process involving more than 20 steps validates, standardizes, and enhances the real estate data collected by ATTOM, assigning each property record with a persistent, unique ID — the ATTOM ID. The 30TB ATTOM Data Warehouse fuels innovation in many industries including mortgage, real estate, insurance, marketing, government and more through flexible data delivery solutions that include ATTOM Cloud, bulk file licenses, property data APIs, real estate market trends, property navigator and more. Also, introducing our newest innovative solution, making property data more readily accessible and optimized for AI applications– AI-Ready Solutions. 

Media Contact:
Megan Hunt
megan.hunt@attomdata.com 

Data and Report Licensing:
datareports@attomdata.com

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Delixi Electric at the 140th Canton Fair Expanding Solutions Strengthening Global Partnerships

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October 26, 2026

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 140th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, opened in Guangzhou on October 15, 2026, marking the event’s 70th anniversary. Delixi Electric returned with an expanded portfolio spanning power distribution, industrial control, home electrical products and tools, while inviting distributors and business partners worldwide to explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Under the brand philosophy “Making it happen,” the company presented products for industrial, commercial and residential applications. The display was designed to give international customers more choice and help channel partners broaden their offerings.

A key highlight was the official Canton Fair debut of Delixi Electric’s tool portfolio. Presented under the theme “The right tool for every task,” the range covers hand tools, power tools and measuring tools. A dedicated trial area allowed visitors to experience the products firsthand.

Among Delixi Electric’s industrial offerings, the H500 Series high-performance vector drive and CDC8 Series AC contactor were key highlights. Winner of the 2025 iF Design Award and a CIIF industrial automation award, the H500 targets mid- to high-end drive applications, while the CDC8 supports reliable control in demanding equipment-manufacturing environments. The wider display also featured wall switches, multi-standard sockets and adapters, and power distribution products.

Qi Wenjie, General Manager of Delixi Electric’s Overseas Business Division, said:

“For many years, the Canton Fair has been an important platform for us to understand how market needs are evolving and to engage closely with customers and partners from around the world. As the Fair marks its 70th anniversary, we are pleased to meet global customers and partners here once again.”

“For Delixi Electric, participating in the Canton Fair is about more than presenting individual products. It is also an opportunity to better understand local needs, demonstrate our broader capabilities in power distribution, and explore long-term value together with our customers and partners.”

Since its Canton Fair debut in 2023, Delixi Electric has participated for four consecutive years. Its business network now covers more than 80 countries and regions.

Looking ahead, the company will continue investing in product development, quality management, international certification, supply chain capabilities and local service. By expanding its portfolio and working closely with local partners, Delixi Electric aims to support market development and create sustainable growth opportunities for distributors, customers and industry partners worldwide.

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SSI SCHAEFER’s Four-Way Pallet Roaming Shuttle Is Expanding Warehouse Design Possibilities

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October 26, 2026

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SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For warehouse operators in South Korea, warehouse design is increasingly shaped by competing demands: making better use of available space, managing labor constraints and maintaining reliable operations without committing to automation that exceeds business needs.

The challenge is not simply to store more pallets, but to determine how storage capacity can be configured around the inventory characteristics and the movement the operation actually requires.

Rethinking the use of warehouse space

Warehouse capacity is often assessed by the number of pallet positions available. However, the same building footprint can support different storage configurations, each with its own implications for accessibility, material flow and operating requirements.

Four-way pallet roaming shuttles, such as the SSI Pallet Roaming Shuttle, use onboard multi-sensor navigation to determine their position, monitor their surroundings in real time, and accurately detect obstacles. This enables flexible pallet handling across multiple storage levels, opening up greater possibilities for high-density, single- or multi-deep pallet storage configurations.

For facilities where building expansion is restricted, the ability to use available space more effectively can be an important design consideration. With system heights of 24 metres and options for 40 metres subject to configuration, solutions like the shuttle allow warehouse planners to evaluate storage designs that make greater use of the space.

Matching movement capability to operational needs

The significance of four-way movement lies in the flexibility it introduces into storage design. This can be particularly relevant to manufacturing operations storing raw materials or finished goods, food and beverage distribution, and temperature-controlled warehouses where storage conditions and space utilisation are crucial design considerations.

The shuttle supports payloads of up to 3000 kg and uses RFID and photoelectric positioning, with a specified positioning accuracy of ±5 mm. Operating at a maximum aislewise speed of 1.5 m/s when loaded and 1.6 m/s when unloaded, it provides a technical basis for evaluating its suitability against a warehouse’s storage and movement requirement.

Automation solving the right challenges, at the right time

For South Korean warehouse operators facing a rapidly aging population and labor constraints, the question is whether automating pallet storage and movement will address a meaningful operational need. Suited to medium-to-low SKU ranges and lower-throughput applications, the SSI Pallet Roaming Shuttle is worth considering where frequent retrievals and reduced reliance on repetitive manual handling are priorities, rather than high-volume pallet retrieval.

“The value of warehouse automation lies in how well a system fits the operation it is designed to serve. More automation does not automatically mean a better warehouse.

The real measure of an effective solution is how well its storage density, retrieval capability and throughput match the operation’s needs. Investing in capacity or performance that the business cannot fully utilise—or sacrificing retrieval flexibility for density—misses the point of warehouse automation,” said Jeon Jae Beom, Head of Sales, SSI Schaefer Korea.

For South Korean businesses balancing space, labor and investment pressures, the key is to select systems according to its intended role in the wider operation, not on the assumption that greater automation will resolve every capacity or productivity challenge.

For more information, visit www.ssi-schaefer.com/ko-kr.

About SSI SCHAEFER

The SSI SCHAEFER Group is a leading global solution provider for all areas of intralogistics. With innovative technologies and software, the company empowers small to medium-sized enterprises as well as large companies to increase the efficiency and sustainability of their storage, picking, and transport processes. SSI SCHAEFER offers complete solutions ranging from fully automated warehouses with tailored service and maintenance packages to robotics and automated guided vehicles, as well as manual and semi-automated systems such as workstations, racks and containers.

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SOURCE SSI Schaefer Korea

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Heybike Launches V1 Pro, a 72V Power Beast with 8,000W Peak Power and Bigger Attitude

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October 26, 2026

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ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Heybike today announced the launch of the V1 Pro, a 72V electric dirt bike designed for riders who want bigger tires, bigger attitude, and ultimate off-road performance. With 8,000W peak power, 17-inch front and 14-inch rear tires, and Wheelie Boost Assist, the V1 Pro delivers powerful off-road performance while featuring hydraulic disc brakes and a magnetic emergency kill switch. Available now on Heybike’s official website, the V1 Pro is offered at an Early Bird price of $1,999, compared with its $2,199 MSRP.

The 72V Power Beast, Ready for Every Trail

With its oversized Big Foot tires, bold styling, and powerful 72V drive system, the Heybike V1 Pro is built to stand out. Delivering 8,000W peak power and 250 N•m of wheel torque, it reaches speeds of up to 50 MPH and tackles inclines of up to 45°, bringing serious power to demanding off-road adventures.

Its staggered 17-inch front and 14-inch rear Big Foot tires provide a larger rear contact patch for traction, while 285 mm of ground clearance helps the bike clear rocks, roots, and ruts. A 150 mm-travel front fork and rear hydraulic shock help absorb bumps on uneven terrain.

Powered by a 72V 27Ah battery with 1,944 Wh of capacity, the Heybike V1 Pro offers a range of up to 60 miles on a single charge, with charging taking approximately 5.5–6 hours using the included 84V 5A charger.

Smart Control. Your Ride, Your Way.

The Heybike app lets riders adjust speed limits and throttle response, choose from ECO, LINEAR, and SPORT riding modes, and configure regenerative braking to suit their riding preferences and terrain.

For added personalization, an optional Bluetooth speaker and horn accessory supports music playback and multiple simulated motorcycle engine sounds.

Enhanced Protection for Every Adventure

The Heybike V1 Pro combines performance with multiple safety-focused features. Its 220 mm front and 190 mm rear hydraulic disc brakes provide stopping power, while regenerative braking adds another layer of deceleration control.

A magnetic emergency kill switch is designed to cut power if the rider falls or steps away from the bike. A throttle-reset safety mechanism prevents power delivery until the throttle has returned to its reset position.

The Heybike V1 Pro features a UL 2849-certified battery system and an IPX6 waterproof rating, offering added protection for outdoor riding in changing weather conditions.

Together, these features complement the V1 Pro’s performance-focused design with added control and protection for off-road riding.

Wheelie Boost Assist: Unleash Your Wild Side

Experience wheelies like never before. With just a single mode control, Wheelie Boost™ lifts the front wheel to a fixed angle, safely turning a complex trick into an exciting riding experience. Less effort, more wild — unleash your bigger attitude and take your V1 Pro ride to the next level.

Bring the Family Together. Conquer Every Terrain.

More than an off-road ride, the Heybike V1 Pro opens the door to shared outdoor adventures and memorable family moments. Designed to bring riders together, it makes weekend trail rides and outdoor exploration opportunities for parents and teens to connect, build confidence, and discover new terrain side by side.

From family outings to challenging off-road adventures, the V1 Pro brings power, excitement, and the freedom to explore together.

A Step Up From the Original Heybike V1

Launched in the first half of 2026, the Heybike V1 quickly gained popularity among teens across the United States. Building on that success, the V1 Pro takes off-road performance to the next level with nearly 100% more peak power, 43.8% greater battery capacity, 11% higher top speed, 20% more range, and a 50% higher maximum climbing angle.

Beyond raw power, the V1 Pro delivers 31.5% more wheel torque and 14.5% greater ground clearance, along with stronger front and rear suspension system for a smoother ride. Its larger 17-inch front and 14-inch rear Big Foot tires further enhance off-road control and rear traction, while the full-size frame is designed to accommodate a broader range of riders.

Make Their Next Ride Unforgettable

The Heybike V1 Pro is available now for $1,999 (MSRP $2,199). Customers can also receive a limited-quantity launch gift box with their purchase, while supplies last. 

More riding challenges, giveaways, and community activities are on the way. Stay tuned for more ways to ride, connect, and share the adventure.

Shop the Heybike V1 Pro on its official website.

About Heybike

Heybike is a leading global e-bike brand making joy easy to reach for every age and every terrain, from city commutes to off-road adventures, blending accessible innovation, safety-first engineering, and design that connects. Every ride connects you to a worldwide community — to your family, to your city, and to the simple joy of moving. Learn more on Heybike’s official website.

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