Tri-Cities Mortgage Lending Grew in 2026, but Refinancing Tells the Real Story
Posted by Liv Stevens on
Tri-Cities Mortgage Lending Grew in 2026, but Refinancing Tells the Real Story
At first glance, the Tri-Cities mortgage market looks strong. Total loan originations across the region rose 10.1% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, outperforming what many buyers and sellers might expect in a higher-rate environment. But a closer look at the data shows that this was not a surge driven by home purchases. Instead, the real growth came from refinancing activity, while purchase lending slipped and home equity borrowing also moved lower. That shift matters because it shows the local market is still feeling many of the same affordability pressures seen across the country, even if the headline numbers appear more positive.
Total Lending Increased,…
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