Image source: Getty Images. While it doesn't influence our opinions of products, we may receive compensation from partners whose offers appear here. We're on your side, always. See our full advertiser disclosure here. Mortgage rates hit new record lows this week as buyer demand continued to surge. Here are some of our top stories worth checking out. Mortgage Applications Increase as Homeowners Respond to Drop in Rates Mortgage applications are up, which isn't surprising given the way rates have been trending. And chances are, those rates will stay low for quite some time, which could lead to even higher mortgage volume in 2021. This Was the Average Mortgage Amount in November. Can You Afford It? Home prices have climbed, and so mortgage amounts have followed suit. Here's the sort of loan you might take out if you buy a home today. 3 Tips for Getting a Mortgage in 2021 Looking for a mortgage in the coming year? We spoke to industry expert Bill Banfield at Rocket Mortgage, and he offered some insightful advice on how to snag a home loan at a great rate. Borrowers Rush to Seek Mortgage Forbearance Before COVID-19 Relief Runs Out Once the CARES Act expires on Dec. 31, 2020, homeowners may not have the same protections they do now, like pausing their monthly mortgage payments via forbearance. In fact, forbearance requests have been on the rise as borrowers scramble for relief while it's still available. Could Mortgage Rates Stay Ultra-Low Until 2023? CoreLogic, a leading provider of property data and analytics, predicts that mortgage rates will remain competitive for the next three years. That gives prospective buyers plenty of time to get their finances in order to capitalize on a world of savings. Will Foreclosures Boom in 2021? Pandemic-related relief spared many homeowners from foreclosure this year. But what happens next year when that relief runs out? Whether you're looking to buy a new home, are in the process of refinancing, or want to keep tabs on the housing market, be sure to check out The Ascent's mortgage coverage each week. We're busy gathering your top mortgage news so you can stay informed. 10 stocks we like better than WalmartWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have an investing tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Walmart wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks Stock Advisor returns as of 2/1/20The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source