The housing market continues to recover, with mortgage originations increasing 12 percent year over year, moving from $508 billion to $570 billion. Mortgage origination dollar volumes shifted to an almost equal split, with home purchases at 49 percent and refinance activity at 51 percent in 2013. In comparison, originations for the previous year were driven primarily by refinance activity versus home purchases – 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively. The change in distribution is an opportunity for mortgage loan providers to reassess marketing and lending strategies in time for the summer home buying season.