While mortgage originations dropped 14% nationwide in the first quarter of 2025, Cape Coral saw a 23.1% quarter-over-quarter increase, according to ATTOM’s latest mortgage origination report. The city was second only to Asheville, North Carolina, for loan growth among large U.S. metros. Nationwide, loan volume and average loan amounts fell, driven by a 20% drop in home purchase mortgages. Refinancing and home equity lending also declined, though refinancing made up a growing share of the market. Cape Coral’s rise in home purchase loans — up 28.5% from the previous quarter — stood out against a backdrop of declines in 94.8% of U.S. metros.