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#housing-market
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Housing market demand holds, but home sales face friction

Housing demand remains steady year over year, but pricing gaps and rising mortgage rates are creating challenges for buyers and sellers.
Real estate
fromThe Mercury News
2 months ago

U.S. housing won't crash because it's getting a bailout

Federal government will intervene in 2026 to prop up housing prices through mortgage-market measures and policy tools to prevent a steep crash.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 day ago

How is the housing market weathering war-time economics?

Pending home sales decreased to 70,676, influenced by rising mortgage rates, while total pending sales remain higher year-over-year at 380,914.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
6 days ago

How the ROAD to Housing Act could improve home affordability

COVID-19 and Federal Reserve actions led to a housing market frenzy, but rising mortgage rates and inflation have since decimated affordability.
Real estate
fromFast Company
4 days ago

Home flipping stabilized after being hit by its biggest pullback since 2007

Home flipping activity has stabilized around 2019 levels, with seasoned flippers planning to execute deals in 2026 despite a slower appreciation environment.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Housing market demand holds, but home sales face friction

Housing demand remains steady year over year, but pricing gaps and rising mortgage rates are creating challenges for buyers and sellers.
NYC politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
13 hours ago

Mamdani pledged affordable New York housing in his campaign. How is that going?

Mamdani's appeal against expanding housing vouchers contradicts his campaign pledge, angering advocates amid a homelessness crisis and budget deficit.
US news
fromwww.npr.org
3 days ago

Trump's VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it

Over 10,000 veterans faced foreclosure due to the shutdown of a key VA home loan safety-net program, with 90,000 more at risk.
#mortgage-rates
Remodel
fromwww.businessinsider.com
2 days ago

We bought a house with a 2.5% mortgage rate a few years ago. Our family's much bigger now, but moving is not an option.

Rising mortgage rates since 2019 have made moving to a larger home financially challenging for families.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Higher mortgage rates trigger sharp drop in applications

The 30-year mortgage rate has risen to 6.57%, impacting refinance applications and buyer confidence amid economic uncertainty.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
5 days ago

Inflation fears keep mortgage rates in the mid-6% range

Mortgage rates are influenced by the 10-year Treasury yield and rising oil prices due to the Iran conflict, affecting housing demand and affordability.
Real estate
fromBoston Condos For Sale Ford Realty
6 days ago

What's The Forecast For Mortgage Rates In The Latter Half Of 2026? Boston Condos For Sale Ford Realty

30-year fixed mortgage rates in H2 2026 are expected to range between 5.50% and 6.40%, with varying forecasts from major housing authorities.
LA real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
2 days ago

LA's 17.8% resi progress lags state-mandated production as clock ticks

Los Angeles is significantly behind in housing development, achieving only 17.8% of its state-mandated goal for new units.
NYC real estate
fromwww.businessinsider.com
2 days ago

We bought a house that's too small so we could afford our dream neighborhood. A $300,000 third-party loan will help us renovate.

The Feinbergs purchased a small home in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and planned to expand it using RenoFi financing based on future value.
Non-profit organizations
fromSan Jose Spotlight
3 days ago

Santa Clara County housing funds safe after federal court ruling - San Jose Spotlight

Federal appeals court blocks HUD's attempt to cap permanent housing funds, preserving Continuum of Care grants for homelessness solutions in Santa Clara County.
#affordable-housing
fromFortune
1 week ago
East Bay real estate

Affordable housing is stuck in limbo thanks to a 'Made in USA' law that nobody can figure out how to follow | Fortune

fromFortune
1 week ago
East Bay real estate

Affordable housing is stuck in limbo thanks to a 'Made in USA' law that nobody can figure out how to follow | Fortune

Higher education
fromwww.businessinsider.com
5 days ago

Millions of student-loan borrowers risk being driven into a 'shadow' market of costly private lenders, a new report says

Risky lending products may increase as federal student-loan repayment changes could push borrowers towards subprime lenders.
NYC politics
fromtherealdeal.com
1 day ago

Doomed to fail: Why Rent Guidelines Board always gets it wrong

The Rent Guidelines Board's process is ineffective and cannot set appropriate rent increases for diverse tenants.
Cryptocurrency
fromFortune
1 week ago

Housing giant Fannie-Mae to accept crypto-backed mortgages for the first time | Fortune

Fannie Mae now accepts crypto-backed mortgages, allowing digital assets to be used as collateral for home down payments.
#hecm
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 days ago

NRMLA webinar to cover reverse servicing and maturity events

Understanding post-loan processes is crucial for originators, especially for elderly borrowers, to prevent risks like losing their homes over unpaid obligations.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 days ago

HECM endorsements rise 16.3% in March to 2,117 loans

March saw a 16.3% increase in loans, but HECM endorsements remain weak due to competition from proprietary reverse mortgage products.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 days ago

NRMLA webinar to cover reverse servicing and maturity events

Understanding post-loan processes is crucial for originators, especially for elderly borrowers, to prevent risks like losing their homes over unpaid obligations.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 days ago

HECM endorsements rise 16.3% in March to 2,117 loans

March saw a 16.3% increase in loans, but HECM endorsements remain weak due to competition from proprietary reverse mortgage products.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 days ago

Finance of America launches new reverse mortgage line of credit

HomeSafe Second Line of Credit offers a nonrevolving reverse mortgage option for accessing home equity without new monthly payments.
LA real estate
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

California considering a first of its kind idea to boost factory-built housing

California is considering entering the construction insurance business to address the housing shortage through innovative building methods.
NYC real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
3 days ago

Help for rent-stabilized landlords appears unlikely as Mamdani's board kicks off

Data on rent increases in New York reveals conflicting interpretations between tenant advocates and landlord groups regarding financial realities.
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Rocket Companies moves to dismiss RESPA lawsuit

Rocket Companies contends that the plaintiffs failed to plead injury, a qualifying referral, a thing of value, or an agreement, which are essential for their claims under RESPA.
Boston real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
5 days ago

Homeowner Assistance Fund backstopped vulnerable borrowers

The insights from this report help us think about potential gaps in the loss mitigation waterfall and the types of homeowners who may benefit from targeted support when they experience a crisis.
SF real estate
NYC real estate
fromCity Limits
3 days ago

Opinion: Expanding the J-51 Tax Incentive is Key Co-ops Staying Affordable-And Becoming Sustainable

Expanded J-51 proposal can help co-ops afford energy upgrades and maintain affordability for residents.
LA real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
3 days ago

Campaign promises offered as assurances on California's troubled resi insurance market

Pacific Palisades residents face a $1.5 million gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding costs after last year's fire.
NYC politics
fromtherealdeal.com
3 days ago

The slow bloodletting of NYC real estate

Cumulative regulatory costs in New York real estate can outweigh their intended safety benefits, impacting housing affordability and overall public health.
California
fromKqed
2 weeks ago

How Federal Housing Reform Could Impact Californians | KQED

Congress is finalizing significant federal housing reform bills inspired by California laws, targeting housing shortages through construction innovation, streamlined programs, and increased local housing planning.
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 days ago

Mortgage lenders ramp up homebuilder divisions

Ginsburg stated that treating builder business as a core pillar rather than a side channel reflects a broader industry shift. He believes a healthy balance of builders should be around 15% to 20% of the overall retail book of business.
Real estate
LA real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
5 days ago

California bills target condo deposits and defect liability

California lawmakers are considering bills to reduce barriers for condominium construction, addressing deposit limits and construction defect liability.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
6 days ago

Editorial | The billion-dollar problem that is CityFHEPS, and how to solve it in the NYC budget | amNewYork

CityFHEPS expenses surged from $176 million to $834 million, with projected costs reaching $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2025.
NYC real estate
fromThe Atlantic
6 days ago

How to Keep the Suburbs Tenant-Free

The rise of corporate landlords is reshaping suburban housing, increasing rental options but facing potential legislative challenges.
#fannie-mae
SF real estate
fromFast Company
6 days ago

Fannie and Freddie stock prices are soaring today, but still down for the year. Here's why

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stocks surged after Bill Ackman's social media endorsement, highlighting their perceived undervaluation.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 week ago

Mortgage rates rise despite $200B GSE MBS expansion signal

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are cautiously active in the MBS market, influenced more by Treasury volatility and geopolitical risks than their $200 billion expansion.
SF real estate
fromFast Company
6 days ago

Fannie and Freddie stock prices are soaring today, but still down for the year. Here's why

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stocks surged after Bill Ackman's social media endorsement, highlighting their perceived undervaluation.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 week ago

Mortgage rates rise despite $200B GSE MBS expansion signal

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are cautiously active in the MBS market, influenced more by Treasury volatility and geopolitical risks than their $200 billion expansion.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
5 days ago

Immigration policy, economic uncertainty reshaping housing market

Immigration policies have led to a significant decline in immigration and negative impacts on housing markets across the U.S.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Opendoor to buy Doma closing unit, partner with Fannie Mae

Opendoor is acquiring Doma's closing and escrow operations to enhance title automation and refinance closings, pending regulatory approval.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

NAR to sunset governance groups as part of committee overhaul

NAR has initiated governance changes to streamline its committee structure and enhance effectiveness based on member feedback.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 weeks ago

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac revise condo insurance standards

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac updated insurance requirements allowing ACV roof coverage for condos while maintaining RCV for other property, reducing homeowner costs and expanding mortgage market access.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Why HousingWire's new Mortgage Rankings matter for originators

HousingWire Mortgage Rankings provide a standardized, transaction-based view of origination activity, enhancing transparency and comparability in the housing industry.
#housing-affordability
Boston real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Democrats propose bill targeting corporate housing tax breaks

Democrats introduce legislation to restrict institutional investors and hedge funds from bulk-purchasing single-family homes to address housing affordability crisis and preserve homeownership opportunities.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 weeks ago

Trump executive orders target housing supply and mortgage credit

Executive orders aim to reduce regulatory barriers to housing construction and increase mortgage lending accessibility by streamlining permitting, reforming environmental rules, and lowering compliance costs for community banks.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Here's what will actually move the needle on housing affordability

Housing affordability requires land-use reform and builders must shift focus to market segments where they can control outcomes, as traditional solutions like lower rates, off-site construction, subsidies, and value engineering are individually insufficient.
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Trump's housing plan must go deeper than lower mortgage rates

NAA-NMHC research shows we need to build 4.3 million more apartments by 2035 to meet demand. To date, the Trump Administration has implemented a number of pro-housing, common-sense policies from easing burdensome regulations to eliminating barriers that slow development which are important steps in the right direction. Yet now more than ever is the time for decisive and transformational action.
US politics
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 weeks ago

NAREB president calls for 'optimistic underwriting'

NAREB addresses homeownership barriers through policy advocacy, grassroots outreach, and a Community Property Fairness Initiative challenging FHA's spousal debt underwriting rules in nine states.
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

FICO tri-merge price jumped 1,500% in four years, CHLA finds

The scale of the increases reflects limited competition in the mortgage credit score market, where lenders are required to use approved scoring models and have few alternatives.
Real estate
California
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

From relief to rebuilding: Rethinking forbearance in an era of climate disruption

California wildfires demonstrate how climate disasters, insurance volatility, and rebuilding delays require lenders and policymakers to develop sustainable forbearance policies with national implications.
SF real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 weeks ago

Trump mortgage credit order draws praise from lenders

An executive order aims to lower mortgage lending costs by revising origination requirements and adjusting supervision, though many provisions require congressional action and rulemaking that may not be finalized until late 2026 or early 2027.
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

Introducing the 2026 HousingWire Rising Stars!

HousingWire's 2026 Rising Stars honor industry leaders age 40 and under who are making an impact across mortgage, real estate and homebuilding. The honorees represent a range of roles and are recognized for driving innovation, supporting their organizations and contributing to broader industry progress.
Real estate
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 week ago

Mortgage experts weigh in on GSE condo updates

GSEs will require full project reviews for condo loans, increasing costs and documentation requirements for homeowners associations starting Aug. 3.
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Debate intensifies over single-file credit report plan for mortgages

Eric Ellman, president of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA) said we learned from the 2008 housing crisis that more data is better than less data, especially when the financial stakes are so high. He added, The cost of being right for spending an extra $100 is so much stronger a case to make than the downside risk for a consumer who might lose thousands over the lifetime of a loan.
Privacy professionals
US politics
fromFast Company
2 months ago

Housing market affordability is so strained that Trump directs Fannie and Freddie to buy $200B mortgage bonds

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to increase MBS demand and potentially lower mortgage rates and monthly payments.
SF real estate
fromThe Atlantic
1 month ago

The Disappearing American Mortgage

Mortgage applications have reached historic lows, freezing the real estate market and preventing working-class families from building wealth through homeownership while wealthy buyers dominate transactions.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 weeks ago

The industry's quiet first line of defense

Title agents perform critical fraud detection work during real estate transactions that remains largely invisible to buyers, sellers, and lenders despite being more important than the visible closing process.
US politics
fromFortune
2 months ago

From $40 billion to $225 billion: Inside the Trump housing plan to radically change the mortgage bond buying plan | Fortune

FHFA raised allowable mortgage bond holdings for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to $225 billion each, potentially increasing company risk and reversing post-2008 caps.
US news
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

FHFA reports clean GAO audit for fiscal year 2025

FHFA maintained housing finance safety and soundness, upheld effective internal controls, and reported a $199.2 million net position as of Sept. 30, 2025.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 weeks ago

Is it time to bring banks back to the mortgage business?

Mortgage loan origination collapsed from 14.2 million in 2021 to under 5 million in 2023, with independent mortgage banks filling the gap while maintaining quality, yet regulators and industry leaders argue banks should re-engage to restore competition and customer relationships.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
3 weeks ago

VA urged to revise elements of proposed partial claim rules

VA Home Loan Program Reform Act establishes a new partial claim option for distressed borrowers, positioned as the seventh step in loss-mitigation procedures with retroactive eligibility to May 1, 2025.
fromAxios
2 months ago

Trump is getting creative to bypass Congress

"The executive branch is getting very creative using the pockets of money at their disposal with no congressional oversight," Ed Al-Hussainy, portfolio manager at Columbia Threadneedle, tells Axios.
US politics
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

Trump directs GSEs to buy $200B in mortgage bonds to lower rates

Combined holdings at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac grew at a 77% annualized pace over the six months ending in November 2025, rising by more than $68 billion to approximately $247 billion. There remains room for further expansion. Under the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (PSPA), each GSE's retained portfolio is capped at $250 billion, with an additional $225 billion limit imposed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) under a prior director.
US politics
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Mortgage applications jump 11%, refinances lead the gains

Refinance applications increased for the fourth straight week to the strongest pace since 2022, with conventional refinances up 20%. The increase in the average loan size for refinances indicates that more borrowers with larger loan sizes are seeking to lower their monthly payments.
Real estate
#housing-policy
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Property tax, insurance accounts for 21% of mortgage payments

Taxes and insurance can comprise over one-third of monthly mortgage payments in many markets, significantly impacting affordability beyond the base loan cost.
US politics
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Pennymac leader on policy shifts to ease homeownership barriers

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were directed to buy $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities to offset Fed rolloffs, but authority may expire without GSE changes.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Why mortgage licensing must be a priority for private lenders In 2026

Mortgage licensing is a critical legal and deal-enabling priority for private lenders, not an operational afterthought, with significant consequences for non-compliance including usury exposure, penalties, and loan enforceability risks.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Fannie and Freddie add $12.5B MBS in January, help to ease rates

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchased $12.5 billion in agency MBS in January following Trump's $200 billion directive, contributing to mortgage rates declining from 6.20% to 5.95%.
Real estate
fromFast Company
1 month ago

Big banks retreated from mortgages after the 2008 housing market crash-now this Fed governor wants them back

Federal Reserve officials are reconsidering post-2008 regulations that may have pushed mortgage lending from large banks to nonbank lenders, with potential policy shifts ahead.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

The mortgage industry doesn't have a speed problem. It has a trust problem.

Mortgage industry speed improvements haven't reduced costs or risks because the real bottleneck is trust in fragmented, inconsistent data, not processing velocity.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

GSEs boost foreclosure prevention as forbearances surge

Forbearance and permanent loan modifications rose sharply in October, while delinquency modestly improved, foreclosures increased, and refinance activity grew as rates fell.
fromFast Company
2 months ago

The mortgage industry just crossed a line it's avoided for years

"Today, an increasing number of consumers include crypto in their investment portfolios, while major financial institutions are deepening their involvement in crypto assets, supported by key regulatory developments," Newrez President Baron Silverstein said in the announcement, adding that now is the "right time" to weave crypto into the mortgage lending business.
Real estate
Real estate
from24/7 Wall St.
2 months ago

How Investors Should Play The $200B Mortgage Bond Initiative In the US

Raising Fannie and Freddie purchase caps from $40B to $200B aims to boost mortgage liquidity, benefiting underwriters, builders, and retailers while hindering privatization.
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Federal policy shifts drive new housing compliance challenges

APOR is baked into not only Dodd-Frank as a safe harbor against litigation which many lenders want to comply with and use for their business and pricing and risk but also there are a litany of 40 other statutes that are tied to APOR as it's described in Dodd Frank, over 27 states. Lenders frequently move ahead of formal rulemaking, Dunn added. You don't have to wait for the regulation to comply either, she said.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

Are 50-year mortgages, portable mortgages and assumable loans the future of U.S. housing?

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is deeply entrenched in the U.S. system. It benefits from decades of investor demand, a robust securitization framework and established insurance support. Once loan terms extend beyond 30 years, those structural advantages begin to erode. There is also a cost that often gets overlooked. A 50-year mortgage dramatically increases the total interest paid over the life of the loan. While monthly payments may appear more manageable, borrowers can end up paying nearly double the interest compared to a traditional 30-year mortgage.
Real estate
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

Down payment assistance programs top 2,600 in Q4 2025

Down payment assistance averages about $18,000, lowers loan-to-value by roughly 8.8%, and expands affordability and loan quality nationwide.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

Trade groups push for lower FHA premiums, LLPA cuts

End tri-merge credit reporting, adopt a single-file framework, lower FHA mortgage insurance premiums, reduce LLPAs and refinance fees to lower mortgage costs and expand homeownership.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

NAMB urges FHA to end lifetime mortgage insurance rule

NAMB asks FHA to restore 78% LTV MIP cancellation, citing strong MMI Fund capital and improved housing affordability for first-time, low-income borrowers.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
2 months ago

Mortgage defects stabilize as lenders face quality control issues

Quality control staffing stabilized in 2025, but origination cost pressures and volume surges cause fluctuating defect types and levels, increasing buyback and defect risk.
Real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
1 month ago

Mortgage M&A wave creates more mega-lenders

Bayview Asset Management acquired Guild Mortgage in November 2025 to combine Bayview's servicing scale with Guild's retail origination capabilities.
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