House with a "for sale" sign in the front yard
Popular with 1st-time homebuyers, FHA loans have higher delinquency rates, and borrowers are more likely to end up underwater or in foreclosure when home prices fall
by Matt Carter Dec 12
Department of Justice attorney Ed Martin poses in front of New York Attorney General Letitia James' Brooklyn home.
Since the original charges against James were thrown out in November, the DoJ has reportedly tried and failed to obtain indictments from two different federal grand juries
by Matt Carter Dec 11
Gen Z homebuyers
Zoomer co-buying is on the rise. Knowing what makes this generation tick and how to help them architect a deal can lead to new income streams in a stalled market, Annette DeCicco writes
by Annette DeCicco Dec 10
Trump claimed 2 homes as principal residences in the 1990s, ProPublica reports
The White House denies wrongdoing, and loans were paid off long ago, but circumstances are similar to deals involving political opponents that Trump has called fraudulent
by Matt Carter Dec 8
DoJ not giving up after second try at charging Letitia James whiffs
The Department of Justice is reportedly weighing its options after a Virginia grand jury rejected a second attempt to indict the New York Attorney General for mortgage fraud
by Matt Carter Dec 5
GAO to look into claims Pulte has weaponized Fannie and Freddie
Senate Democrats say they want a better understanding of 'what is taking place at FHFA' after the head of mortgage giants' regulator subjects four prominent Democrats to criminal referrals
by Matt Carter Dec 4
Fannie, Freddie moving to adopt more inclusive credit scores
Lenders to get historical FICO Score 10T data within weeks, setting the stage for the eventual retirement of FICO Classic score and competition with VantageScore 4.0
by Matt Carter Dec 3
SCOOP: Fannie and Freddie are cutting back on the information they publish
For the first time in 15 years, Fannie Mae didn't publish the results of its National Housing Survey in November. The survey has showed homebuyer sentiment remains weak this year
by Matt Carter Dec 2
Rep. Eric Swalwell sues Pulte, FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
One of four Democrats subjected to criminal referrals by Pulte, Swalwell says FHFA director 'exercises unchecked control' over the mortgage giants and has scoured their databases to concoct unfounded accusations of mortgage fraud
by Matt Carter Nov 26
Fannie and Freddie cleared to back loans of up to $832,750 in 2026
The $26,250 increase in Fannie and Freddie’s baseline single-family conforming loan limit is the smallest since 2020, but pushes the ceiling in high-cost markets to $1.25M
by Matt Carter Nov 25
Realtor Christine Bish, who provided information about Adam Schiff's homes to FHFA Directtor Bill Pulte in April and is running for Congress in the 2026 primary elections.
Christine Bish, a Realtor in California's Sacramento Valley, sent a trove of documents to FHFA Director Bill Pulte. Now the DoJ, FBI and FHFA want to know who else she's talked to
by Matt Carter Nov 25
'I'd love to fire his ass,' Trump says of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
The president jokingly told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that his job is also on the line if rates don't come down, as poll shows inflation will be a key issue in 2026 midterm elections
by Matt Carter Nov 20
Pulte's role in mortgage fraud indictment under scrutiny
Attorneys for New York Attorney General Letitia James say FHFA Director Bill Pulte and 3 other Trump administration officials engaged in 'outrageous conduct' to obtain baseless indictment
by Matt Carter Nov 19
Don't merge Fannie and Freddie, says their biggest investor
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman floats plan to relist mortgage giants on the New York Stock Exchange this year, but says it's too soon for the government to sell any of its stake
by Matt Carter Nov 18
50-year mortgages
This week on The Download, Inman contributors and staffers weigh in on the controversy surrounding President Trump's 50-year mortgage proposal
by Christy Murdock Nov 17