Gone, not forgotten: The Oklahoma City bombing 29 years later
Kari Watkins, Chris Fleming and Donna Weaver were forever changed by the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City bombing. Twenty-nine years later, they reflect on life since
by Marian McPherson Apr 19
Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge stepping down March 22
Surprise announcement comes on same day Biden administration rolls out $7.3T budget proposal that would provide $258B to expand access to affordable housing
by Matt Carter Mar 11
New-home sales show promise with 1.8% annual growth
New-home sales increased 1.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 661,000. Economists say the report, alongside improved builder sentiment, shows promise for a robust spring
by Marian McPherson Feb 26
David Stevens, influential leader in mortgage finance, dies at 66
The former FHA commissioner also held executive positions at World Savings Bank, Freddie Mac, and The Long and Foster Companies before leading the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Jan 17
Mortgage groups urge FHA to ditch 'life of loan' premium payments
Having slashed premiums on new FHA loans by 35% in March, and with insurance in force growing faster than reserves, HUD officials are showing no signs they'll give in to industry demands
by Matt Carter Nov 21
Biden administration backs plan to convert more offices to homes
Initiative provides new financing and technical assistance to developers and local government, and highlights grants and tax incentives that can make conversion projects more attractive
by Matt Carter Oct 27
FHA will consider rent from ADUs when qualifying borrowers
HUD says policy change is intended to help more first-time homebuyers, seniors, and inter-generational families tap the wealth building potential of homeownership
by Matt Carter Oct 19
Will chatbots make housing discrimination worse?
New artificial intelligence technology can recommend real estate listings based on neighborhoods' ethnic makeup. Experts are worried about the tech's potential for discrimination
by Jim Dalrymple II Jun 20
Audits find fault with help provided to FHA borrowers during pandemic
Loan servicer Mr. Cooper is 'deeply disappointed' that the HUD OIG audit focused on problems it says were mostly technical, rather than on borrower outcomes
by Matt Carter Jun 15
Housing starts post rebound in April but inventory remains tight
Housing starts rose 2.2% month over month in April, as homebuyers increasingly turn to new construction to combat low inventory in the resale market, the US Census Bureau reported
by Lillian Dickerson May 17
New-home sales soar to 1-year high in March as purchases leap 9.6%
The strong monthly uptick in sales marked the fourth-straight month of increases as homebuyers eased back into the market and adjust to higher mortgage rates, according to new Census data
by Lillian Dickerson Apr 25
Tenants in jeopardy as rent hikes outpace value of rental vouchers
No metro in the US held enough vouchers to meet soaring demand, with Miami and other cities in Florida standing out for disparities between available vouchers and renters who need them
by Ben Verde Apr 18
Real estate industry welcomes FHA premium cuts, with caveats
Premium cuts are expected to save borrowers $678M a year but don't apply to existing loans or release homeowners who have built up equity from 'life-of-loan' requirements
by Matt Carter Feb 23
New-home sales continue modest rise — but market 'lull' lies ahead
New-home sales rose 5.8% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 640,000, according to data released Friday by the US Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development
by Ben Verde Dec 23
After 2-year ordeal, FHA borrowers can now buy private flood insurance
The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday prevailed in expanding flood insurance choices for homebuyers with Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages
by Marian McPherson Nov 22