Economist Doug Duncan weighs in on the challenges facing economic forecasters today, cutbacks in economic reports produced by Fannie and Freddie, Fed independence, and more
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
MBA forecasts rates will probably stay right where they are now in 2026, as investors have already priced in future Fed rate cuts. But look for 3 years of steady growth in home sales ahead
The silver lining in deteriorating consumer confidence is that the weaker job market means the Fed is expected to slash rates several times this year and next, even as tariffs fuel inflation
Fannie Mae survey echoes polls by the University of Michigan and the Conference Board that found uncertainty over Trump administration's tariff policies is weighing on consumer confidence
While just 26% of Americans said May was a good time to buy, that's up from 23% in April and 14% a year ago, an all-time survey low in Fannie Mae National Housing Survey
The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment slipped to 50.8 in May, its second lowest reading ever, as Americans fretted about tariffs, inflation and the job market
Republicans are less worried about the future than Democrats and Independents, but 'consumers from all 3 political affiliations are in agreement that the outlook has weakened since February'
Inflation expectations surged after President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on goods from China, Canada and Mexico, a new University of Michigan survey of consumers finds
Americans are more hopeful that the economy is on the right track than they were a year ago, but only 1 in 5 thought December was a good time to buy a home, Fannie Mae surveys show
While only 23% of Americans surveyed by mortgage giant Fannie Mae in November thought it was a good time to buy a home, that's up from 14% a year ago when mortgage rates were peaking
Housing market sentiment rose in October to the highest level since February 2022, but 8 in 10 consumers still said it was a bad time to buy: Fannie Mae survey
More than 8 in 10 Americans still said it was a bad time to buy a home, and mortgage rates have been climbing again since Fannie Mae conducted the monthly National Housing Survey
Falling mortgage rates should help boost home sales by nearly 10% next year. But in the meantime, inventory shortages and affordability challenges are keeping a lid on sales in many markets
Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey shows there's greater optimism about the future, but fewer than 1 in 5 consumers thought August was a good time to buy a home