Pulte pledges Fannie, Freddie's help in curbing home purchases by institutional investors
Trump's promise to "ban" big investors from buying more single-family homes renews the debate over whether such a move would be legal — or make much of a dent on affordability
by Matt Carter Jan 8
He's been at the MBA and Fannie Mae. Here's who he thinks has the better 2026 mortgage forecast
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
by Matt Carter Dec 31
Why the Federal Reserve won't bend to 'THE TRUMP RULE' in 2026
The next Fed chair may be more receptive to the president's calls for rate cuts, but they'll have to convince other central bank policymakers to give up their independence
by Matt Carter Dec 24
Freddie Mac taps retired Deloitte consultant Kenny Smith as CEO
Smith's expertise in financial services was cited as an asset as the Trump administration prepares to sell part of its ownership stake in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in a public offering
by Matt Carter Dec 17
Fed patches a potential chink in armor protecting its independence
A vote to reappoint 11 of the Fed's 12 regional bank presidents puts an end to speculation that the Trump administration might try to unseat inflation hawks opposed to interest rate cuts
by Matt Carter Dec 11
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
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
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
Rebounding mortgage rates dampen homebuyers' appetites
After hitting a 2025 low on Oct. 28, mortgage rates continue to rise as hopes dim for a December Fed rate cut. Futures market investors see only a 34% chance of a Dec. 10 rate cut.
by Matt Carter Nov 19
Fed Chair Jerome Powell standing in front of the Federal Reserve building to illustrate how the federal reserve impacts real estate.
The resignation of Biden appointee Adriana Kugler and pending retirement of Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic renews speculation that Trump will seek to undermine Fed independence
by Matt Carter Nov 17
HUD shifts homeless policy away from providing permanent housing
$3.9B in competitive grant funding will favor transitional housing with employment and addiction treatment requirements, and allow faith-based groups to provide it
by Matt Carter Nov 14
50-year mortgage
The proposal from Trump is a reminder that the industry must evolve, Darryl Davis writes, but evolution without diligence can lead to structural weakness
by Darryl Davis Nov 13
housing construction, housing, getty
The American Enterprise Institute estimates 64% of homes sold by the largest homebuilders provide permanent mortgage rate buydowns, which often don't count as seller concessions
by Matt Carter Nov 13
There's nobody in charge of looking out for waste, fraud and abuse at Fannie and Freddie's regulator
FHFA acting Inspector General John "Joe" Allen is set to be fired, Reuters reports, and the position is now vacant as the mortgage giants move toward a public offering
by Matt Carter Nov 5