US could sweep Fannie, Freddie stakes into sovereign wealth fund
Some experts are intrigued by the idea floated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying it could help put the mortgage giants on sound footing without boosting mortgage rates
by Matt Carter Mar 24
Trump administration lifts FHA appraisal bias protections
Lenders are no longer under orders to keep a sharper lookout for appraisal bias or have a process for helping borrowers who suspect appraisal bias to ask for a 'reconsideration of value'
by Matt Carter Mar 21
Surprise Fed move takes some pressure off of mortgage rates
Central bank dials back Treasury rolloffs but is not ready to cut short-term interest rates, as Fed policymakers indicate they're more worried about inflation than they were in December
by Matt Carter Mar 19
Pulte chair of Fannie, Freddie after 14 board members are purged
Less than a week after being confirmed by the Senate to lead the FHFA, homebuilder scion Bill Pulte launches a campaign to cut alleged wasteful spending at the mortgage giants
by Matt Carter Mar 18
Waters, Warren sound alarm on HUD cost-cutting plan
Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent HUD Secretary Scott Turner a letter demanding that he halt plans to cut staff at the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
by Marian McPherson Mar 17
Bill Pulte confirmed to lead Fannie and Freddie's federal regulator
Mortgage industry groups support the Trump administration's picks to lead the FHFA and CFPB, but questions remain about the prospects for dramatic policy shifts at the agencies
by Matt Carter Mar 14
Inflation, job worries drive 'horrific' consumer confidence report
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'
by Matt Carter Mar 14
LA pauses new Section 8 applications amid funding cuts
The Section 8 program, which provides assistance for low-income households, seniors and individuals with disabilities, has suspended voucher applications due to funding reductions
by Richelle Hammiel Mar 14
Encouraging CPI inflation report does little for mortgage rates
Homebuyers have responded to a pullback in mortgage rates from January highs, but tariffs on imported goods could keep inflation elevated and halt the downward trend in rates
by Matt Carter Mar 12
National Flood Insurance Program set to expire at midnight March 14
As the March 14 debt ceiling deadline and potential government shutdown looms, Republican Sen. John Kennedy introduces bill to reauthorize the NFIP under its current form until Sept. 30
by Matt Carter Mar 6
Democrats weighing government shutdown to protest DOGE cuts
As March 14 debt ceiling deadline approaches, housing and mortgage finance industries brace for repercussions of DOGE cuts to HUD, FHA and Ginnie Mae workforce and programs
by Matt Carter Mar 4
Inflation is cooling. But is the economy about to crash?
After moving in the wrong direction for 3 months, annual inflation cooled to 2.5% in January. But the biggest drop in consumer spending since 2021 has 1 model predicting a shrinking economy
by Matt Carter Feb 28
Rocket Homes off the hook as Trump's CFPB drops lawsuits
Dec. 23 RESPA complaint that accused Rocket Homes of favoring real estate agents who steered clients to Rocket Mortgage is dismissed 'without prejudice' by the CFPB's new leadership
by Matt Carter Feb 27
Trump signals tariffs on Canada, Mexico will take effect March 4
There's rising anxiety among investors and consumers about the potential impacts of a trade war, surveys show, with stock prices and bond yields retreating as March 4 deadline looms
by Matt Carter Feb 25
NAR, Mortgage Bankers Association back CFPB nominee
The National Association of Realtors and several other housing groups urged Congress to confirm Consumer Financial Protection Bureau nominee Jonathan McKernan
by Marian McPherson Feb 25