Will mortgage rates go higher if the government takes the GSEs out of conservatorship? Many people would say yes if there were no government backing of these two giants, but on Tuesday evening the calculus changed. In a social media post on Tuesday, President Trump expressed his intention to transit

President Trump last week promised a quick answer on whether to remove Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from government conservatorship. And it appears he’s already reached a decision: it’s time to take them ‘public.’In a post published on Truth Social Tuesday night, Trump wrote:Our great Mortgage Agencie

For communities engulfed in the wildfires that took place earlier this year in the Los Angeles area, lives have been upended and additional strain has been placed on an already-stressed housing system in Southern California. But for wildfire victims who are also reverse mortgage borrowers, they may

Move over, real estate agents, and make way for the person who gives homebuyers the financial ability to buy a home – mortgage loan officers (MLOs). Also known as mortgage loan originators or mortgage brokers (although the roles differ slightly —  we’ll talk about it), MLOs are the key to financiall

Depending on where you look for economic news, you may come away with your head spinning. While consumer sentiment surveys are down — with recent changes tied to trade policy announcements with China — the U.S. economy has remained in mostly resilient territory due to consumer spending.But why is th

In a move seen as a blow to the city’s plans to develop affordable housing, the mayor of Fresno, California, announced during a city council meeting that the city has lost a pro-housing designation from the state due to perceived failures in expanding its affordable housing stock.In April 2023, Fres

A federal judge has granted preliminary settlement approval in the Hooper commission lawsuit that involves several high-profile real estate brokerages — including eXp World Holdings, Mark Spain Real Estate, Weichert of North America and Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage.The order signed by U

California-based Partner Real Estate has announced a new business model that offers real estate agents access to tools, coaching and operational infrastructure for less than $5,000 per year.“The industry is at a turning point,” CEO Rudy Lira Kusuma said. “Agents shouldn’t have to spend six figures t

With notable bumps in the road and quickly changing priorities, the road ahead for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during the second Trump administration remains clouded.The White House previously nominated someone for the CFPB’s director position who is largely seen as ideal by hous

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is considering major revisions to its Code of Ethics and policy statements, citing legal risks and the need for clarity. Meanwhile, a proposed law in Texas could complicate enforcement of its current rules.An agenda for NAR’s upcoming legislative meetings —

On Monday, FHFA Director Bill Pulte called on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. His exact tweet was: “Jay Powell needs to lower interest rates – enough is enough. President Trump has crushed Biden’s inflation, and there is no reason not to lower rates. The housing marke

Millennial homebuyers (born between 1981 and 1996) are reshaping the real estate landscape with their strong preference for digital tools and technology-driven experiences. As the largest cohort of homebuyers in the U.S., their tech-first approach influences how properties are marketed, searched and

Last week, we witnessed a pivotal moment for mortgage rates and the bond market, which some pundits have said has grown increasingly aware of our rising national debt and deficits. A bond auction last week was perceived as having soft demand, prompting media outlets and market speakers to suggest th

Releasing the GSEs from conservatorship became a hot topic again this week after President Trump posted that he was giving it “serious consideration” on Wednesday, followed by a Bloomberg interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday.The timing of the president’s announcement took many b

An existing reverse mortgage-backed securities issuer and wholesale lender is making a new play for the retail space, according to a new announcement.GoodLife Home Loans, dba of Bellevue, Wash.-based Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (TMAC), announced this week that it has launched a new r

A Rockdale County, Ga., judge has approved a $40,000 settlement between the Channing Cove Homeowners Association (HOA) and Michelle Bernard — a longtime homeowner who sued the HOA over a disputed lien on her property.Bernard’s legal battle began after the HOA placed a lien on her home for a little u

Counseling is an essential part of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) origination process, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently refreshed some of its guidance documents for HECM counselors to offer essential information.HUD this month published a “toolk

A long-standing central Colorado real estate firm has joined the Century 21 network, bringing more than five decades of local knowledge. First Colorado Land Office, Inc. — established in 1973 and now led by fifth-generation Salida, Colo., native Jeffrey Post — is now doing business as Century 21 Com

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and its parent company Hanna Holdings have made their feelings about the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) clear. In a letter sent to NAR and over 70 MLSs on Wednesday evening, company CEO Hoby Hanna called CCP “misguided” and a

I know this is a crazy stat, given how much the builders’ confidence is falling, but new home sales just had the highest monthly sales print in years. Can this be revised lower in the future? Yes, just like the previous months have been. But there’s a bigger story here that I’ll address because this