As the industry transitioned into a new era, big-player power moves, shifting rates, reform at NAR, technology advancements and more made 2025 another consequential year for real estate
The Trump administration claims quotas for low-income borrowers hurt the middle class. Consumer groups say multitudes of working class and minority homebuyers will be sent packing.
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
Home sales should break through the 5M mark next year as more inventory gradually comes on the market and home prices decline, economists at the Mortgage Bankers Association predict
Fair Isaac's Mortgage Direct License Program is aimed at eliminating mark-ups charged by credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — backers of competing VantageScore
Despite an unusually active fall market this year, the housing market has finally settled into a slower pace for winter and returned to seasonal norms
Homebuyer demand is still stronger than a year ago, but seasonal shifts have pushed the mix of business toward refinancing, which accounted for 59% of loan applications last week
The all-stock deal to acquire parent of RoundPoint Mortgage Servicing would nearly double UWM's servicing portfolio to $400B, if it closes as expected in Q2 2026
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
Monthly purchases of $13B in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities may be taking pressure off mortgage rates — and setting the stage for a more attractive public offering
Popular with 1st-time homebuyers, FHA loans have higher delinquency rates, and borrowers are more likely to end up underwater or in foreclosure when home prices fall
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
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
Initial unemployment claims hit highest level since September, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warns official data could be overestimating job creation by up to 60K jobs a month
With mortgage rates still hovering near 2025 lows, purchase loan applications hit their second-highest level of the year last week after adjusting for seasonal factors
The 9-3 split vote reflects differing views on whether the central bank's biggest worry is inflation or rising unemployment, with data lagging after the government shutdown