Home equity in the U.S. has risen nearly 80 percent since 2020 – up from $19.5 trillion to $35 trillion, according to data from the Federal Reserve. American homeowners are increasingly experiencing the lock-in effect...
Read MoreAnalysts are concerned that China and other foreign countries – which own approximately $1.32 trillion of U.S. mortgage-backed securities (MBS) -- could offload their MBS holdings in retaliation to President Trump’s tariffs. Major sales of...
Read MoreThe FHFA’s Housing Price Index was released on March 25. The index found that house prices rose by 0.2 percent in January 2025 and 4.8 percent from January 2024 to January 2025. Read More
Read MoreFHFA director Bill Pulte does not intend to lower the loan limit for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs). The standard loan limit increased by 5.2 percent between 2024 and 2025 and currently sits...
Read MoreFannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s minimum insurance coverage requirements for loans that they purchase have become more complex following the Surfside Condo collapse in 2021. These insurance requirements ensure that debt can be repaid and homeowners can...
Read MoreNation-wide housing supply remains low, but some states are seeing their housing supply return to pre-pandemic levels. The reasons include differences in permitting and construction costs, with most new construction occurring in Southern states. Additionally,...
Read MoreWASHINGTON, February 11, 2025 – The Structured Finance Association (SFA), a leading trade association representing the structured finance and securitization industry, said the federal government needs to protect financial markets from unruly disruptions if it decides...
Read MoreOn January 28, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released its House Price Index. Month-over-month house prices were largely unchanged in November but rose 4.2 percent year-over-year. The report attributed the slower house price growth...
Read MoreDuring President Trump’s first day in office, he signed several Executive Orders. The series included the “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis” memorandum promoting lowering the cost of housing...
Read MoreOn December 17, the CFPB issued the Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing final rule. The final rule: (1) clarifies that voluntary tax assessments and liens – including PACE financing – are considered extensions of...
Read MoreThe Wall Street Journal reports that the construction industry may face challenges due to President Elect Trump's potential immigration and trade policies. Deportations and trade tariffs, particularly on materials from Mexico and Canada, could lead...
Read MoreThe New York Times writes that mortgage rates have fluctuated in recent months and now stand at 6.79%. While many homebuyers had hoped for further rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, uncertainty about future cuts has...
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