AI politics reach housing finance as Fannie, Freddie drop Anthropic

The FHFA ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sever ties with Anthropic, signaling how politics and regulation may shape AI adoption in housing finance. Continue reading

Mortgage rates have dipped below 6%. Here’s where it may unlock more transactions

The drop to 5.99 percent on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages in the wake of shifting tariff policies could unlock transactions in select markets in the Midwest and South, according to an analysis from Realtor.com. Continue reading

Trump’s mortgage bond promise already bringing rates down

Although $200 billion sounds like a lot of money, the impact and longevity of Fannie and Freddie’s bond purchases on mortgage rates won’t be as big as the Federal Reserve’s. Continue reading

Pulte pledges Fannie, Freddie’s help in curbing home purchases by institutional investors

Trump’s promise to “ban” large institutional 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. Continue reading

Fannie, Freddie regulator vows to protect consumers from rising credit report fees

FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s tweet dented Equifax, Experian and TransUnion shares as the MBA renewed calls to do away with tri-merge reporting. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie’s low-income homebuyer goals dialed back

Trump administration claims quotas for low-income borrowers hurt the middle class. NAR says where is the data? Consumer and civil rights groups say hundreds of thousands of working class and minority homebuyers will be sent packing. Continue reading

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. Continue reading

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. Continue reading

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are quietly stockpiling mortgages

Monthly purchases of $13 billion in mortgages and MBS may be taking pressure off mortgage rates — and setting the stage for a more attractive public offering. Continue reading

Rate cuts, podcasts, buyer’s agents: Inman’s Top 5

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers. Continue reading