‘I’d love to fire his ass,’ Trump says of Fed Chair Jerome Powell

The president jokingly told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that his job is also on the line if interest rates don’t come down, as poll shows inflation will be a key issue in 2026 midterm elections. Continue reading

Rebounding mortgage rates dampen homebuyers’ appetites

After hitting a 2025 low on Oct. 28, mortgage rates continue to rise as hopes dim for a December Fed rate cut. Futures market investors on Wednesday saw only a 34 percent chance of a Dec. 10 rate cut, down from 94 percent in October. Continue reading

Fallout over Fed policymakers’ investments reshaping the board

The resignation of Biden appointee Adriana Kugler and pending retirement of Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic renews speculation that Trump will seek to undermine Fed independence. Continue reading

NAR economist predicts post-shutdown real estate ‘boom’

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said Friday there could be a brief bump in home sales after the government shutdown. Here are the other market forces he’s watching. Continue reading

Homebuying off to strongest November start since 2022

Rebounding mortgage rates didn’t stop buyers from shopping for deals last week, with requests for purchase loans up 6 percent last week compared to the week before and 31 percent from a year ago, according to lender data tracked by the Mortgage Bankers… Continue reading

Demand for mortgages cools as rates rebound from 2025 low

Mortgage rates hit a new 2025 low of 6.12 percent on Oct. 28, but have been on the rise after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said there’s no guarantee the Fed will cut rates for a third time in December. Continue reading

Embattled Fed Governor Lisa Cook says tariffs fueling inflation

In her first public speech since President Trump’s attempt to remove her, the economist said she expects a “one-time increase” in prices, with inflation trending back down toward the 2 percent target once “the effects are behind us.” Continue reading

Is the housing market in the midst of a recession? Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent thinks so

The Treasury Secretary blamed the Federal Reserve for the current housing recession and said that if the central bank cut interest rates more quickly, the recession could end. Continue reading

Mortgage rates spike as Powell warns December rate cut is iffy

After the Federal Reserve approved the second rate cut of the year, mortgage rates moved in the opposite direction as investors who fund most home loans worry about inflation. Continue reading

Lower mortgage rates spur homebuyers, but mostly refis

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages hit another 2025 low on Tuesday, dropping to 6.12 percent, nearly a full percentage point lower than January. Rates now have less room to come down. Continue reading