Tag Archives: Jerome Powell

Government shutdown nails housing programs in week 2

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The longer the government shutdown lasts, the more it impacts the real estate industry. Here are the latest updates on the cusp of the shutdown’s third week. Continue reading →

Mortgage rates ebb as Powell hints at end of ‘quantitative tightening’

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Fed chair dismisses suggestion that central bank could resume its purchases of mortgage-backed securities to bring down mortgage rates and improve housing affordability. Continue reading →

Supreme Court not ready to let Trump boot Fed Governor Lisa Cook

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The legal battle over the Fed’s independence will drag into next year, with the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in January on the Trump administration’s bid to fire Cook. Continue reading →

Should they stay or go (down) now? Forecasters are split on where mortgage rates will be in 2026

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In predicting that mortgage rates will drop below 6 percent next year, economists at Fannie Mae are more optimistic about growth and less worried about inflation than their colleagues at the Mortgage Bankers Association. Continue reading →

Bess Freedman on the market, private listings and 2026

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The New York City-headquartered firm has long thought of itself as a steady tortoise, CEO Bess Freedman told Inman recently, and during uncertain markets, that’s something that attracts real estate agents. Continue reading →

Trump asks Supreme Court to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

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Lower courts have ruled Cook can continue to serve on the central bank’s board while she challenges the Trump adminstration’s move to fire her over unproven mortgage allegations. Continue reading →

Fed signals it’s just getting started with 1/4 percentage point rate cut

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Recent Trump appointee Stephen Miran was the lone dissenter in Wednesday’s 11-1 vote, holding out for a bigger, 1/2 percentage point rate cut advocated by the president. Continue reading →

Trump wins one battle, loses another as Fed policymakers kick off 2-day rate-setting meeting

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Trump appointee Stephen Miran confirmed as Fed governor in 48-47 Senate vote, but appeals court upholds ruling that Lisa Cook can stay on board while she contests legality of removal order. Continue reading →

Rising inflation makes ‘jumbo’ Fed rate cut unlikely next week

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Initial jobless claims climbed last week to the highest level since Oct. 23, 2021, but investors and economists are expecting three small rate cuts this year rather than a dramatic move next week. Continue reading →

Homebuyer demand surges as mortgage rates tumble to 2025 low

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Applications for purchase mortgages hit their highest level since July last week, and rates keep falling on weak jobs reports and more encouraging inflation data Continue reading →