Mortgage rates down sharply as tariff worries spark flight to safety

Heightened fears of a trade war and recession have investors convinced that the Fed will start cutting rates again in June — a sentiment that gives mortgage rates more room to come down. Continue reading

Opendoor, Fathom stocks flirt with $1 threshold — and with disaster

Companies that can’t keep their shares over $1 risk being delisted from the stock market. Opendoor shares crossed that threshold this week, while Fathom crossed it last month. Continue reading

Trump announces universal tariffs of at least 10% on most nations

Sweeping plan imposes higher duties on “worst offenders” and is in addition to 25 percent tariff on foreign automobiles slated to take effect April 3. Continue reading

Federal judge saves HUD fair housing grants from DOGE cuts

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Department of Housing and Urban Development from canceling 78 Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants. The judge’s decision comes as Democratic congressmembers demand HUD edit its cost-cutting plans. Continue reading

FHFA gutting Fannie, Freddie minority homeownership programs

Flood of orders published without explanation on social media target programs and practices designed to boost lending in minority communities, protect borrowers from unfair or deceptive practices. Continue reading

Trump’s FHFA could rein in Fannie and Freddie’s high-end lending

Cutting the mortgage giants’ $806,500 conforming loan limit could relieve pressure on home prices but leave more homebuyers seeking jumbo mortgages at higher rates from private lenders. Continue reading

US could sweep Fannie, Freddie stakes into sovereign wealth fund

Some experts are intrigued by the idea floated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying it could help put the mortgage giants on sound footing without boosting mortgage rates. Continue reading

Trump administration lifts FHA appraisal bias protections

Lenders no longer under orders to keep a sharper lookout for appraisal bias or have a process for helping borrowers who suspect appraisal bias to ask for a “reconsideration of value.” Continue reading

Surprise Fed move takes some pressure off of mortgage rates

Central bank dials back Treasury rolloffs but is not ready to cut short-term interest rates, as Fed policymakers indicate they’re more worried about inflation than they were in December. Continue reading

Pulte chair of Fannie, Freddie after 14 board members are purged

Less than a week after being confirmed by the Senate to lead the FHFA, homebuilder scion launches campaign focused on making homebuying more affordable by cutting alleged wasteful spending at the mortgage giants. Continue reading