Trump administration lays out 5-year goals for Fannie, Freddie

Equitable housing and climate change risk are out, deregulation and combating fraud are in. The plan sheds little light on Trump administration’s bid to spur homebuilders into expanding housing supply. Continue reading

Government shutdown nails housing programs in week 2

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

Feds charge Trump nemesis Letitia James with bank fraud

James calls allegations over $109,600 mortgage baseless retribution, and a “continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.” Continue reading

Trump’s Fannie, Freddie public offering might not have much impact on mortgage rates

If the government keeps tight control over the mortgage giants and provides an “implicit guarantee” of their debt, rates might rise by 1/5 of a percentage point, Stanford researchers conclude. Continue reading

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

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

How a government shutdown would affect real estate agents

The National Flood Insurance Program, set to lapse on Sept. 30, and federal agencies critical to processing mortgage paperwork like HUD, FHA, VA, USDA and the IRS face staff reductions. Continue reading

Trump asks Supreme Court to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

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

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

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

Homebuyer demand surges as mortgage rates tumble to 2025 low

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

Fed Governor Lisa Cook can keep her job pending court appeal

Trump’s move to fire Cook likely violated her right to due process, and “for cause” provision for removal is limited to governor’s behavior in office, judge rules in granting preliminary injunction. Continue reading