Where land-use regulations are driving up housing costs

President Donald Trump has made deregulation a policy pillar for his second term — and housing regulations are up for review. Homebuilders say that federal rules have driven up the cost of building a home. Many mortgage professionals want to release Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from conservatorship. And there were no shortage of complaints about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the...

Trump says he’s giving “serious consideration” to releasing Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Two days after Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte said any decision over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac exiting government conservatorship would be up to President Trump and Trump alone, the president has weighed in. In a message posted on Truth Social Wednesday night, Trump said “I am giving serious consideration to bringing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public.” He added that...

Fraud, mismanagement led to millions in losses for Houston Housing Authority

As issues continue to persist across the country for local housing authorities, the situation in Houston has led to an investigation by prominent local media outlets and a commissioned report by outside legal counsel. The probe found that mismanagement of contractors and the submission of fraudulent paperwork likely led to millions of dollars in losses. Stemming from a much-touted addition of air...

Spring Home Sales Sputter in U.S. as High Costs Weigh on Buyers

Housing Inventory Rises to Highest Level Since 2020 Sales of existing U.S. homes dropped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2 million in April 2025, hitting their lowest level since October 2024, according to new data released by Redfin. The figure marks a 0.2% decline from March 2025, and a 1.1% drop year-over-year--breaking a seven-month streak of annual gains. Pending home sales, a leading...

NAR: Americans want a tax plan that supports the American dream

As Congress continues its effort to rewrite major portions of the tax code, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) unveiled new polling showing just what the American people are looking for in the legislation. The national survey shows overwhelming bipartisan support for tax provisions that strengthen homeownership, support small business owners and the middle class, and unlock more housing...

Competition for HELOC business heats up as home equity grows

John Toohig stood at a podium as the moderator of a panel about home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and asked an illustrative question of the audience of mortgage professionals. “How many of you have a mortgage first lien, 30-year with a 4% coupon or lower?” A majority raised their hands. “You are all the problem,” he said, garnering a ruckus of laughter. His point was ostensibly about...

Longbridge’s new proprietary reverse mortgage aims to preserve home equity for heirs

Citing the desire among many older homeowners to leave their homes to members of their family, New Jersey-based reverse mortgage lender and servicer Longbridge Financial has announced a new proprietary reverse mortgage product that aims to help borrowers preserve home equity for their heirs. The latest offering in the company’s Platinum line of proprietary reverse mortgage products, Platinum Preserve...

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