Better Home & Finance names veteran Barry Feierstein as chief operating officer, bolstering its executive bench to drive operational scale, organizational alignment, and execution as the AI-powered mortgage lender prepares for expanded growth in 2026

Cooling price growth and a rising months’ supply are easing affordability pressures, pushing housing affordability to its strongest level since 2022 despite conditions remaining above pre-pandemic norms

An empirical investigation finds that borrowers using Zillow Home Loans pay statistically higher mortgage costs compared with similar borrowers at other lenders, resulting in significant lifetime cost “overcharges” on 30-year loans

A Homes.com year-end review shows listings rose faster than expected in 2025, price appreciation moderated, and sales edged higher, setting the stage for a more balanced market in 2026

Realtor.com data show U.S. homebuyers now need about seven years to save for a typical downpayment — an improvement from 2022, but still roughly double pre-pandemic norms, with sharp regional disparities persisting

Mortgage rates are driving cautious buyer reentry, lifting existing-home sales modestly in November, while limited inventory and affordability pressures continue to constrain origination volume

The GSE projects a gradual housing market rebound through 2026, with rising home sales, moderating price growth, and mortgage activity improving as interest rates slowly ease

Single-family rent growth has slowed, signaling easing rental pressure in many markets and potential shifts in borrower demand, underwriting assumptions, and purchase opportunities for mortgage originators