Affordability in the U.S. housing sector improved sharply as rising incomes, falling mortgage rates, and flat home prices boosted U.S. house-buying power nearly 10% year-over-year, though supply constraints remain a key risk
Washington, D.C. reclaimed the top spot in RentCafe’s 2025 Most Livable Metro Areas ranking, edging out Portland, Maine, as Midwestern cities dominated the broader top 20 on affordability and quality-of-life measures
Falling mortgage rates are driving a surge in buyer interest and mortgage applications, even as home sales remain slow and buyers gain negotiating power amid rising inventory, according to Redfin
Ginnie Mae’s FY25 financial results underscore record MBS issuance, sustained investor confidence, and continued execution of its mission to expand affordable mortgage access across economic cycles
Major banking, credit union, and mortgage trade groups are pressing the Trump Administration for immediate regulatory changes to lower mortgage costs and ease first-time buyer affordability pressures
A recent House Financial Services Committee hearing spotlighted sharp partisan divisions over HUD and FHA oversight, housing affordability, civil rights enforcement, and the agency’s direction under the Trump administration
Zillow forecasts that easing mortgage rates, slower price growth, and rising incomes will make homeownership affordable in 20 of the nation’s largest metros by 2026, the broadest improvement since 2022
Nearly 70% of homebuyers apply with only one lender, missing out on meaningful monthly and long-term savings, Zillow finds
First American reports affordability is improving to its best level in more than three years, helping thaw the housing market, though high rates and lingering lock-in effects continue to temper a full recovery
A modest late-year dip in mortgage rates brought limited relief, but home affordability remains worse than historic norms nationwide