Recent updates to secondary-market rules for interested party contributions and incentives mean lenders will have to pay more attention to how they use certain strategies that have become popular in the current market. The updates, which generally are in effect now and become mandatory in early September, add additional precision in some cases and more […]
Fannie, Freddie change rules for contributions, incentives Read More »
After a few months of relative calm, President Donald Trump issued a flurry of new tariffs on key trade partners while indicating an extension of deadlines for most countries to reach a trade deal with the U.S.. Trump paused his new global tariff regime less than a week after it was announced on April 2,
Back on the tariff roller coaster: Trump imposes new levies, extends deadlines Read More »
Economic uncertainty and tariff negotiations have left home builders that lenders increasingly partner with feeling blue. Builder confidence in June sank to a low akin to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the sector’s latest monthly index. The homebuilding industry is dealing with the high mortgage rates suppressing stronger housing demand, and unique
NAHB’s top economist weighs tariffs, immigration, economics Read More »
Walker & Dunlop has announced the closing of a $240 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) fund — the largest in the firm’s history — that’s aimed at supporting the development of affordable housing across 10 states. Fund 124 will finance 18 housing developments totaling 1,701 units in California, Texas, Maryland, Utah, Missouri, Michigan, Connecticut,
Walker & Dunlop closes $240 million affordable housing fund Read More »
The U.S. Conference of Mayors formally endorsed a bipartisan statement to support the Let America Build campaign — a housing policy initiative backed by Realtor.com — during the organization’s annual meeting in Tampa on Sunday. The resolution — introduced by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson — acknowledges the mounting housing affordability crisis, and it calls for
Mayors back Realtor.com’s campaign to address the housing crisis Read More »
President Donald Trump announced on Friday via social media that he’s ending trade talks between the U.S. and Canada. The move could impact tariffs on one of America’s largest trade partners as a temporary pause is set to end early next month. “We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE
Trump says he’s terminating trade negotiations with Canada Read More »
New Home Co. has completed a previously announced acquisition of Landsea Homes, the companies announced Wednesday. The deal creates a top-25 national homebuilder based on the number of new homes sold in 2024. Matthew Zaist, who currently serves as president and CEO of New Home, will led the combined company. New Home was the nation’s
New Home Co. acquires Landsea, forming a top 25 homebuilder Read More »
New home sales missed sales estimates significantly in Wednesday’s report and we have negative revisions to the previous months. The builders’ profit margins are dwindling, which means housing construction, which has been at early COVID-19 recession levels for some time, could worsen if mortgage rates stay elevated or head even higher. So, instead of focusing
US housing construction is dead with current mortgage rates Read More »
Home prices continued to rise in May, reaching a new high even as fears of tariffs, trade wars, and economic uncertainty swirl through the broader economy. The median sale price for a home reached an all-time record of $396,500 during the four weeks ending June 15, according to Redfin. This was up 1% from the
High home prices hide broader slowdown as demand drops Read More »
Even though new home sales showed growth last month, the homebuilders — both big and small — have no desire to grow housing permits or starts with 7% mortgage rates. Housing starts and permits peaked in 2022 and have been fluctuating at levels similar to the early stages of the COVID-19 recession for some time
Homebuilders have no motivation to grow permits with 7% rates Read More »