SmartCitiesDive, Jan. 9, 2026-Ryan KushnerThe share of first-time homeowners fell to a record-low 21% in 2025 as the average age of a first-time homebuyer reached a record-high 40, according to …
Category: Top National News
FHA Usage Will Continue to Outgrow Private MI in 2026
National Mortgage News, Jan. 9, 2025-Brad FinkelsteinInsurance-in-force growth at the government-run Federal Housing Administration will continue to outpace its private counterparts going forward because of the current state of the …
U.S. Housing Starts Fall to Lowest Level Since May 2020
Bloomberg News, Jan. 9, 2026-Michael SassoNew residential construction decreased 4.6% to an annual rate of 1.25 million homes in October, government figures released Friday showed. Click here for more (subscription)
Bridge Financing Isn’t the Only Way to Buy a Home on Contingency
Orange County (California) Register, Jan. 9, 2026-Jeff Lazerson Buyers caught up in contingent sales sometimes miss out on opportunities, however. This is because they need to quickly sell their own …
The VieauxPoint: What 2025 Actually Taught Us About Mortgage, Momentum, And What Matters Next
National Mortgage Professional, Jan. 8, 2026-Brian VieauxI’ve been around this industry long enough to know the difference between a “tough year” and a turning year. The year 2025 was the …
CFPB Raises HMDA Exemption and Escrow Thresholds
National Mortgage News, Jan. 8, 2026-Andrew MartinezLenders with less than $59 million in assets last year won’t have to share their home loan data with the government.Click here for more …
Conforming Mortgage Rates Should Remain Around 6% in 2026
National Mortgage News, Jan. 8, 2026-Brad FinkelsteinMortgage rates are starting 2026 marginally higher, according to Freddie Mac, with many observers expecting them to approach and possibly even move below the …
Western Pennsylvania, Small Metros Surge in Home Price Growth
HousingWire, Jan. 8, 2026-Jonathan DelozierHome prices in Johnstown and other western Pennsylvania markets posted some of the strongest gains in the nation in 2025 — dramatically outperforming the country’s largest …
Americans Are Changing Where They’re Moving. Here’s How That Could Affect Commercial Real Estate
CNBC, Jan. 7, 2025-Diana OlickHistorically, Americans moved in order to find better economic opportunities. But the driver has now shifted from the “Go West, young man” mentality, where free and …
Why 2026 Might Finally be the Year Homeowners Let Go of Their 2–3 Percent Rates
HousingWire, Jan. 7, 2025-Tim DiebertFor the last few years, many homeowners have felt like they were holding a winning hand, a two to three percent mortgage rate that seemed too …