The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is considering major revisions to its Code of Ethics and policy statements, citing legal risks and the need for clarity. Meanwhile, a proposed law in Texas could complicate enforcement of its current rules.An agenda for NAR’s upcoming legislative meetings —

On Monday, FHFA Director Bill Pulte called on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. His exact tweet was: “Jay Powell needs to lower interest rates – enough is enough. President Trump has crushed Biden’s inflation, and there is no reason not to lower rates. The housing marke

Millennial homebuyers (born between 1981 and 1996) are reshaping the real estate landscape with their strong preference for digital tools and technology-driven experiences. As the largest cohort of homebuyers in the U.S., their tech-first approach influences how properties are marketed, searched and

Last week, we witnessed a pivotal moment for mortgage rates and the bond market, which some pundits have said has grown increasingly aware of our rising national debt and deficits. A bond auction last week was perceived as having soft demand, prompting media outlets and market speakers to suggest th

Releasing the GSEs from conservatorship became a hot topic again this week after President Trump posted that he was giving it “serious consideration” on Wednesday, followed by a Bloomberg interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday.The timing of the president’s announcement took many b

An existing reverse mortgage-backed securities issuer and wholesale lender is making a new play for the retail space, according to a new announcement.GoodLife Home Loans, dba of Bellevue, Wash.-based Traditional Mortgage Acceptance Corporation (TMAC), announced this week that it has launched a new r

A Rockdale County, Ga., judge has approved a $40,000 settlement between the Channing Cove Homeowners Association (HOA) and Michelle Bernard — a longtime homeowner who sued the HOA over a disputed lien on her property.Bernard’s legal battle began after the HOA placed a lien on her home for a little u

Counseling is an essential part of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) origination process, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently refreshed some of its guidance documents for HECM counselors to offer essential information.HUD this month published a “toolk

A long-standing central Colorado real estate firm has joined the Century 21 network, bringing more than five decades of local knowledge. First Colorado Land Office, Inc. — established in 1973 and now led by fifth-generation Salida, Colo., native Jeffrey Post — is now doing business as Century 21 Com

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and its parent company Hanna Holdings have made their feelings about the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) clear. In a letter sent to NAR and over 70 MLSs on Wednesday evening, company CEO Hoby Hanna called CCP “misguided” and a

I know this is a crazy stat, given how much the builders’ confidence is falling, but new home sales just had the highest monthly sales print in years. Can this be revised lower in the future? Yes, just like the previous months have been. But there’s a bigger story here that I’ll address because this

Hurricane season is set to commence on June 1, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — which has been experiencing organizational challenges for the past several weeks — has reportedly rescinded its guiding plan for agency objectives and priorities, according to multiple FEMA employees

Now a little more than four months into the second Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has appointed a new chief information officer (CIO), Eric Sidle, with experience in the electric vehicle space and with a former position at tech giant Apple, Inc. on h

Anywhere Real Estate has made an offer to acquire luxury brokerage firm Douglas Elliman. The offer was first reported by Bloomberg.According to Bloomberg’s sources, the bid would value Douglas Elliman at more than $4 a share. The firm’s stock ended Thursday at $2.14 a share, giving the firm a market

New-home sales continue to be a bright spot in a housing market that’s struggling with high mortgage rates and other economic headwinds.According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), new homes in April sold at seasonally adjusted annual r

The Appraisal Institute (AI) executive facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct is no longer serving in his position.AI president Paula Konikoff announced on the trade group’s LinkedIn page Wednesday evening that Craig Steinley has been removed as AI’s vice president, stating that its board

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

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. An

Arizona real estate leader Scott Kumler and his team — The Kumler Group — have joined eXp Realty, leaving My Home Group after a high-performing 2024. The 53-member Phoenix Valley team closed more than $80 million in sales across 192 transactions last year, ranking among the top five teams at their f

Guaranteed Rate Affinity (GRA) announced this week that it has appointed longtime reverse mortgage industry professional Dino Guadagnino to serve as regional vice president of reverse mortgages. His arrival comes as GRA focuses on “strengthening its commitment” to the space and to “the senior borrow