Why buyers shouldn’t count on a future refi to save money
While many borrowers take on a mortgage in the hope of refinancing when rates drop, a new report warns against counting on a refi as a financial lifeline.
August 27, 2025
Dave Gallagher
Director, News Reporting
Dave's journalism career spans 24 years covering business, the economy and real estate in Northwest Washington. He's also a numbers nerd, examining data to spot emerging trends in industries. Having started his career as a sports writer, he's a lifelong baseball and soccer fan and recently discovered pickleball. He grew up in Yosemite National Park and earned his journalism degree at Humboldt State University in northern California.
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- Buyers are turning away from new homes — unless they’re cheapNew home sales were down 8.2% in July compared to a year ago despite an uptick in builder incentives. But those priced under $300k are selling the fastest.August 25, 2025
- Mortgage rates fall, real estate stocks jump after Fed speechFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggested that the board is ready to start cutting rates, which could mean a boost for home sales and construction.August 22, 2025
- Is the housing market slowly getting back on track?In what could be promising signs for the fall market, existing home sales increased 2% in July and mortgage rates are holding steady at 10-month lows.August 21, 2025
- New listings hold the key to market momentumActive listings are up year-over-year, but sales remain slow. Why? Because fresh inventory — not overall supply — spurs buyer activity, a new analysis finds.August 20, 2025
- Battle over mandatory NAR membership heads to appeals courtNAR was on a winning streak in July as three lawsuits naming the association as a defendant were dismissed. All of those dismissals are now being challenged.August 19, 2025
- Construction ticks up, but builders are still glumSingle-family housing permits, starts and completions all rose in July, but the industry continues to face strong headwinds, led by softening demand.August 19, 2025
- Summer home sale pace stumbles to 10-year lowSome potential sellers are holding off on putting their homes on the market after seeing other listings stall, new housing data from Redfin and Zillow suggest.August 18, 2025
- After a year of NAR’s new rules, commissions are … up?A new report found that despite industry fears, commission rates have ticked higher since buyer agreements changed and offers of compensation moved off the MLS.August 16, 2025
- Credit history hitting home insurance costs harder than climateHomeowners with lower credit scores can pay more for insurance than those who live in a disaster-prone area but have higher scores, a new CFA report found.August 16, 2025
- Mortgage rates hit 10-month low. Will buyers bite?Lower rates may not be enough to motivate buyers amid inflation concerns and stalling inventory growth, but economists say a fall upswing is still possible.August 14, 2025
- Mixed inflation news signals ‘cloudier’ path for mortgage ratesWhile short-term interest rate cuts are still on the table, “a Fed cut doesn’t guarantee relief,” especially when looking at recent rate trends.August 12, 2025
- DOJ settles with rentals company in RealPage software caseGreystar, a major property management firm, will cooperate with the agency’s ongoing case against the proptech over rental pricing algorithms.August 11, 2025
- After a year of change, KW is turning the spotlight on AICo-founder Gary Keller will also be discussing the state of the housing market in the first major Keller Williams event since the company named a new CEO.August 9, 2025
- Homie tries to revive antitrust case against NAR, top brokeragesThe Utah-based flat-fee brokerage is challenging the mid-July dismissal of its lawsuit alleging anticompetitive behavior and steering.August 8, 2025
- Mortgage rates hit 4-month low; will the downward trend last?The weak jobs report released last week pushed 30-year rates closer to the 6.5% range, but economists warn the risk of inflation could drive them back up.August 7, 2025
- Compass v. NWMLS update: Request to pause discovery deniedA Washington state judge issues a new ruling in Compass’ case against Northwest MLS; in Missouri, Howard Hanna’s settlement in the Gibson case moves forward.August 7, 2025
- Agent-buyer connections driving Zillow’s mortgage growthOverall revenue beat expectations — again — jumping 15% in the second quarter, thanks in large part to big gains in rentals and home loans.August 6, 2025
- Lender, brokerage implicated in alleged kickback schemeHomebuyers have filed six lawsuits claiming that a national mortgage company paid a local Raleigh firm $15K/mo for exclusive referrals in violation of RESPA.August 5, 2025
- 3 key takeaways from a week of economic upheavalGrowing concerns about the weakening labor market and inflation could impact the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates.August 4, 2025
