HUD sued over ‘unlawful’ funding cuts; Dems pitch down payment help
The department cut nearly $56M in funding already allocated by Congress. Plus, a proposed down payment matching program; NAHB supports affordability bill.
Updated October 2, 2026
Consumer
Stories for and about homebuyers, sellers, the housing market and the forces that shape the real estate landscape.
- Housing activity hits the brakes as mortgage rates surgeWhile the fall usually provides aspiring buyers with opportunities to enter the housing market, high mortgage rates are getting in the way for many this season.October 1, 2026
- More economic volatility likely as mortgage rates near 7.5%Investors will have a lot to think about next week as key economic data releases start filtering in and Q3 of 2026 comes to an end.September 25, 2026
- Home purchase cancellations likely as rates hit 20-month highMore buyers are backing out, rates are still rising and loan applications are slowing. The one bright spot in the latest batch of economic data: new home sales.September 24, 2026
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- Sellers face a tough choice as 7% mortgage rates suppress demandReducing prices or delisting may be the most viable options for homesellers in some markets as higher borrowing costs continue to deter buyers.September 17, 2026
- Consumer group coalition recommends probes into Zillow, CompassThe groups want state attorneys general to launch targeted investigations. Plus, Trump nominates FHA commissioner; new affordable housing bill introduced; more.September 16, 2026
- Path to lower mortgage rates ‘highly uncertain’ after Fed hikeThe Fed raised short-term rates by a quarter point today for the first time since July 2023. Mortgage rates, meanwhile, are expected to remain elevated.September 16, 2026
- Investors, not the Fed, may influence where mortgage rates go nextIt’s a big week for the Fed, which could raise short-time rates for the first time in over 3 years, but mortgage rates may respond more to investor reactions.Updated September 15, 2026
- Hispanic wealth has risen, homeownership rate has notNAHREP’s 2026 State of Hispanic Wealth report outlines new goals for the next 10 years, while cautioning that federal policies may inhibit progress.September 14, 2026
- Best time to buy a home arriving ‘a bit earlier’ this fallNationally, the best week to buy starts Sept. 27, Realtor.com found. But local conditions vary, with the ideal week arriving later in the season in some areas.September 14, 2026
- Did lending standards overcorrect after the financial crisis?A recent Pew study argues that lending policies, which tightened in the late 2000s, are preventing many Americans from getting mortgages despite reduced risks.September 11, 2026
- Fed ‘will most likely hike’ rates after ‘surprise’ inflation dataInflation, a top focus for the central bank, rose in August, with core inflation higher than expected. Analysts now put the odds of a rate hike at nearly 90%.September 11, 2026
- Mortgage rates top 7% as odds of a Fed hike surgeDaily rates hit 7.07% on Thursday, and analysts increasingly expect to see a rate hike next week. Meanwhile, existing home sales and mortgage applications fell.September 10, 2026
- Can buyers time the market? Study says buying now is the best betFor about 3 in 5 home shoppers, it is better financially to buy immediately instead of delaying, according to an AD Mortgage analysis of over 20 years of data.September 10, 2026
- Strong jobs report puts focus on inflation ahead of Fed meetingThe U.S. added 162,000 jobs in August and 55,000 more jobs than first reported in June and July — data economists say makes the Fed more likely to raise rates.September 4, 2026
- Odds of a rate hike now 50-50 following Fed governor's speechChristopher Waller said the Fed shouldn’t hike short-term interest rates unless inflation worsens. Mortgage rates, however, are still rising for now.September 3, 2026
- HUD nixes ‘substantial burdens’ on multifamily property ownersAs HUD rescinds the Obama-era policy interpretation, a state bill with common themes fails in California. Plus, House Republicans introduce a CFPB reform bill.September 2, 2026
- Mortgage rates approach 7% as Fed official floats rate hikeThe central bank “should act decisively to raise” short-term interest rates if inflation doesn’t start trending downward, Fed Governor Michael Barr said.September 1, 2026
- Economists betting on a rate hike after Fed chair speechIn hawkish remarks at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh praised the economy’s strength but warned that inflation remains “too high.”August 28, 2026
- Fair housing groups notch win in legal battle with HUDHUD’s funding cut rationale “does not add up,” the judge said when blocking the plan. Plus, Fed gov. responds to fraud claims; more layoffs at Fannie Mae.August 28, 2026
- New listings inch up, but homebuyer demand has dropped offWhile inventory has continued to creep up in the final days of the month, less homebuyer competition is expected in the coming weeks as the summer winds down.August 27, 2026
- Buyers casting a wider net in search of their next homeAffordability is the main factor driving buyers to search for homes outside the metro where they already live, according to two new reports from Realtor.com.August 26, 2026
- Only 1 in 3 sellers are negotiating agent commissionsMany agents will lower their commission when asked, but sellers are still largely in the dark about how the process works and what they’re required to pay.August 26, 2026
- Home purchase breakeven point continues to riseIt takes about 15 years to save for a down payment and benefit financially from buying vs. renting, up from 11 years in 2019, according to a recent report.August 24, 2026
