Consumer

Despite recent gains in affordability, a new Zillow analysis found that a record number of U.S. cities now have typical starter homes priced at or above $1M.

While new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh might not be able to push for rate cuts right now, he may shift how the Fed handles forecasts and communications.

CFPB’s ex-deputy director could soon be its leader. Plus, advocates lobby for housing affordability, long-term NFIP funding; no “rush” for Fannie, Freddie IPO.

Windermere Real Estate’s addendum aims to counter efforts to obscure listing details and help buyers “gauge whether relevant information is being withheld.”

After testing out a limited pilot program in eight major markets, HouseCanary’s partnership with the search giant is expanding across all 50 states.

Pending sales remain sluggish as mortgage rates tick back up, but for buyers who are ready to commit, “the door is open” to negotiate favorable terms.

A majority of prospective buyers also said that they would trust AI-provided mortgage assistance, according to a new survey from Veterans United Home Loans.

While energy prices pushed overall inflation up to 4.2% in May, core inflation was lower than expected, possibly staving off a near-term rate hike by the Fed.

Buyers have the biggest advantage in Sun Belt cities that saw a surge in home construction during the first half of the decade.

The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, which could boost consumer confidence. But it ups the odds of a June rate hike and will likely keep mortgage rates elevated.

At a time when home sales should hit their peak, both buyers and sellers are backing off, “possibly foreshadowing slower sales in the second half of the year.”

Falling prices, an uptick in pending sales and fewer price cuts could mean sunny months are ahead for the market — if inflation, mortgage rates stabilize.

Bill Pulte will still lead the housing agency while serving as acting director of national intelligence. Plus, Fed faces “credibility” threat; CFPB sued; more.

The quirky trend can be explained in part by the flexibility of home builders as they navigate higher material costs and persistent economic uncertainty.

With mortgage rates still elevated, pending and new home sales — along with mortgage applications — have all trended down as affordability weakens.

Real estate investors are pulling back as rising homeownership costs, economic uncertainty and slowing price growth in some areas threaten to reduce profits.

Shifts in household incomes, home prices and mortgage rates will be key to housing affordability improvements in the next decade, according to Oxford Economics.

The ROAD to Housing Act heads back to the Senate. Plus, Trump urges new Fed chair to “be totally independent”; HUD releases home construction best practices.

Pending sales and purchase applications fell this week as average mortgage rates topped 6.5%, narrowing “the pool of buyers who can make the numbers work.”

A new Listing-Income Alignment Score finds “a shortage of options” for buyers looking to purchase a home they can afford, according to NAR and Realtor.com.