Consumer

Hope is dimming for renewed housing market activity amid a slowdown in mortgage applications, a drop in pending sales and persistent economic uncertainty.

The overall impact on real estate is expected to be minimal at first. But economists say a lengthy shutdown would hinder the already sluggish market.

The legal action brought by attorneys general in Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia and Washington state comes a day after the FTC filed its own lawsuit.

In an unsigned order, the Supreme Court delayed until January its decision on the president’s attempt to immediately remove Cook.

The federal agency alleges the real estate giants broke antitrust laws when Zillow paid $100 million to become Redfin’s exclusive multifamily listings provider.

Nationwide trends point to Oct. 12-18 as the best week to buy a home in 2025, a Realtor.com analysis found, but mortgage rates are still a wildcard.

The industry might not feel a direct impact, but a shutdown could intensify economic concerns that have slowed market activity for months. Plus: Fed, FHFA news.

Meanwhile, mortgage rates ticked back up after several weeks of declines — but 30-year rates are still holding close to 11-month lows.

If Compass’ acquisition of Anywhere goes through, it could trigger a private inventory race with major implications for the brokerage ecosystem — and consumers.

Mortgage rates are also expected to fall to 5.9% by the end of next year, according to Fannie Mae’s September Economic and Housing Outlook.

Rent prices have softened in a handful of major U.S. markets, but overall asking rents remain much higher now than before the pandemic.

Weak jobs data is expected to outweigh inflation numbers as the Fed considers a rate cut next week — which could be followed by more before the end of the year.

Plus, the BLS makes a significant downward revision to jobs numbers, and the president’s nominee to replace an ex-Fed official advances to a Senate vote.

The top cities for investors are largely located in Florida and Texas, where home prices are typically lower, demand is strong and regulations favor landlords.

Trading on-campus food and housing costs for those linked to homeownership can save up to $30,000 in three years in some college towns, a new report suggests.

Gov. Greg Abbott said “foreign adversaries like China, Russian, Iran and North Korea” and terrorist organizations “must not be allowed to own land in Texas.”

Plus, Trump signs trigger leads bill; DOJ investigates mortgage fraud claims linked to a Fed governor; advocacy groups call for a vote on key housing bill.

The U.S. economy added 22,000 new jobs in August — less than a third of what was expected — causing mortgage rates to plummet as real estate stocks climbed.

A year ago, surprising jobs data sent rates soaring. This year’s Sept. 4 report could also be pivotal, potentially resulting in volatility heading into fall.

Meanwhile, renter households have jumped, Redfin reported, citing affordability and other issues. But lower home prices could “be the headline” in a few months.