Jonathan McKernan could lead CFPB “imminently”

It may not be long before the federal government’s consumer watchdog has a newly-installed permanent director.Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who chairs the powerful Senate Banking Committee, spoke about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during an appearance at the American Bankers Associatio

Trump hikes China tariff to 125%, but pauses most others

President Donald Trump’s global tariff rollout has become a rollercoaster.A week after announcing a new tariff regime that imposed dramatic levies on America’s most reliable trade partners, Trump posted on social media Wednesday that he’s placing a 90-day pause on tariffs against 56 countries and th

Asheville submits revised action plan to HUD after initial rejection over DEI

As it continues to navigate post-disaster recovery needs, the city of Asheville, North Carolina this week has submitted an updated action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aiming to garner approval so that the city can access an estimated $225 million in assistance

Trump slaps China with an additional 50% tariff, and homebuilder stocks tank

President Donald Trump’s trade war against China is escalating.The White House confirmed Tuesday that Trump is placing a 50% tariff on China that is in addition to previously implemented or announced levies. Trump hit China with a 20% tariff at the beginning of his term, and his “Liberation Day” tar

Fairway announces ‘hybrid e-closings’ for reverse mortgages

Despite long maintaining a reputation as being behind the times of technology development — whether that is due to a perception of being slow-to-adopt emerging technologies, or due to regulatory compliance concerns — one top 10 reverse mortgage lender has now rolled out hybrid e-closing processes fo

Some Social Security recipients were falsely told their benefits had stopped, senators say

Last week, beneficiaries of the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program were erroneously told that they were no longer receiving benefits, and could no longer access account history through the program’s online portal.This is according to reporting at CBS Ne

Mortgage rate volatility rises amid trade war, keeping LOs busy 

Illustration of a mortgage loan officer struggling with rate volatility. Image created with ChatGPT 4oWhile the trade war initiated last week by the Trump administration has brought volatility to mortgage rates, some loan officers have seen an uptick in home loan applications as some borrowers are “

Bipartisan duo begin public listening process for reauthorizing HOME, CDBG programs

A bipartisan duo of members in the House of Representatives who largely operate with very different political positions have come together to begin what they’re calling an “initiative to gather public input” on the potential reauthorization of two federal housing programs.Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) a

Top Connecticut real estate team Joins Compass

Compass, Inc. has added the high-profile Nancy Dauk team to its roster in Connecticut.Previously ranked as the top-producing team in Connecticut and the second-highest nationally at Brown Harris Stevens, the team brings decades of experience and deep local roots to Compass.The move represents a sign

Survey: One in three first-time homebuyers regret purchase

A new survey by Guardian Service reveals that many first-time homebuyers regret buying a home and are grappling with unexpected costs and emotional stress, factors that often turn the dream of homeownership into a difficult reality.According to the report, 31% of first-time homebuyers experienced re

HUD’s acting inspector general touts efficiencies on Capitol Hill

On Tuesday morning at the House of Representatives, the programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) were scrutinized during a House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing focused on “restoring accountability” at the department.Stephen Begg

FHA further extends foreclosure, eviction moratorium for Helene and Milton victims

As communities impacted by the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton continue to pick up the pieces, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Tuesday announced that it has further extended a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for any FHA-financed single-family mortgages inside the des

Kirsten Jordan brings her $100M team to Corcoran

Top New York City-based broker Kirsten Jordan and her team are making the move to Corcoran. On Tuesday, Jordan announced that she and her medium-sized team were leaving Douglas Elliman. “I am strategically evolving my team to continue thriving in today’s landscape,” Jordan said of her move. “Partner

Reverse mortgage endorsements fell as HMBS issuance rose in March

Reverse mortgage industry performance metrics have continued their soft trend into the third month of the year, though activity in the secondary market was slightly higher than the month prior.Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements fell in March based on rate increases observed in the l

Tariff policy could inspire renewed talk of reverse mortgage as ‘buffer asset’

For those who are within five years of retirement — either those who are five years away, or who have recently entered — the market volatility being experienced today as a result of the White House’s embattled tariff policy are likely to endure challenges as they navigate the potential impacts of ma

From tenant to trailblazer: Oralia Herrera takes helm at NAHREP

Oralia Herrera, current president of NAHREP.Oralia Herrera’s journey from an 8-year-old immigrant and tenant in a Chicago apartment to newly appointed president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) is one she wouldn’t change a thing about. Sworn in on March 26 d

Pulte says he’s canceled $6.4M in “DEI nonsense” at Fannie and Freddie

Over the past few days on social media platform X — his public megaphone of choice — Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte this past weekend rescinded two orders rescinding previous policy with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) before offering public-facing comment

Reports: Fannie Mae lays off 700 employees

Government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Fannie Mae has reportedly laid off as many as 700 employees, with 200 of the layoffs focused on members of the Telugu-speaking community over “irregularities” uncovered related to charitable donations.According to reports from outlets including TechStory, HRKath

How quickly does financial turmoil impact the housing market?

While the housing market seems like the least of our financial worries right now as stock markets are melting down around the globe, we track housing here at HousingWire, so it opens the question: how quickly could we see impact in the housing market and in which data would we see it first?We have t

Florida home prices drop on rising inventory, but sales haven’t followed suit

Florida housing markets are living out the old adage that “what goes up must come down.”The Sunshine State was one of the hottest pandemic destinations, as wealthy New Yorkers looked to Florida for more space and warmer weather. The result was scorching housing markets and skyrocketing prices.But th