A timeline of what’s happening at the CFPB under Trump

President Trump’s shake-up of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau continues. On Friday night, Russell Vought, the architect of the Project 2025 plan and the newly confirmed director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, emailed top staffers at the CFPB to inform them that he’d bee

Project 2025 architect Russell Vought takes over CFPB

Russell Vought, an architect of Project 2025 and the current head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is the new acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Wall Street Journal reported late Friday night.Vought emailed top staffers at the agency to inform them that

Sherry Chris urges brokers to stick with NAR in 2025

In this week’s episode of the Power House podcast, host Diego Sanchez sits down with a close observer from within the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Sherry Chris, special advisor to NAR CEO Nykia Wright, joins the show to discuss the trade association’s response to post-settlement changes a

Proprietary reverse mortgage business in Oregon could be in danger

A bill introduced into the Oregon Senate that seeks to limit the amount of equity a reverse mortgage lender can receive after the sale or transfer of a property could potentially halt the availability of proprietary product offerings in the state.This is according to a version of the bill reviewed b

Crye-Leike wants to be covered by NAR’s settlement, but rankings data says otherwise

In 2022, Crye-Leike Real Estate Services closed roughly $7 billion in sales volume, according to data from the 2023 RealTrends Verified rankings. The T3 Sixty Real Estate Almanac reports the same numbers, while the brokerage company’s 2022 Annual Report pegged its sales volume at $8.5 billion. But n

Washington, D.C. moves to bolster reverse mortgage foreclosure protections

The governing council of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. is taking steps to establish a permanent program seeking to protect its older residents with reverse mortgages from foreclosure.In mid-January, the D.C. council enacted the “Fairness and Stability in Housing Amendment Act of 2024,” whic

Mortgage servicing executives grapple with tech stack questions

Mortgage servicing is more complex than ever, and while some large servicers are sinking real resources into innovation, many are hesitant to branch out beyond the decades-old systems they’re comfortable with. This could be risky if delinquencies continue to rise in the coming years.“I think service

Fannie Mae says housing market optimism inched up in January

Homebuyer confidence for purchasing a home increased slightly in January, according to Fannie Mae‘s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI increased 0.3 points to 73.4 in January and is now 2.7 points higher than it was a year ago.The share of respondents who believe it’s a good time to sell

Mortgage rates remain high due to labor market resilience

The labor market is showing signs of softness but is not breaking down yet, which has kept mortgage rates higher for longer. Since 2022, my guiding principle has been that the labor market is more important than inflation in determining mortgage rates. For those seeking lower mortgage rates, it’s mo

Insurance exodus left many properties unprotected from the LA fires

Last month’s wildfires in Southern California had a devastating impact as 29 people were killed and about 16,000 homes were destroyed. Leading up to the disasters, the state’s largest private home insurer dropped policies in high-risk areas, leaving them financially unprotected after they burned to

3 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership While Renting

You may not be ready to buy your first home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare now. Here are three actions you can do while renting that will put you in a better position when you’re ready to buy.Test the Budget You know all homeownership costs, but you can estimate how owning a home will affe

Jan 2025 Newsletter

Catching the things to do in Pflugerville, homes for sale and Pflugerville market trends. Jan 2025 Newsletter

How Fair Housing Applies to You

Buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals all have rights and responsibilities when it comes to discrimination-free property transactions. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related transactions based on race, color, sex (including sexual orientation an

This Real Estate Scam Could Cost You Thousands of Dollars

You’re smart. You’re careful. But even savvy buyers and homeowners fall victim to real estate fraud. Criminals are impersonating sellers and title companies, resulting in swindles that can take months of legal hassle to repair and cost you thousands of dollars.Do You Know the Targets?It starts with

What To Know When Hiring a REALTOR®

No one is better at guiding you through a real estate transaction than a REALTOR®. Your REALTOR® is a trusted professional who can help you understand local conditions, find and market properties, negotiate, and keep your transaction on track through closing. Here are a few things to know when hirin

Get the Data You Need To Reach Your Real Estate Goals

Data is king when making big financial decisions. That’s why it’s essential to know recent prices, current market trends, and related data when you’re buying, selling, or renting property.Who has access to that type of information? Your REALTOR®. Just as important, your REALTOR® can help you underst

Should You Fix That Before You Sell?

Making repairs before you list your home can positively affect the selling price and how quickly you attract a buyer. But do you need to fix everything before you put it on the market? Not all projects will be worth the time and money. Here are a few questions to consider to make your property more

5 Ways a REALTOR® Can Help With Your Rental Property

Many REALTORS® help people buy and sell houses, but some also specialize in property management. Whether you already own investment property or are thinking of buying a rental, a REALTOR® experienced in property management can handle all aspects of managing your asset—and reduce your stress. A REALT

5 Scams Targeting New Homeowners

Buying a home is exciting. However, scammers may try to use your excitement and inexperience against you. Watch out for these attempts to defraud you.Partner CompaniesBe wary if you receive a letter from a company claiming to be a partner or associated with your mortgage lender wanting additional in

Understand the Difference Between Prequalification and Preapproval

Have you been prequalified for a mortgage loan? Or preapproved? Are they the same?While both are steps in reaching homeownership, they have different meanings.What’s Prequalified?Prequalification is an informal process. You describe your financial situation—debt, income, and assets—and the lender es