The most-read mortgage news stories you may have missed

December 29, 2025 2:01 PM

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As the mortgage industry bounced back to relative normalcy, the industry's biggest brands and most notable names piqued the interest of National Mortgage News readers. Falling rates and improved affordability shaped the market this year, but the Trump administration captured readers' attention.

Here are the most-read stories from National Mortgage News over the past year.

Washington, DC - July 26, 2021: Exterior of the Department of Housing and Urban Development building located in downtown Washington, DC

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What FHA's dropping of appraisal rule means for lenders

The Trump Administration withdrew the reconsideration of value process implemented at the Federal Housing Administration by the Biden Administration in response to appraisal bias findings, a move that hurt all borrowers, said Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending.

Read the full story here.

Construction At The D.R. Horton Inc. Eastridge Woods Development Ahead Of Earnings Figures

Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

Borrowers raise RICO counts against DR Horton, DHI Mortgage

Seven borrowers filed a class action lawsuit this month against D.R. Horton and its DHI Mortgage financing arm over racketeering. Plaintiffs recounted earlier allegations in suggesting the companies knew they were misleading borrowers with lower upfront monthly mortgage payments.

Read the full story here.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Al Drago/Bloomberg

Fannie, Freddie regulator: Powell should cut rates or quit

Pulte called for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to resign in June if he did not cut short-term rates, as he saw inflation fall far enough to warrant the move. President Donald Trump also pressured Powell to lower rates.

Read the full story here.

Fannie Mae cuts mortgage forecast as uncertainty persists

Fannie Mae updated its originations forecast downward and increased its year-end interest-rate projection in February. It anticipated mortgage rates ending at 6.6% and 6.5% to close 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Read the full story here.

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Mr. Cooper axes transition of 400 Flagstar employees

About 400 Flagstar employees did not transition to Mr. Cooper following the company's $1.4 billion acquisition of the Michigan-based bank's servicing and TPO operations earlier this year. But close to 350 Flagstar servicing employees were expected to be fully integrated into Mr. Cooper's team.

Read the full story here.

metal key house on wooden table

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10 best US real estate markets for first-time homebuyers in 2025

Florida was home to six of the 10 best real estate markets for first-time homebuyers this year, including Tampa and Orlando. The other four markets resided in Idaho, Arizona and Alabama.

Read the full story here.

Golden frame home name plate with copy space banner.

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DOGE details its cuts at HUD, VA, CFPB

The Department of Government Efficiency slashed more than 100 contracts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in March. Millions of dollars in mortgage-related contracts were also slashed at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Read the full story here.

Senate BankinPulte Sees No Scenario Where Trump Isnt in Control of Fannie Mae, Freddie Macg Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing For Stephen Miran, Jeffrey Kessler, William Pulte, And Jonathan McKernan

Al Drago/Bloomberg

Fannie Mae laying off 62 in DEI, COO, and other units: Pulte

Fannie Mae laid off 62 employees it decided worked in noncore functions in October, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte said in a social media post. The cuts were made in areas that included the chief operating officer's office, information technology and DEI.

Read the full story here.

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FHA says a Trump funding freeze wouldn't jeopardize deals

The Office of Management and Budget imposed a temporary pause on government funding at the beginning of the year, but the Federal Housing Administration assured buyers and lenders it would not affect pending deals.

Read the full story here.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

FHFA replaces Freddie Mac board member, assigns audit role

The Federal Housing Finance Agency in March restructured leadership at the board level and in the executive ranks, with Michael Parrott replacing Capital One Multifamily Finance executive Grace Huebscher.

Read the full story here.