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Amazon's new HQ2 facilities in New York City and Washington, D.C., will create a flurry of housing and mortgage activity. But the direct benefits to mortgage lenders won't be as significant as they could've been in many of the other cities on Amazon's list of 20 finalists.

Lenders are constantly looking for ways they can streamline their operations and produce savings for themselves and their borrowers in order to compete in a leaner market this year.

The housing market slows down for winter, but it doesn't stop. Here's a look at 12 cities where price cuts, rent appreciation and affordability conditions will give house hunters more negotiating power going into the new year.

Several Senate, House and gubernatorial battles are of interest to financial firms. Here is a spotlight on specific contests, with updates as they become available.

The battle gaining the most attention Tuesday night will be which party controls the House next year. But other key races will help determine the makeup of the Senate Banking Committee.

With the home selling season winding down and autumn in full swing, here's a look at the cities where both home purchase prices and monthly rents are starting to ease.