Maintenance and renovations aren't keeping up with the nation's aging housing stock, creating an influx of obsolete properties that's adding further strain to an already tight inventory of homes for sale.
Fannie Mae is allowing in some situations where mortgage payments are made by someone other than the borrower for the full monthly housing expense to be excluded from debt-to-income calculations.
Four neighborhoods hit hardest by Hurricane Harvey have limited resources and are in most need of federal, state and local assistance for property repair and rehabilitation costs.
The latest readings on mortgage credit availability show slight improvement month-to-month, reversing course after two consecutive declines in April and May.
The Federal Housing Administration's gateway to homeownership could be widened if the Trump administration takes actions to reduce mortgage insurance premiums and clarify lender penalties under the False Claims Act.
