Housing markets

Real estate investor sentiment bounced back from two quarters of decline, but lingering fears around tariffs, interest rates still weigh on many buyers' minds

Between rising home costs and the end of mortgage relief programs, many homeowners are struggling to stay above water, especially in the South and West.

While private mortgage insurance still has a larger share of business than the Federal Housing Administration, the gap will continue to narrow through 2027.

Gen Z and Millennial homeowners also face unexpected expenses after closing, underscoring need for more education on the part of mortgage professionals.

Approximately 60% of economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer believe the Federal Open Market Committee will act at its next meeting with a 25 basis point cut.

New insurance written at the six private mortgage insurers increased by only 2% year-over-year, a sign of the sluggish home sales market at the low end.

A headline-grabbing 2022 lawsuit alleging racial bias by home appraisers has been quietly dismissed for lack of evidence. At the same time, the Trump administration is rolling back many of the policy changes involving home appraisals that the Biden administration put in place.

The tax delinquency rate hit a seven-year high last year with residents of some states seeing amounts owed increasing by more than 50% since 2019.

While the company exceeded analyst expectations on several fronts, its Q3 outlook includes softer revenue and a slide back into negative EBITDA.

Groups like the Mortgage Bankers Association and National Housing Conference welcomed the decision to increase the secondary market for the credits.