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October 2025

CoStar economist details housing risks of extended government shutdown

Canada, CoStar Group, Donald Trump, Government Shutdown, Home Sales, Homebuilders, HWmember, Mortgage, Real Estate, Title, Trump administration /

As the U.S. government hits its seventh shutdown day under President Donald Trump, economists and real estate analysts are watching anxiously for cracks in the housing market. One week in, there is limited evidence of direct shutdown effects, but many warning signs and structural risks loom. Carl Gomez, chief economist and head of market analytics […]

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Zillow’s ChatGPT integration could redefine — or violate — MLS policies

Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Technology, Zillow /

Zillow made waves on Monday when it announced an app integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Through the integration, consumers can type a description of what they’re looking for in a property into ChatGPT, and it will provide them with listings complete with photos, maps and pricing, all powered by Zillow.  This integration differs from other recent

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David vs. Goliath: why the Compass–Anywhere deal is a win for the little guys

Anywhere, Brokerage, Compass, Contributors, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, Opinion, Real Estate /

As the real estate world absorbs the news of Compass’s acquisition of Anywhere — the conglomerate behind some of the industry’s biggest names like Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s, Century 21 and Corcoran — it’s worth pausing to consider what this means for the rest of us brokerage owners. I’m speaking from the perspective of the boutique,

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High rents and growing inventory create room to convert renters

Artificial Intelligence, First-Time Homebuyers, Housing Market, Housing Market Data, HWmember, Lenders, Real Estate, real estate agent, Rent Prices /

Rent prices remain high as for-sale supply expands. HW Data shows median rent holding at $2,295, while the for-sale side offers more room to maneuver. The median list price is $444,900 and active inventory stands at 863,972 homes nationwide, giving buyers more choice than earlier in the year. For-sale market edges toward balance HousingWire’s national

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The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the impact on housing

Contributors, Government Shutdown, Housing Market, HWmember, National Association of Realtors, Opinion, Real Estate /

As the federal government shutdown continues, the consequences for the housing market and the broader economy grow more serious by the day. Real estate accounts for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy, touching every community and driving millions of jobs. Each additional day of uncertainty threatens programs that help buyers, sellers, and property owners navigate an

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Is it possible for the GSEs to exit conservatorship without market disruption?

2025 Mortgage Banking Summit, Community Home Lenders of America, Conservatorship, GSEs, Housing Market, HWmember, Mortgage, Mortgage Bankers Association /

As Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac inch toward a possible release from federal conservatorship, industry leaders on Tuesday discussed potential paths for the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), emphasizing the need for market stability and competition. The GSEs’ possible release and the timing of a change is the topic of much speculation. Recent commentary from U.S. Department

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Equifax slashes VantageScore price to undercut FICO

Credit scores, Industry News, Originations /

Equifax is rolling out a new pricing strategy and incentives in response to FICO’s program announced last week as the dispute between score providers heats up.    The credit reporting agency will offer the competing Vantagescore 4.0 metric from FICO’s rival at a price of $4.50 through 2027, a cost it claims is more than 50%

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Silver lining? Some fraud victims see credit scores rise: Fed

Credit reporting, Credit risk underwriting, Federal Reserve, Fraud, Identity theft, Technology /

Key insight: Identity theft victims who file extended fraud alerts often experience significant and persistent improvements in their credit profiles, becoming more creditworthy. What’s at stake: U.S. banks and credit unions that understand the behavior of identity theft victims can land better credit lines. Supporting data: Extended alert filers saw their credit scores increase by

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