May 2026

Ginnie Mae’s Joseph Gormley sounds the alarm on ‘risk-layered’ FHA portfolios

Ginnie Mae President Joseph Gormley, who is also serving as acting commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), said the counterparties participating in Ginnie Mae’s program have evolved significantly since the Great Financial Crisis, with greater exposure to independent mortgage banks (IMBs) that have invested heavily in governance and risk management. Still, he cautioned that

Ginnie Mae’s Joseph Gormley sounds the alarm on ‘risk-layered’ FHA portfolios Read More »

FHA turns attention to the ‘flipping rule’ and AVMs

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would like to review its anti-flipping rule and reforms to automated valuation models (AVMs), according to Matt Jones, deputy assistant secretary for the FHA’s Office of Single-Family Housing. “We think our AVM, our valuation technology, has improved significantly since that rule was put in place a couple decades ago,” Jones

FHA turns attention to the ‘flipping rule’ and AVMs Read More »

Google brings real estate listings back to mobile search

After disappearing for a time after the launch of the initial test last December, real estate listings are back in mobile Google search results in some markets.  Just like the initial test, listings appear under sponsored search results, and they include a full property detail page, links to request a tour, contact an agent and,

Google brings real estate listings back to mobile search Read More »

Social Security COLA forecast for 2027 jumps to 3.9% in response to rising inflation

The forecast for the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits has risen sharply to 3.9%, driven by persistent inflation in housing, utilities and energy, according to new data released by The Senior Citizens League. The projection — up from a steady 2.8% estimate just one month ago — would raise the average monthly

Social Security COLA forecast for 2027 jumps to 3.9% in response to rising inflation Read More »

Zillow seeks injunction as MRED threatens data feed cutoff

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is threatening to suspend its listing data feeds to Zillow Group websites, including Zillow.com and Trulia.com, unless Zillow cures what the MLS says is a material breach of its license agreements by late Tuesday. In an announcement on Monday, the Illinois-based MLS said it will cut off Zillow’s IDX and

Zillow seeks injunction as MRED threatens data feed cutoff Read More »

The battle for listings: How brokerages are reclaiming their data

Prior to widespread internet usage, when consumers could only find out about homes for sale through yard signs or accessing an MLS listing book by working with a broker, agents viewed listings as a marketing asset. However, this view evolved as the internet made it easier for consumers to access information about homes for sale.

The battle for listings: How brokerages are reclaiming their data Read More »

ONE Sotheby’s International Realty expands into New Jersey

Mayi de la Vega and Daniel de la Vega, the leaders behind luxury brokerage ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, have announced the company’s expansion into New Jersey through the acquisition of the 80-year-old Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty. The move connects two longtime family-led affiliates within the Sotheby’s International Realty network and creates a new luxury

ONE Sotheby’s International Realty expands into New Jersey Read More »

Builder confidence remains subdued; suppliers eye price hikes

Homebuilders maintained a subdued outlook in May, pressured by higher mortgage rates, rising inflation and affordability constraints. Ongoing conflict in Iran raises the risk of increased building material prices, further complicating an already uncertain environment. However, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), homebuilders appear to be more

Builder confidence remains subdued; suppliers eye price hikes Read More »

Redfin Early Access adds pre-market and coming soon listings

Redfin has launched Redfin Early Access, a new search category on Redfin.com and its app that surfaces pre-market and “coming soon” listings that are not yet broadly available on other major real estate sites, the company said in an announcement Monday. The new category aggregates two kinds of inventory: Redfin Coming Soon listings that appear

Redfin Early Access adds pre-market and coming soon listings Read More »