New Western released a new report examining the role of real estate investors in supplying entry-level housing. It found that small investors added far more homes in the starter-home price range than homebuilders in 2025. The company’s 2026 Flip Side Report on residential real estate investing trends said independent investors delivered 120,193 homes in the […]
Local investors outpace builders in delivering starter homes Read More »
In the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Thursday, is a provision titled, “Homes Are for People, Not Corporations.” This provision seeks to impose new restrictions on institutional investors in the single-family housing market. Under the provision, entities owning 350 or more single-family homes would face limits on purchasing
Realtor.com data challenges effectiveness of Senate ban on big home investors Read More »
iBuyer Opendoor’s recently launched mortgage product — which promises below-market interest rates after the company removed its markup — has sparked debate across the industry about who absorbs the cost and whether the model is sustainable. Some industry professionals view the offering as similar to the strategy many homebuilders use — providing below-market mortgage rates
Is Opendoor playing the builder rate buydown game? Read More »
Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one. A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic
Should You Wait for Lower Rates? Read More »
Housing advocates warn that recent changes to a federal rural lending program could sharply limit homeownership opportunities for low-income families in California communities. The California Coalition for Rural Housing said revisions made Feb. 10 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Section 502 Direct Loan program reduce the maximum loan amount allowed under the program
USDA rural housing loan changes could limit California buyers Read More »
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index, released on Thursday, indicates that housing affordability slightly improved in 2025 as new home prices decreased nationwide and mortgage rates steadily declined during the second half of the year. The quarterly index shows that the average family needed to spend 34% of their
NAHB data maps modest housing affordability gains in 2025 Read More »
Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, last week unveiled legislation aimed at curbing corporate ownership of single-family homes and redirecting federal tax benefits toward affordable housing development. The bill, known as the American Homeownership Act, would eliminate major tax breaks and other federal housing benefits for private equity
Democrats propose bill targeting corporate housing tax breaks Read More »
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) has added Capital One to its Executive Council for Housing Affordability, a group of private-sector leaders focused on expanding access to affordable housing. Gina Metrakas, vice president and head of federal advocacy at Capital One, will represent the company on the council. Metrakas previously held senior leadership roles at the
Capital One joins BPC housing affordability council Read More »
Improving a credit score could save homebuyers tens of thousands of dollars in mortgage interest, according to a new nationwide study from AD Mortgage, released on Thursday. The analysis, Credit Score vs. Mortgage Cost: How Long It Takes to Improve and How Much It Can Save, State by State, shows that even modest gains in
Minor FICO score improvements can ease homebuying costs Read More »
The 2026 Spring Market is about to be upon us, and one aspect is clear: affordability is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The price escalations experienced during the pandemic, driven by historically low interest rates, are now largely in the rearview mirror. In most markets, the prospect of near-term appreciation for would-be buyers is
Affordability takes center stage in the 2026 housing market Read More »