News

What the first-time homebuyers press and forums are saying · updated
From the press
Realtor.com News ·

America’s Favorite Countertop Could Be on Its Way Out. What Could Replace Quartz?

A deadly worker health crisis threatens quartz’s future—and could force homeowners to rethink America’s favorite countertop.
HousingWire ·

HUD outlines 7 steps to update manufactured housing code

The 7-step plan follows July’s ROAD to Housing Act change, rulemaking and HUD code updates could take 1-plus years
National Mortgage News ·

Newrez JV with eXp brings 340K agent deals into play

Newrez's Revenos Mortgage JV with eXp Realty, its 14th, taps a network that closed 340,000+ sides last year, as the lender touts disclosures amid rising RESPA steering suits.
Redfin News ·

U.S. Housing Costs Could Return to “Normal” Within 5 Years. Here’s What It Would Take.

Housing costs could hypothetically return to “normal” within the next five years if mortgage rates drop to 6% and home-price growth holds steady around 2.1%. Alternatively, housing costs could return…
Zillow Research ·

Mortgage Rates Slow Their Climb, but Buyers Still Face an Uphill Battle

High rates have brought an early winter to the housing market. Given the challenging affordability environment, home sales are likely to dip in 2027.
HUD.gov (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) ·

Rocky Mountain Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase

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The Mortgage Reports ·

HELOC vs. Cash-Out Refinance in a High-Rate Market: Which Is Better?

Compare a HELOC and a cash-out refinance when rates are high. See how to tap equity without giving up a low first-mortgage rate, plus a decision framework.
Inman ·

Fathom and Bed Bath & Beyond parent scrap merger deal

The companies said in a news release Monday that their respective boards had mutually agreed to terminate the transaction.
CFPB Newsroom ·

CFPB Proud to Support the National Strategy for Financial Literacy

The CFPB is proud to support the new National Strategy for Financial Literacy to guide nationwide actions on building youth financial competency, developing good saving and investing habits,…
Realtor.com News ·

Inside Peyton Manning’s Multimillion-Dollar Real Estate Portfolio: From a $4.6 Million Colorado Mansion to a $5.3 Million Second Home

The former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos star, who retired from professional football in 2016, has invested millions in properties.
HousingWire ·

A real estate succession plan built over two decades

For business owners planning their own succession, overlap of institutional knowledge is invaluable
National Mortgage News ·

Lenders tighten credit as rate hikes shrink refi market

Among the products disappearing from menus in September included those for cash-out refis and investor home purchases, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.
Redfin News ·

Mortgage Rates Tick Up Even as the Odds of a Fed Rate Hike Decline

In A Nutshell: There’s still upward pressure on rates, as bond market investors have all of the same worries that have caused mortgage rates to increase by 1.5 percentage points already this year.…
Zillow Research ·

A $100K Income Unlocks 2.5 Times More of the Rental Market Than the Typical Renter

In affordable markets, that means a single-family home. In the most expensive, a one-bedroom apartment.
HUD.gov (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) ·

Great Plains Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase

Great Plains Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase C53399 Tue, 10/06/2026 - 16:21 .pr a { font-weight: bold; } .img-responsive { display: block; text-align: center; /*…
Inman ·

Condo prices stall across the US — not just in Florida — analysis shows

Condos are sitting for longer than houses before selling, which wasn't the case before the pandemic. Inman takes a closer look at the data.
Realtor.com News ·

Inside Julianne Moore’s New York City Rooftop Apartment With Spectacular Views, Peculiar Art, and Ikea Furniture

The actress gave a tour of her stunning apartment, which features pieces she's been carefully curating since 1995 and beyond.
HousingWire ·

Century Communities HistoryMaker deal marks scale pressure shift

The deal could lift Century from 200 to 300 closings to 800, with a path toward 1,000 in DFW
National Mortgage News ·

LoanDepot pact points to option for funding in tough market

The uncommitted financing based on REO assets has some risks to manage, but can serve as a less expensive borrowing source as mortgage business strains grow.
Redfin News ·

Soft September Jobs Report May Give Fed Reason to Pause Rate Hikes, Slowing Ascent of Mortgage Rates

Takeaway: A soft jobs report may finally offer some relief for mortgage rates, or at least help to stem the march upward. Jobs data is no longer the key to whether the Fed continues to hike, but this…
Zillow Research ·

Winter Has Arrived Early in the Housing Market as Newly Pending Sales Fall 8.5% (Zillow September Market Report)

While the for-sale market is slowing, the rental market continues to show strength, with the biggest annual rent gain since April 2025
HUD.gov (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) ·

Southwest Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase

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Inman ·

Hex appeal: What whimsigoth means for fall listings

Whimsigoth is the rare viral trend that starts with a house. Here is how agents can use it this October, plus what changed at Google, Instagram and Facebook.
Realtor.com News ·

Trump Administration Unveils New Steps To Bolster Manufactured Housing

HUD wants to update energy efficiency standards, update design and construction codes, and help scale the industry.
HousingWire ·

Proprietary reverse mortgages are helping clients in ways that HECM can’t

Mutual of Omaha wholesale leaders explained how SecureEquity is helping senior homeowners with obstacles to HECM qualification
National Mortgage News ·

Mortgage rates keep spiking, but could ease by year-end

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage increased 12 basis points this week, following a 25 basis point gain seven days prior, as Treasury yields stay elevated.
Redfin News ·

These Are San Diego’s 5 Hottest Neighborhoods of 2026

Otay Ranch is San Diego’s hottest neighborhood of 2026, followed by San Pasqual Valley and Hillcrest. The list spans from neighborhoods near downtown San Diego to further inland. San Diego’s hottest…
Zillow Research ·

September 2026 Jobs Report: Labor demand continued to slow

Key findings U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September, while gains in August and July were revised down by a combined 60,000. The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% from 4.1% as labor force…
HUD.gov (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) ·

Midwest Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase

Midwest Housing Innovations Spotlighted at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase .pr a { font-weight: bold; } .img-responsive { display: block; text-align: center; /* Centers images inside */ }…
Inman ·

This agent hasn’t self-promoted since 2011. Here’s her secret

On this episode, Erin Bradley breaks down how real estate referrals follow impact, not effort, and shares the mindset shift that ends call reluctance for good.
Realtor.com News ·

Michael Douglas Reveals Kobe Bryant Frequently Visited Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones’ L.A. Home Before They Married

The 82-year-old actor made the surprising revelation in his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride," recalling how Bryant lived near Zeta-Jones.
HousingWire ·

Leo Pareja says rising rates have already prompted a housing collapse

AGNT CEO said existing home sales could dip below 4 million in 2027 if mortgage rates top 8%
National Mortgage News ·

New partnership points to how AI can be used in hedging

Brandon Story, a former Mr. Cooper exec, has teamed up with Polly to apply artificial intelligence to operations in this area.
Inman ·

Basis explained: The tax term every listing agent should understand

Basis is the unglamorous arithmetic that decides how much of your equity you keep when the tax man comes calling, America Foy writes.
Realtor.com News ·

Future-Proof Your Home Purchase: How To Uncover Secret Construction Before Buying

Can homebuyers figure out what changes and developments might come to their prospective street before they happen?
HousingWire ·

Leo Pareja named CEO of AGNT, Glenn Sanford steps down

After 17 years of building the business, Sanford said AGNT can now run without his direct involvement
National Mortgage News ·

Fed supervision reform funnels more authority to Washington

Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman's new supervision reform plan calls for centralizing authority — and accountability — at the board level.
Inman ·

Separation season: The Q4 game plan to set up your best year ever

Finish this year strong while building momentum for 2027 with this detailed plan for lead generation and lead nurturing from Jimmy Burgess.
Realtor.com News ·

VIDEO: Inside the 3D-Printed Factory Home Built in Just 24 Hours

Azure Printed Homes, based in Gardena, CA, 3-D prints homes from recycled plastic. Time named it one of the best inventions of 2025.
HousingWire ·

Mortgage credit availability declines slightly in September

Lenders reduced offerings that allow for cash-out refinances and investor home purchases
National Mortgage News ·

Fed's Waller says more interest rate hikes likely on the way

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said he expects the Federal Open Market Committee to raise short-term interest rates if inflation does not show signs of easing.
Inman ·

I signed 30 listings this year. Here’s the email I send before I ever walk through the door

By reaching out to the homeseller before your listing appointment, Krystopher Benyamein writes, you give them a chance to get to know you and the service you provide.
Realtor.com News ·

Zak Bagans Buys Famed Underground Las Vegas Cold War Bunker for $4.55M—With Plans for a New Museum

Ghost Adventures host Zak Bagans buys Las Vegas’ iconic Cold War-era Underground House for $4.55M, planning a new subterranean museum.
HousingWire ·

Better authorizes $30 million stock buyback

Plan comes as lender ramps up cost-cutting efforts and pursues a sale of its U.K. bank subsidiary
National Mortgage News ·

Wells Fargo HUD probe signals risk for race-based lending

The Trump administration says the bank's past efforts to prioritize mortgage aid for minority borrowers may have violated the Civil Rights Act.
Inman ·

Compass’ demand, CRMLS’ rejection — the clash: Top 5

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers.
From First Buyer Loans
Spring 2026 Housing Market for Buyers
Spring 2026 Housing Market for Buyers
Monica Alvarez·
On the forums
Seller hostile at inspection of the house
r/RealEstate · 53 · 108 Homebuyer
Citi Let an Impostor Withdraw $10,000 From My Account. Two Months Later, I'm Still Waiting
r/personalfinance · 435 · 65 Credit
We did it! TX 270k 6.25
r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer · 515 · 29 GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡
Pricing our house “low”. Good strategy to sell quickly?
r/RealEstate · 71 · 101 Homeseller
Help me find reality - 529 contributions for a toddler
r/personalfinance · 135 · 219 Saving
I did it! CASABLANCA MOROCCO 30K USD 4.5%
r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer · 1227 · 101 GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡
How big of a deal is an excellent transferable VA interest rate when selling a house in an expensive market? (Northern VA)
r/RealEstate · 13 · 41 Homeseller
What should I do with NFLX stock I’ll be inheriting?
r/personalfinance · 307 · 244 Investing
Mama we made it! Mesa, AZ, $454K, 4.25%
r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer · 972 · 75 GOT THE KEYS! - New Build 🔑 🏡
In the age of digital platforms and apps ,is the traditional real estate agent still necessary, or should the industry just let technology automate the process?
r/RealEstate · 9 · 52
Too much income for significant financial aid, not enough income to actually afford college
r/personalfinance · 504 · 318 Credit
We did it! [Countryside Transylvania, Romania] [385k RON ~ 73K EUR]
r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer · 25139 · 1278 GOT THE KEYS! 🔑 🏡
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