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For the past several years, the U.S. housing market has faced an unusual constraint: not a lack of buyers, but a lack of sellers willing — or able — to move.\nMillions of homeowners remain “rate-locked,” holding mortgages originated in 2020–2022 at interest rates between 2{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} and 4{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} (Federal Housing Finance Agency; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey). While home values have risen, the financial penalty of selling and repurchasing at today’s 6{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a}–7{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} rates has discouraged mobility, suppressing inventory and transaction volume nationwide (National Association of Realtors; HousingWire).
The cost of home insurance in the United States rose by ~89{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} between 2014 and 2025, as rapidly climbing home prices, more frequent extreme weather events and inflation impacted insurers and homeowners. ICE analysts share key insights from their recent 10-year study into the forces propelling rising insurance costs across the nation. 
DOJ serves grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve, escalating Trump’s campaign to pressure Powell on interest rates.
U.S. housing inventory growth slowed to 9.99{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} year-over-year last week as mortgage rates near 6{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} and price cuts reach 34.7{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a}.
December jobs growth slowed to 50,000, keeping mortgage rates near 6{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} with steady and Trump’s MBS move supporting better spreads.
Compass closed its acquisition of Anywhere Friday, with the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reporting that DOJ leaders blocked a deeper antitrust review.
The proposal has sparked debate over the role of Wall Street-backed landlords — and whether restricting them would meaningfully lower prices.
Musk’s perspective stands in contrast to ongoing economic realities for many Americans, especially older adults preparing for retirement.
A modest mortgage rate drop may boost refinancing by 15{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} to 25{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a}, but lenders caution that activity depends on rates staying low.
Housing starts fell 7.8{26f010923df5620b715103baf179d06cd3382e8a6904bc84385bc9982dcc352a} year-over-year in October, led by steep declines in the Sunbelt and Mountain West regions.