This summer brought more “for sale” signs across the Puget Sound yet many homes are lingering on the market as buyers hesitate to make big moves. A new report from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows King County now has more than three months of inventory for single family homes, the highest level in at […]

Effective for loan application dates on or after August 3rd, Fannie Mae’s Limited Review and Freddie Mac’s Streamlined Review will be eliminated. Lenders may implement earlier so the application date and each lender’s internal policy determine applicability. Established condo projects previously eligible for abbreviated reviews will generally require a Full Review unless they qualify for […]

The debate over who’s to blame for today’s housing crunch—Boomers hoarding homes, Gen Z being priced out, or bad policy—has grown loud and unhelpful. Headlines trade on catchy stats that get shared widely but don’t always tell the full story. Here’s a clear, consumer-focused take on what’s really going on, how Gen Z compares to […]

For many older neighborhoods, a small metal eagle perched above a garage or front door quietly marks a major milestone: the mortgage is paid. These decorative eagles sometimes wooden, cast iron, or gilt were popularized in the post-World War II era as returning veterans used the G.I. Bill to buy homes. As families freed themselves […]

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced revisions to its appraisal requirements and processes designed to reduce delays, eliminate outdated rules and help Veteran homebuyers move more quickly in a competitive housing market. The updates are effective now and are reflected in the revised VA Lenders Handbook (Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 12. Key changes Topic […]

Short answer: a nationwide housing market crash in 2026 is unlikely. What’s more likely is continued normalization; modest price growth, slower turnover, and significant local variation. Here’s a clear, practical summary of the data, risks to watch, and how to prepare. Why a crash is unlikely Current market picture What could still trigger a crash […]

Good news for homebuyers: mortgage insurance (MI) premiums are permanently tax-deductible — and that can lower the cost of buying a home, especially for buyers putting down less than 20%. What changed Who can use it Why it matters to buyers A simple example Other related tax changes to know What to tell your loan […]

April saw an uptick in sellers withdrawing homes from the market, signaling a cooling spring selling season. Nationwide, 5.8% of active listings were delisted in April — the highest share since the pandemic’s early months and up 3.8% from March, per Redfin. Many homeowners are walking away amid higher mortgage rates, rising gas prices and […]

June’s National Homeownership Month is a timely reminder that owning a home remains a core part of the American Dream — but rising costs and shrinking affordability are putting that dream out of reach for many prospective buyers. What’s changing? Across the board, housing expenses have climbed. The American Property Owners Alliance reports median monthly […]

New data from the National Association of Realtors shows single Gen Z women are leading their peers in homebuying. Among Gen Z buyers (ages 18–26), single women made up 35% of purchases, compared with 18% for single men—making Gen Z the generation with the largest share of single-woman buyers. Across all generations, single women accounted […]