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☆ Racial homeownership gap widens as Black buyers struggle to secure loans amid persistent discrimination and redlining, analysis finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The rate of Black homeownership in the US has increased by less than one percent over the last , the National Association of Realtors found. On Tuesday, an Ohio-based bank paid millions to the Justice Department after being accused of redlining Black buyers. New scoring models by the Federal Housing Finance Agency suggest homeownership could become more accessible for Americans. While the US homeownership rate has consistently increased over the years, according to an analysis by the National Association of Realtors, the Black homeownership rate has failed to keep up. Homeowners of other racial and ethnic groups fall below the 30% mark, with just 21% of White Americans spending 30% of their income on their home.

☆ U.S. house price inflation cools further in December
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The S&P CoreLogic Case Shiller national home price index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, increased 5.8% year-on-year in December. Prices increased 5.8% in 2022, pulling back from 2021's record-setting 18.9% gain. The housing market has been hammered by the Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy stance, with residential investment contracting for seven straight quarters, the longest such stretch since 2009. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased to an average of 6.50% last week from 6.32% in the prior week, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac. While higher mortgage are hurting demand and cooling house price inflation, the FHFA noted that "these negative pressures were partially offset by historically low inventory."

☆ U.S. consumer confidence ebbs; house price inflation slows further
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But the correlation between confidence and consumer spending has been weak. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index dropped to 102.9 this month from 106.0 in January. Consumer spending increased by the most in nearly two years in January, driven by a surge in wage gains. The S&P CoreLogic Case Shiller national home price index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, increased 5.8% year-on-year in December, a second report showed on Tuesday. Price growth remained strong in the South, with double-digit gains in Miami, Tampa and Atlanta.

☆ Low-income renters are frustrated by Biden's new plan to make housing more affordable because they don't think it does enough to combat surging rents
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Jason Lalljee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The White House outlined actions it's taking to protect tenants amid rising rents and evictions. Tenants' groups told Insider that they wanted decisive legal and financial action from the president. In addition to that, the White House also published a "Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights," endorsing fair housing practices and a tenants' right to organize. "On the one hand, we are encouraged that the White House has released this Blueprint as a statement of values," Martin said. "As a blueprint, the document's statements don't do anything to materially help improve conditions for renters," he said.

☆ We read the Biden administration's proposal to protect renters from discrimination and unwarranted rent hikes. Here are the 3 biggest takeaways.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Biden administration announced several new protections for renters on January 25. At the same time, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, an independent organization that helps regulate the mortgage market, will create new policies that encourage development of affordable-rental units. Insider reviewed the documents the White House released concerning the new initiatives. The idea comes as many renters continue to organize in order to combat what they see as unwarranted rent increases and evictions. Some home builders like Jerry Konter, the chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, disagreed with the new protections for renters.

☆ Biden administration unveils rent protections
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Washington, DC CNN —In response to rent payments soaring across the country in recent years, the Biden administration unveiled new actions Wednesday to protect tenants, make renting more affordable and improve fairness in the rental housing market. The agencies involved include the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice. The FHFA will initiate a process to examine limits on egregious rent increases and proposals for renter protections for future investments. The administration also set out its guiding principles in its “Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights,” which, while not enforceable, aims to underscore protections the administration says every renter deserves. Meanwhile, others in the housing industry say that this kind of federal involvement in housing policy serves to increase housing costs.

☆ With mortgage rates dropping and fee changes in the pipeline, now may be the time to buy that home
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Is now a good time to lock-in your mortgage rate? As long as the Federal Funds rate stays high, so will mortgage rates. Today's 30-year mortgage rates are currently 0.93% lower than they were last fall, when rates hit 7.08%. The upcoming FHFA fee changes affect conforming conventional loans, which can be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by lenders. The future fee changes will add an additional layer of complexity to a process that already causes heads to spin.

Conforming mortgage lenders will start using FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 scoring models to evaluate borrowers. These newer scoring models utilize alternative credit data, such as rent payment history, and use a trended data approach. But soon, lenders will be asked to start using two newer scoring models: the FICO 10T and the VantageScore 4.0. The FHFA describes these models as "more inclusive" than the FICO scoring models that lenders have been using for the last two decades. Currently, mortgage lenders pull credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus and look at the scores on each of those reports.

Conforming borrowing limits are the same throughout Alaska and FHA borrowing limits vary by county. FHA mortgage limits start at $472,030 and go up to $586,500, depending on what county you're buying a home in. In 2023, Alaska homebuyers can borrow a conforming mortgage up to $1,089,300 in all counties. The Federal Housing Finance Agency sets loan limits for conforming mortgages, while the Federal Housing Administration sets limits for FHA mortgages. Alaska borrowing limits in 2023 by countyCounty Conforming mortgage limit (single-family home) FHA mortgage limit (single-family home) Aleutians East Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Aleutians West Census Area $1,089,300 $545,100 Anchorage Municipality $1,089,300 $472,030 Bethel Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Bristol Bay Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Chugach Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Denali Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Dillingham Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Fairbanks North Star Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Haines Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Hoonah-Angoon Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Juneau City and Borough $1,089,300 $524,400 Kenai Peninsula Borough $1,089,300 $533,600 Ketchikan Gateway Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Kodiak Island Borough $1,089,300 $485,300 Kusilvak Census Area $1,089,300 $485,300 Lake and Peninsula Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Matanuska-Susitna Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Nome Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 North Slope Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Northwest Arctic Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Petersburg Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Sitka City and Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Skagway Municipality $1,089,300 $586,500 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area $1,089,300 $524,400 Valdez-Cordova Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030 Wrangell City and Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Yakutat City and Borough $1,089,300 $472,030 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area $1,089,300 $472,030Quick tip: You'll need to get a jumbo mortgage if you want to borrow more than $1,089,300, regardless of which Alaska county you live in.

Louisiana parishes (which are similar to counties) have pretty consistent borrowing limits for mortgages. As a result, you can compare potential new homes in two distinct parishes without factoring in borrowing limits as much. Louisiana borrowing limits in 2023 by parishesParish Conforming mortgage borrowing limit (single-family home FHA mortgage borrowing limit (single-family home) Acadia Parish $726,200 $472,030 Allen Parish $726,200 $472,030 Ascension Parish $726,200 $472,030 Assumption Parish $726,200 $472,030 Avoyelles Parish $726,200 $472,030 Beauregard Parish $726,200 $472,030 Bienville Parish $726,200 $472,030 Bossier Parish $726,200 $472,030 Caddo Parish $726,200 $472,030 Calcasieu Parish $726,200 $472,030 Caldwell Parish $726,200 $472,030 Cameron Parish $726,200 $472,030 Catahoula Parish $726,200 $472,030 Claiborne Parish $726,200 $472,030 Concordia Parish $726,200 $472,030 De Soto Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Baton Rouge Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Carroll Parish $726,200 $472,030 East Feliciana Parish $726,200 $472,030 Evangeline Parish $726,200 $472,030 Franklin Parish $726,200 $472,030 Grant Parish $726,200 $472,030 Iberia Parish $726,200 $472,030 Iberville Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jackson Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson Parish $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson Davis Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lafayette Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lafourche Parish $726,200 $472,030 La Salle Parish $726,200 $472,030 Lincoln Parish $726,200 $472,030 Livingston Parish $726,200 $472,030 Madison Parish $726,200 $472,030 Morehouse Parish $726,200 $472,030 Natchitoches Parish $726,200 $472,030 Orleans Parish $726,200 $472,030 Ouachita Parish $726,200 $472,030 Plaquemines Parish $726,200 $472,030 Pointe Coupee Parish $726,200 $472,030 Rapides Parish $726,200 $472,030 Red River Parish $726,200 $472,030 Richland Parish $726,200 $472,030 Sabine Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Bernard Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Charles Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Helena Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. James Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. John the Baptish Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Landry Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Marin Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Mary Parish $726,200 $472,030 St. Tammany Parish $726,200 $472,030 Tangipahoa Parish $726,200 $472,030 Tensas Parish $726,200 $472,030 Terrebonne Parish $726,200 $472,030 Union Parish $726,200 $472,030 Vermilion Parish $726,200 $472,030 Vernon Parish $726,200 $472,030 Washington Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Baton Rouge Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Carroll Parish $726,200 $472,030 West Feliciana Parish $726,200 $472,030 Winn Parish $726,200 $472,030Note: You'll need to get a jumbo loan if you want to borrow more than $726,200, regardless of where you want to live in Louisiana. How to determine which mortgage is right for youYou may want to consider an FHA mortgage if you don't think you'll meet the requirements for a conforming mortgage. A conforming mortgage may be a good choice if you plan on getting a home that costs more than the FHA borrowing limit in your county.

FHA mortgages and conforming mortgages have borrowing limits that vary by state and county. If you need to borrow more than $726,200 in South Dakota, you'll want to consider getting a jumbo loan. In South Dakota, the 2023 borrowing limit for FHA mortgages is $472,030. In some states, certain counties may have higher borrowing limits than others because it is more expensive to live in that area. South Dakota borrowing limits in 2023 for conforming and FHA mortgages by countyCounty Conforming mortgage limit (single-family home) FHA mortgage limit (single-family home) Aurora County $726,200 $472,030 Beadle County $726,200 $472,030 Bennett County $726,200 $472,030 Bon Homme County $726,200 $472,030 Brookings County $726,200 $472,030 Brown County $726,200 $472,030 Brule County $726,200 $472,030 Buffalo County $726,200 $472,030 Butte County $726,200 $472,030 Campbell County $726,200 $472,030 Charles Mix County $726,200 $472,030 Clark County $726,200 $472,030 Clay County $726,200 $472,030 Codington County $726,200 $472,030 Corson County $726,200 $472,030 Custer County $726,200 $472,030 Davison County $726,200 $472,030 Day County $726,200 $472,030 Deuel County $726,200 $472,030 Dewey County $726,200 $472,030 Douglas County $726,200 $472,030 Edmunds County $726,200 $472,030 Fall River County $726,200 $472,030 Faulk County $726,200 $472,030 Grant County $726,200 $472,030 Gregory County $726,200 $472,030 Haakon County $726,200 $472,030 Hamlin County $726,200 $472,030 Hand County $726,200 $472,030 Hanson County $726,200 $472,030 Harding County $726,200 $472,030 Hughes County $726,200 $472,030 Hutchinson County $726,200 $472,030 Hyde County $726,200 $472,030 Jackson County $726,200 $472,030 Jerauld County $726,200 $472,030 Jones County $726,200 $472,030 Kingsbury County $726,200 $472,030 Lake County $726,200 $472,030 Lawrence County $726,200 $472,030 Lincoln County $726,200 $472,030 Lyman County $726,200 $472,030 McCook County $726,200 $472,030 McPherson County $726,200 $472,030 Marshall County $726,200 $472,030 Meade County $726,200 $472,030 Mellette County $726,200 $472,030 Miner County $726,200 $472,030 Minnehaha County $726,200 $472,030 Moody County $726,200 $472,030 Oglala Lakota County $726,200 $472,030 Pennington County $726,200 $472,030 Perkins County $726,200 $472,030 Potter County $726,200 $472,030 Roberts County $726,200 $472,030 Sanborn County $726,200 $472,030 Spink County $726,200 $472,030 Stanley County $726,200 $472,030 Sully County $726,200 $472,030 Todd County $726,200 $472,030 Tripp County $726,200 $472,030 Turner County $726,200 $472,030 Union County $726,200 $472,030 Walworth County $726,200 $472,030 Yankton County $726,200 $472,030 Ziebach County $726,200 $472,030Note: In South Dakota, you'll need to get a jumbo loan if you want to borrow more than $726,200, regardless of which county you hope to reside in.

In Nebraska, the 2022 borrowing limit for FHA mortgages is $420,680 in all but three counties. Conforming mortgages and FHA mortgages both have borrowing limits. Nebraska borrowing limits in 2023 for conforming and FHA mortgages by countyCounty Conforming mortgage limit (single-family home) FHA mortgage limit (single-family home) Adams County $726,200 $472,030 Antelope County $726,200 $472,030 Arthur County $726,200 $472,030 Banner County $726,200 $472,030 Blaine County $726,200 $472,030 Boone County $726,200 $472,030 Box Butte County $726,200 $472,030 Boyd County $726,200 $472,030 Brown County $726,200 $472,030 Buffalo County $726,200 $472,030 Burt County $726,200 $472,030 Butler County $726,200 $472,030 Cass County $726,200 $472,030 Cedar County $726,200 $472,030 Chase County $726,200 $472,030 Cherry County $726,200 $472,030 Cheyenne County $726,200 $472,030 Clay County $726,200 $472,030 Colfax County $726,200 $472,030 Cuming County $726,200 $472,030 Custer County $726,200 $472,030 Dakota County $726,200 $472,030 Dawes County $726,200 $472,030 Dawson County $726,200 $472,030 Deuel County $726,200 $472,030 Dixon County $726,200 $472,030 Dodge County $726,200 $472,030 Douglas County $726,200 $472,030 Dundy county $726,200 $472,030 Fillmore County $726,200 $472,030 Franklin County $726,200 $472,030 Frontier County $726,200 $472,030 Furnas County $726,200 $472,030 Gage County $726,200 $472,030 Garden County $726,200 $472,030 Garfield County $726,200 $472,030 Gosper County $726,200 $472,030 Grant County $726,200 $472,030 Greeley County $726,200 $472,030 Hall County $726,200 $472,030 Hamilton County $726,200 $472,030 Harlan County $726,200 $472,030 Hayes County $726,200 $472,030 Hitchcock County $726,200 $472,030 Holt County $726,200 $472,030 Hooker County $726,200 $472,030 Howard County $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson County $726,200 $472,030 Johnson County $726,200 $472,030 Kearney County $726,200 $472,030 Keith County $726,200 $472,030 Keye Paha County $726,200 $472,030 Kimball County $726,200 $472,030 Knox County $726,200 $472,030 Lancaster County $726,200 $472,030 Lincoln County $726,200 $472,030 Logan County $726,200 $472,030 Loup County $726,200 $472,030 McPherson County $726,200 $472,030 Madison County $726,200 $472,030 Merrick County $726,200 $472,030 Morrill County $726,200 $472,030 Nance County $726,200 $472,030 Nemaha County $726,200 $472,030 Nuckolls County $726,200 $472,030 Otoe County $726,200 $472,030 Pawnee County $726,200 $472,030 Perkins County $726,200 $472,030 Phelps County $726,200 $472,030 Pierce County $726,200 $472,030 Platte County $726,200 $472,030 Polk County $726,200 $472,030 Red Willow County $726,200 $472,030 Richardson County $726,200 $472,030 Rock County $726,200 $472,030 Saline County $726,200 $472,030 Sarpy County $726,200 $472,030 Saunders County $726,200 $472,030 Scotts Bluff County $726,200 $472,030 Seward County $726,200 $472,030 Sheridan County $726,200 $472,030 Sherman County $726,200 $472,030 Sioux County $726,200 $472,030 Stanton County $726,200 $472,030 Thayer County $726,200 $472,030 Thomas County $726,200 $472,030 Thurston County $726,200 $472,030 Valley County $726,200 $472,030 Washington County $726,200 $472,030 Wayne County $726,200 $472,030 Webster County $726,200 $472,030 Wheeler County $726,200 $472,030 York County $726,200 $472,030Note: You'll need to get a jumbo loan if you want to borrow more than $726,200, regardless of which county you hope to reside in. Depending on the lender and term length, you might be able to lock in a lower rate for a conforming mortgage. If you plan to buy a more expensive home in Nebraska, jumbo loans let you borrow more money than the conforming mortgage limit.

☆ Homebuyers will be able to get bigger mortgages in 2023 but it could be a bad idea for Americans to stretch their budgets too far
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Federal Housing Finance Agency raised its conforming loan limit values for mortgages in 2023. In most of the US, the agency raised the conforming loan value from $647,200 to $726,200. However, updates from The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which has increased its conforming loan limit values for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages in 2023, will likely change the equation for many homebuyers. However, in high-cost areas of the country, such as New York City or San Francisco, the loan limit ceiling has been changed to $1,089,300. Higher loan limits are a double edged sword for first-time buyersCohn is not alone in her thinking.

In Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200 for a conforming mortgage. Most Montana counties limit you to borrowing $472,030 for an FHA mortgage, but a select few have higher maximums. Montana conforming and FHA mortgage borrowing limits by countyTo get a conforming mortgage — which is what most people think of as a "regular mortgage" — in Montana, you can borrow up to $726,200. Borrowing limits for FHA mortgages are different in some counties. Note: To borrow more than $726,200 in Montana, you'll have to apply for a jumbo mortgage.

The conforming mortgage borrowing limit is $726,200 for all Oregon counties. If you'd like to get an FHA mortgage, the maximum borrowing amount varies per county. In Oregon, some counties have higher FHA borrowing limits than others. Oregon borrowing limits in 2022 for conforming and FHA mortgages by countyTake note, Clackamas County, Columbia County, Hood River County, Multnomah County, Washington County, and Yamhill County have the highest FHA mortgage borrowing limits in Oregon. How to determine if a conforming, jumbo, or FHA mortgage is right for youAn FHA mortgage is a government-backed loan with more lenient eligibility requirements than conforming loans.

The 2022 FHA mortgage borrowing limit is either $472,030 or $529,000 depending on the county. The conforming mortgage borrowing limit is $726,200 for all Delaware counties. Each year, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) set mortgage limits on conforming mortgages and FHA mortgages. Below, you'll find the 2023 mortgage borrowing limits for all Delaware counties, gathered from the FHA and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Delaware borrowing limits in 2023 for conforming and FHA mortgages by countyDelaware's conforming mortgage limits reflect many other parts throughout the US.

You can borrow up to $726,200 for a conforming mortgage in North Dakota, or $472,030 for an FHA mortgage. Your choice between a conforming or FHA mortgage may depend on credit score, debt, or insurance costs. The Federal Housing Finance Agency sets borrowing limits for conforming mortgages, and the Federal Housing Administration sets limits for FHA mortgages. Borrowing limits for both types of mortgages are the same in every North Dakota county. You'll need at least 3% for a conforming mortgage and 3.5% for an FHA mortgage.

Mortgage borrowing limits are the same in all Alabama counties. Mortgage borrowing limits in Alabama are the same in every county in 2022: $726,200 for conforming mortgages and $472,030 for FHA mortgages. How do mortgage borrowing limits work? If you want to buy a home that costs more than the conforming mortgage limit in your county, you'll need to get a jumbo mortgage. Alabama borrowing limits in 2023 by countyCounty Conforming mortgage limit (single-family home) FHA mortgage limit (single-family home) Autauga $726,200 $472,030 Baldwin $726,200 $472,030 Barbour $726,200 $472,030 Bibb $726,200 $472,030 Blount $726,200 $472,030 Bullock $726,200 $472,030 Butler $726,200 $472,030 Calhoun $726,200 $472,030 Chambers $726,200 $472,030 Cherokee $726,200 $472,030 Chilton $726,200 $472,030 Choctaw $726,200 $472,030 Clarke $726,200 $472,030 Clay $726,200 $472,030 Cleburne $726,200 $472,030 Coffee $726,200 $472,030 Colbert $726,200 $472,030 Conecuh $726,200 $472,030 Coosa $726,200 $472,030 Covington $726,200 $472,030 Crenshaw $726,200 $472,030 Cullman $726,200 $472,030 Dale $726,200 $472,030 Dallas $726,200 $472,030 DeKalb $726,200 $472,030 Elmore $726,200 $472,030 Escambia $726,200 $472,030 Etowah $726,200 $472,030 Fayette $726,200 $472,030 Franklin $726,200 $472,030 Geneva $726,200 $472,030 Greene $726,200 $472,030 Hale $726,200 $472,030 Henry $726,200 $472,030 Houston $726,200 $472,030 Jackson $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson $726,200 $472,030 Lamar $726,200 $472,030 Lauderdale $726,200 $472,030 Lawrence $726,200 $472,030 Lee $726,200 $472,030 Limeston $726,200 $472,030 Lowndes $726,200 $472,030 Macon $726,200 $472,030 Madison $726,200 $472,030 Marengo $726,200 $472,030 Marion $726,200 $472,030 Marshall $726,200 $472,030 Mobile $726,200 $472,030 Monroe $726,200 $472,030 Montgomery $726,200 $472,030 Morgan $726,200 $472,030 Perry $726,200 $472,030 Pickens $726,200 $472,030 Pike $726,200 $472,030 Randolph $726,200 $472,030 Russell $726,200 $472,030 St. Clair $726,200 $472,030 Shelby $726,200 $472,030 Sumter $726,200 $472,030 Talladega $726,200 $472,030 Tallapoosa $726,200 $472,030 Tuscaloosa $726,200 $472,030 Walker $726,200 $472,030 Washington $726,200 $472,030 Wilcox $726,200 $472,030 Winston $726,200 $472,030Note: In every county in Alabama, if you want to borrow more than the baseline loan limit of $726,200, you'll need to get a jumbo mortgage.

You can borrow up to $726,200 with a conforming mortgage in Kentucky, or $472,030 with an FHA mortgage. The best type of mortgage for you could also come down to insurance costs or your credit score. For a conforming mortgage — which is what you may think of as a "regular mortgage" — you can borrow up to $726,200. You can borrow more with a conforming mortgage than with an FHA loan, and you could take out even more with a jumbo mortgage. A conforming mortgage typically requires a minimum 620 credit score, and you'll need a higher one for a jumbo mortgage.

☆ Double-digit U.S. home price growth streak skids to an end
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Dan Burns | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The S&P CoreLogic Case Shiller national home price index increased by 9.2% in October, down from 10.7% in September and notching the first single-digit gain since November 2020. On a month-over-month basis, S&P Case Shiller's index fell for a fourth straight month, while FHFA's gauge was unchanged. The housing market has suffered the most visible effects of aggressive Fed interest rate hikes that are aimed at curbing high inflation by undercutting demand in the economy. Unlike then, the supply of homes on the market remains extraordinarily limited and should keep a floor under house prices. "As the Fed tightens financial conditions, the housing market will likely slow further in the coming year," LPL Financial Chief Economist Jeffrey Roach said.

☆ Premarket stocks: Betting on a market bounce? You may be waiting a while
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —‘Tis the season for Wall Street strategists to pack their clients’ inboxes with market predictions for 2023. Market analysts aren’t alone. “US equity returns will be driven by earnings against a backdrop characterized by elevated market volatility,” write JPMorgan analysts. The effort was initially touted as a “Big Bang 2.0” — a nod to the rapid deregulation of UK financial markets under former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1986. The changes are a bid to maintain London’s role as a global financial hub after Brexit, which, alongside political turmoil, has boosted uncertainty for companies thinking about where to invest.

☆ Connecticut's wealthy hedge-fund haven, home to Shonda Rhimes and the billionaire owner of the Mets, is losing federal 'high-cost' housing status after its home price gains lagged the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Fairfield County, Connecticut, is a ritzy NYC suburb known for hedge funds and shoreline mansions. Fairfield County, Connecticut, New York City's ritziest suburban enclave, barely saw any home-price gains in the year through September, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The county's median household income of $101,194 tops the overall median income in the US — $70,784 — by a large margin. Data from Douglas Elliman shows Fairfield County's median sale price rose by 8.2% year-over-year through September, for example. In 2022, with high-cost status, the county's limit has been significantly higher, at $970,000.

☆ More Foreclosures, Easier Mortgages Would Help Fix America's Housing Market
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

These standards are based on factors including the borrower's financial stability and the state of the housing market and economy. Finding the right size for the credit box is much easier said than done. A tidal wave of foreclosures followed, plunging the US housing market — and the global economy — into chaos. Even just stabilizing the credit box over time could also help smooth out some of the boom-and-bust cycles that have come to define the housing market. "If we do not address this intrinsic cyclicality, the housing market will continue to experience boom-bust cycles, leaving destruction in their wake," the paper said.

☆ Some Home Buyers Could Soon Get a $1 Million Mortgage With a 3% Down Payment
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Veronica Dagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

To qualify for a $1 million mortgage, Americans typically have to make a down payment of at least 20% of the home’s price. Starting next year, some buyers could put as little as 3% down. The cap for home loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rises to $1,089,300 next year in a few expensive markets including Los Angeles and New York, up from $970,800, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, said Tuesday. The higher limit means borrowers can qualify for bigger loans without needing to take out jumbo mortgages, which aren’t federally backed and have more-stringent requirements for income, credit and down payments.

☆ Home Buyers Could Soon Get $1 Million Mortgage With 3% Down Payment
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Veronica Dagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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