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The bank that's got your mortgage lender's back

Nov 14, 2024
Alanna McCargo of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco discusses the bank's role in the region's housing affordability challenges.
"Affordability has been a long-time challenge," said Alanna McCargo, head of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Mortgage rates are falling. Will it offer buyers any relief?

Sep 25, 2024
It all depends on what happens with home prices.
Mortgage rates fell in anticipation of the Fed's interest rate cut last week.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

For most U.S. households, buying a home isn't within reach

Aug 20, 2024
The median home buyer's income is higher than the median U.S. household income. And the gap is growing.
Owning a home is increasingly reserved for wealthier Americans.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

More trouble for real estate loans, but not the kind you think

Aug 8, 2024
High interest rates, lower than expected rents, and an oversupply of new apartments are squeezing landlords, especially those located in Sunbelt states.
Apartments are stealing office buildings' thunder when it comes to economic distress.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

First-time homebuyers are a growing share of the market

Jul 17, 2024
But not because it's easier to buy.
Michael and Lauren James, with real estate agent Joy Sushinsky, center, bought their first house this summer.
Amy Scott/Marketplace

Rise in house completions means relief is coming for home seekers

Jul 17, 2024
The increase in housing supply will help bring down, or at least steady, prices, experts say.
"The best way to deal with inflation is supply, right?" says Logan Mohtashami of HousingWire. "You want to build as much as you can and get those homes out there for people to live in and bring down the rise of rents."
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Nearly 1 in 4 Black borrowers are denied a mortgage

Jun 19, 2024
Comparatively, 1 in 10 white borrowers are turned away.
Racial disparities in the mortgage market persist.
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"Mom, Dad, will you cosign my mortgage, please?"

Jun 10, 2024
Young adults increasingly need help from a parent, or other older adult, to buy their first home. The tough market is removing some of the stigma.
Many parents are helping their kids buy a home, which makes "it that much harder for other people to break into the housing market when they don't have that help," said Abha Bhattarai at The Washington Post.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A tax break to encourage homeownership primarily helps the wealthy

Jun 3, 2024
Economists argue the home mortgage interest deduction doesn't really work and costs the federal government tens of billions of dollars a year.
To be eligible for the home mortgage interest deduction, a buyer would have to be among the 11% of taxpayers who itemize their returns. Above, a home for sale in Damascus, Maryland.
Kimberly Adams/ Marketplace