News for: NPR
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Apr 7, 2026 2:30 AM
— Mortgage Rates
Beer cans, helium balloons and mortgages: An unexpected mix of things affected by the war
The Iran war has caused global shortages and price spikes in various industries, affecting everyday life and pocketbooks. These shortages include aluminum, helium, fertilizer, sulfur, and petrochemicals. In particular, the shortage of fertilizer and its resulting price hikes are impacting farmers globally. Additionally, the war has driven up borrowing costs, including mortgage rates, due to increa... more
Apr 2, 2026 4:30 PM
— Mortgage Lenders
Trump's VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it
Leann Ledford's family is facing eviction due to complications with the VA home loan program, which has caused over 10,000 veterans to lose their homes in foreclosure since the Trump administration shut down key safety nets. Despite warnings, the VA program that could have helped veterans was shut down, leaving many in danger of losing their homes.
Mar 4, 2026 11:30 PM
— Mortgage Lending
Want a 2.5% mortgage? Buy it. : The Indicator from Planet Money
The article discusses the option of assumable mortgages as a way to obtain low mortgage rates without needing a time machine. Assumable mortgages involve buying a house that comes with an existing mortgage, which can be a lengthy process requiring a significant amount of cash.
Feb 26, 2026 9:30 AM
— Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates fall below 6% for the first time in years
U.S. mortgage rates have dropped below 6% for the first time since September 2022, creating a psychologically significant milestone for homeowners and potential buyers. The decline in rates is attributed to the Federal Reserve cutting its benchmark interest rate and the increased demand for loans on the secondary market. Despite the positive trend, housing prices remain high due to a housing short... more
Feb 15, 2026 4:30 AM
— Assumable Mortgages
Want a mortgage for under 3% in 2026? Meet the 'assumable mortgage'
The article discusses how assumable mortgages allow homebuyers to take over the seller's lower mortgage rate, potentially saving money. These types of mortgages are not as common as they could be due to various challenges such as servicer delays and the current high cost of housing. Some companies help expedite the process but may charge unnecessary fees. Although there is potential to loosen the ... more
Feb 3, 2026 1:30 AM
— Housing Market
Privatizing Fannie Mae is risky. Would it be a win for taxpayers or Trump's donors?
The Trump administration is considering a partial sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-controlled mortgage giants that guarantee a significant portion of U.S. home loans. The potential re-privatization of these entities has raised concerns about financial market instability, increased mortgage rates, and questions about the benefits for taxpayers. FHFA Director Bill Pulte is at the f... more
Nov 18, 2025 3:30 AM
— Mortgage Lending
Is a 50-year mortgage really that much crazier than a 30-year one? : Planet Money
President Trump raised the idea of backing a 50-year fixed mortgage, causing mixed reactions. Some saw it as a potential benefit due to lower monthly payments, while others criticized it for increasing interest payments and prolonging the period of paying off the principal. Most Americans do not keep their mortgages for the full term, preferring to refinance or move. The 30-year mortgage system in... more
Nov 12, 2025 3:30 PM
— Housing Market
3 questions about Trump's 50-year mortgage plan
The Trump administration is proposing a 50-year mortgage option to help prospective buyers get into a home, although there is skepticism about the idea due to concerns about higher interest payments and the prolonged time to build equity. Critics worry that the plan will benefit lenders more than buyers and question if it will gain traction among borrowers. There are concerns about the potential l... more
Sep 11, 2025 10:23 AM
— Interest Rates
Home mortgage demand surges as rates drop to 6.35%
Mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest level since October 2024, with the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage falling to 6.35%. This has led to a surge in mortgage applications for both home purchases and refinancing. Treasury yields affecting mortgage rates moved lower due to weakening labor market data and the Federal Reserve is expected to cut the fed funds rate, although... more
Aug 22, 2025 2:23 AM
— Housing Market
After a few chilly years, the real estate market is looking a little warmer
The housing market is finally showing some improvement as sales of existing homes rose by 2% in July, with a 16% increase in inventory compared to the previous year. Prices in many markets are softening, interest rates are high, and mortgage rates are averaging around 6.6%. A slight decrease in mortgage rates has led to an increase in refinance activity. The Federal Reserve's upcoming vote on inte... more
Jul 26, 2025 2:00 AM
— Housing Market
Home sales are down. So why are prices at an all-time high?
The housing market has slowed down this year due to high prices and elevated mortgage rates. Home prices hit an all-time high in June, with sales numbers decreasing. The market is currently divided between those who can afford high-priced homes and those who are being shut out. Sales are strongest in the high-end market, with homes priced over $1 million seeing a sales spike. The market is discour... more
Jul 24, 2025 11:00 AM
— Interest Rates
Trump says cutting interest rate will make homebuying cheaper. It's not that simple
President Trump blames Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for high home prices, arguing that the Fed should lower interest rates to help people afford homes. However, Robert Reich warns that lowering interest rates may not necessarily make mortgages cheaper, as it could affect the Fed's credibility in fighting inflation. Reich also points out that a rush of demand due to interest rate cuts could ... more
Jun 23, 2025 8:00 AM
— Housing Market
Home sales just posted their slowest May in 16 years
Existing home sales in the U.S. for May decreased compared to the same month last year, with affordability being a key challenge as median home prices have risen while wages have not kept up. Inventory of homes for sale has increased by more than 20%, shifting the market to favor buyers in some areas. Home prices have continued to rise, though at a slower rate than during the pandemic. Buyers have... more
May 28, 2025 2:00 AM
— Housing Market
‘We’re in a holding pattern’: Home sales and building slump in the face of uncertainty
The housing market in the US is facing sluggish home sales, plodding construction, high mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty. Home prices are soaring, and construction has slowed down. Builders are struggling with pricing uncertainties due to tariffs on Canadian lumber. Many buyers are unable to afford homes due to rising prices and high mortgage rates, resulting in pent-up demand. Despite thi... more
May 1, 2025 2:01 AM
— Mortgage Lenders
Trump's VA strands thousands of veterans by ending a key mortgage program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ended a mortgage-rescue program that helped 20,000 veterans avoid foreclosure, which has left millions of military veterans with limited options if they struggle to pay their home loans. This move was criticized by industry groups, advocates, and veterans' organizations. The VA has now left veterans behind on their mortgages with fewer options compared to ot... more
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All logos, trademarks, and brand names appearing on this website are the property of their respective owners.
The mortgage rates displayed on this site are collected daily from publicly available sources provided by more than 800 lenders. LoanGlass does not receive compensation for listing these rates, and all rates are presented as published by the respective lenders. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the information may contain errors or omissions. Mortgage rates are highly dependent on an individual’s financial circumstances, credit profile, loan terms, and other factors. As such, the rates you are quoted directly by a lender may differ materially from the rates displayed here.
Users should contact lenders directly to obtain formal, binding loan offers. If you identify any discrepancies in the data or would like to have your institution’s rates included, please contact us at content@loanglass.com.
All logos, trademarks, and brand names appearing on this website are the property of their respective owners.