Pending Home Sales Edge Higher, Remain 4.7% Below Last Year

by John G. Stevens | Sep 17, 2026 | U.S. Housing Market

WASHINGTON — Pending home sales edged higher in August, but the modest monthly improvement did little to change a housing market still operating well below last year’s pace. The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index increased 0.3% from July to a...

Senate Banking Committee Advances Brian Johnson for CFPB Director

by John G. Stevens | Sep 17, 2026 | News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Senate Banking Committee voted Thursday to advance Brian Johnson’s nomination to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, moving President Donald Trump’s pick one step closer to taking charge of the agency that oversees consumer-finance laws...

Federal Homelessness Fraud Cases Allege Millions Diverted to Real Estate, Nightclub

by John G. Stevens | Sep 17, 2026 | U.S. Housing Market

LOS ANGELES — Federal prosecutors have charged three people in separate Southern California homelessness fraud and corruption cases involving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, including allegations that money intended for homeless housing was diverted to...

Lennar Profit Falls 52% as Builder Cuts 2026 Delivery Target Again

by John G. Stevens | Sep 17, 2026 | Real Estate News

Lennar’s third-quarter profit fell by more than half from a year ago, and the homebuilder cut its full-year delivery target again as higher mortgage rates and worsening affordability slowed buyers across its markets.The Miami-based builder reported net earnings...

Pennymac Raises Early 2027 Conforming Loan Limit to $850,000

by John G. Stevens | Sep 16, 2026 | Mortgage Information

Pennymac has raised its conventional loan limits to $850,000 for one-unit properties, becoming the latest major mortgage lender to move ahead of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s official 2027 conforming loan limit announcement. The new limit is effective for...