HW+ provides career-making insights and analysis for those in Mortgage, Real Estate and FinTech. This long-form digital content provides members with news nowhere else and digs deeper into the “why” behind the daily news cycle. To join the HW+ community, click here.
Howard Hanna enters NYC with Elegran Real Estate acquisition
After a decade in New York state, Howard Hanna has finally made its way into Manhattan through its acquisition of Elegran.
Easing mortgage rates drive builder confidence higher
Builder confidence rose in October as mortgage rates fell, but challenges remain.
Russell Vought says he will shut down CFPB
Budget Director Russel Vought said he plans call to shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the next two or three months.
Most Gen Xers doubt their retirement readiness
Northwestern Mutual’s study found that Gen Xers expect they’ll need $1.57 million to retire comfortably, $310,000 above the national average.
Inflation edges higher in August, but Fed still likely to trim rates
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9% year over year in August, up from 2.7% in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday.
Mortgage credit availability inched up in August as rates cooled
Mortgage credit availability increased slightly in August. Similar to July, this was driven by a small increase in ARM product offerings.
Investor home purchases hit lowest second-quarter level since 2020
The decline comes as investors face the same pressures as individual buyers; high borrowing costs, elevated prices and economic uncertainty.
Baltimore’s push against vacant housing shows positive results
Vacancy notices have fell from 16,000 in 2020 to about 12,600 in 2025 — a 21% decrease, according to Urban Institute.
