Keith Griffith
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Articles by Keith Griffith
Fed Interest Rate Hike Seems More Likely This Month After Alarming Inflation Data Original
New inflation data released on Wednesday is raising the odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike later this month, potentially putting a spotlight on rising mortgage rates ahead of the midterm elections. Overall prices jumped 3.7% in the 12 months through September, according to consumer price index data release by the Labor Department. That's up from 3.4% annual inflation the prior month, and more than economists had expected.
FHA Official Predicts ‘Significant Acceleration’ in Manufactured Housing Under New Rules
Recent reforms to federal rules for manufactured homes could spur a boom in the sector and boost the supply of affordable starter homes, a top housing official says. Matt Jones, an official in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as FHA commissioner, said that a seemingly small change in the recently passed 21st Century Road to Housing Act could have a big impact on manufactured housing.
FHA Official Predicts ‘Significant Acceleration’ in Manufactured Housing Under New Rules
Recent reforms to federal rules for manufactured homes could spur a boom in the sector and boost the supply of affordable starter homes, a top housing official says. Matt Jones, an official in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as FHA commissioner, said that a seemingly small change in the recently passed 21st Century Road to Housing Act could have a big impact on manufactured housing.
Mortgage Rates Will Remain Above 7% Through 2027, Top Economist Forecasts Original
Mortgage rates will remain elevated above 7% through the end of next year, according to the forecast of a top housing economist with the Mortgage Bankers Association. "Inflation is too high, leading central banks to raise short-term rates, while budget deficits and debt are unsustainably high, leading bond investors to push up longer-term rates,” MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni said at the group's annual conference on Sunday in Chicago.
Fed Policymakers Think Another Interest Rate Hike Is Likely This Year, Minutes Show Original
Federal Reserve policymakers believe another increase to the benchmark interest rate will likely be necessary by the end of the year, according to newly released meeting minutes. At the September meeting of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh joined the unanimous 12-0 vote in favor of raising the overnight interest rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, marking the first rate increase in more than three years.
Fed Official Sounds Warning on Housing as Affordability Hits 21-Year Low Original
A top Federal Reserve official has delivered a sobering assessment of the U.S. housing market, warning that a severe housing shortage is driving up shelter costs at a time when the central bank may be forced to raise interest rates even further. Speaking at an event in Chicago on Wednesday, Fed Gov. Michael S. Barr highlighted the growing disconnect between everyday Americans' earnings and housing expenses.
Fed Hikes Interest Rates for First Time in 3 Years—Unanimous Decision Comes in Defiance of Trump Original
Federal Reserve policymakers have raised the benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years in response to pernicious inflation, defying President Donald Trump's insistent calls for lower borrowing costs. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh and the rest of the Federal Open Market Committee took the action on Wednesday, voting unanimously to raise the federal funds rate by a quarter percentage point. The move brings the overnight rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, its highest level since last fall.
Fed Interest Rate Hike May Put Chair Kevin Warsh on Collision Course With Trump Original
Federal Reserve policymakers began their two-day meeting to set interest rate policy on Tuesday, and financial markets view a rate hike as likely despite President Donald Trump's calls for lower borrowing costs. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh and the 11 other voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee will cast their votes on rate policy on Wednesday.
Can the Housing Market Survive More Fed Rate Hikes? Original
Policymakers at the Federal Reserve are set to vote this week on interest rate policy, and markets are anticipating that they will raise rates for the first time in three years. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh and the other members of the Federal Open Market Committee will cast their votes on Wednesday, and a rate increase seems likely following a string of reports showing strong hiring and elevated inflation.
See What Your Housing Budget Buys in Every ZIP Code Original
For homebuyers, setting a realistic budget is a smart step early in the process. Once that's done, narrowing down a neighborhood for your home search gets easier. A new tool from the Realtor.com® economic research team breaks down what share of homes located in each ZIP code would be attainable based on a buyer's budget.
Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh Leaves the Door Open for September Rate Hike in Jackson Hole Speech Original
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh left the door open to a possible interest rate hike this fall in his highly anticipated speech in Jackson Hole, WY on Friday, saying the central bank will have "work to do" if inflation doesn't fall soon. Warsh, speaking for the first time as chairman at the Kansas City Fed's annual economic policy symposium, laid out his vision for a Fed that offers less forward guidance but holds firm to its dual mandate of maintaining price stability and maximum employment.
Mortgage Fall Slightly to 6.65% Despite Bond Market Turmoil and Growing Concerns About Federal Debt
Mortgage rates dipped slightly this week, despite growing turmoil in the bond markets that help determine rates as investors grow wary of inflation and rising federal debt. The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans dipped to 6.65% for the week ending Aug. 20, down 2 basis points from 6.67% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. For perspective, rates averaged 6.58% one year ago.
Mortgage Fall Slightly to 6.65% Despite Bond Market Turmoil and Growing Concerns About Federal Debt
Mortgage rates dipped slightly this week, despite growing turmoil in the bond markets that help determine rates as investors grow wary of inflation and rising federal debt. The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans dipped to 6.65% for the week ending Aug. 20, down 2 basis points from 6.67% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. For perspective, rates averaged 6.58% one year ago.
Fed Officials See Interest Rate Hike as ‘Necessary’ If Inflation Doesn’t Ease Soon Original
Federal Reserve policymakers see an interest rate hike as likely if inflation does not ease in the coming months, according to newly release meeting minutes. Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held in Washington DC on July 28 and 29 suggest that there is growing acceptance on the panel that an increase to overnight interest rates may become necessary. "Many participants assessed that policy tightening would likely be necessary if inflation did not decline," the minutes state.
Mortgage Rates Dip Slightly to 6.67% as Hopes for Iran Peace Deal Fizzle Out Original
Mortgage rates eased off their one-year highs this week, as markets continue to await signs of a resolution to the Iran war and normalization of global oil prices. The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans dipped to 6.67% for the week ending Aug. 13, down 2 basis points from 6.69% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac. However, rates remain above their year-ago level after crossing that key threshold last week for the first time in 2026.
Mortgage Applications Rise After Hope of Iran Peace Deal Drove Brief Dip in Rates Original
Mortgage applications to purchase and refinance a home both rose last week, when hopes of a deal to end the Iran war drove a brief dip in mortgage rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. For the week ending Aug. 7, MBA's Market Composite Index—a measure of total mortgage loan application volume—rose 3.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Homeowners Insurance Premiums in Texas Surged 30% in 5 Years—10 Times Faster Than Incomes Original
Homeowners in Texas are grappling with rising insurance premiums, as carriers raise rates in the disaster-prone state. Between 2019 and 2024, home insurance premiums rose 30% in Texas, to an average of $2,983 annually, according to a new report from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Meanwhile, Texas incomes rose just 3% over the same period.
Mortgage Applications Decline After Rates Jumped to a One-Year High Original
Mortgage applications declined last week, after the Federal Reserve issued a split decision on interest rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. For the week ending on July 31, MBA's Market Composite Index—a measure of total mortgage loan application volume—dropped 2.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. The Purchase Index, deemed a leading indicator for home sales, dipped 4% week over week on a seasonally adjusted basis, and was also down 4% from a year earlier.
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady in Split Decision as Rebel Faction Presses for Action on Inflation
Federal Reserve policymakers have voted to leave interest rates steady, despite growing concerns about inflation that prompted several officials to dissent in favor of a rate hike. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh joined the majority on the 12-member Federal Open Market Committee in the 9-3 vote in favor of leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting in Washington, DC. "I asked for a good family fight, and I got one," Warsh said at a press conference after the vote.
Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady in Split Decision as Rebel Faction Presses for Action on Inflation Original
Federal Reserve policymakers have voted to leave interest rates steady, despite growing concerns about inflation that prompted several officials to dissent in favor of a rate hike. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh joined the majority on the 12-member Federal Open Market Committee in the 9-3 vote in favor of leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting in Washington, DC.
Fed Interest Rate Meeting Begins With a Hike on the Table and Another ‘Family Fight’ Over Policy Original
Federal Reserve policymakers will begin their two-day meeting to set interest rate policy on Tuesday, and for the first time in years, the outcome of the vote is a true mystery to investors. Mysterious just the way Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh wants it. Warsh, who started the job in May, has criticized the Fed for telegraphing its future moves too loudly, potentially giving policymakers less flexibility to respond to changing circumstances.
Mortgage Applications Rise Despite Higher Rates as Buyers Respond to Increased Supply
Mortgage applications rose this week, driven by higher purchase activity, as higher rates failed to deter buyers. For the week ending July 17, the Mortgage Bankers Association's Market Composite Index-a measure of total mortgage loan application volume-rose 1.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. The seasonally adjusted purchase index increased 6% from one week earlier, and purchase activity was up 0.2% year over year.
Mortgage Applications Rise Despite Higher Rates as Buyers Respond to Increased Supply
Mortgage applications rose this week, driven by higher purchase activity, as higher rates failed to deter buyers. For the week ending July 17, the Mortgage Bankers Association's Market Composite Index—a measure of total mortgage loan application volume—rose 1.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. The seasonally adjusted purchase index increased 6% from one week earlier, and purchase activity was up 0.2% year over year.
Fed Officials Signal Inflation Crackdown Ahead of Next Interest Rate Meeting
In public appearances this week, a number of top Federal Reserve officials signaled a strict crackdown on sticky inflation, setting a hawkish tone ahead of the next policy meeting later this month.
Foreclosures Jump 21% in First Half of the Year, and Florida Leads the Nation
Foreclosures continued to climb in the first half of the year, approaching levels that haven't been seen since 2019, and Florida is leading the nation. In the first six months of 2026, there were more than 227,000 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings, up 21% from the same period last year, according to real estate data and analytics provider ATTOM. Nationally, that equates to foreclosures on just 0.16% of all homes.
Fed Officials Signal Inflation Crackdown Ahead of Next Interest Rate Meeting Original
In public appearances this week, a number of top Federal Reserve officials signaled a strict crackdown on sticky inflation, setting a hawkish tone ahead of the next policy meeting later this month.
Homebuilder Sentiment Dips Despite Passage of Landmark Housing Bill to Boost Construction Original
Homebuilder sentiment swooned this month despite the passage of a major federal housing law designed to boost construction, as high costs and economic uncertainty continued to weigh on the industry. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes dropped to 34 this month, down from a revised 36 in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index released on Wednesday.
Foreclosures Jump 21% in First Half of the Year, and Florida Leads the Nation Original
Foreclosures continued to climb in the first half of the year, approaching levels that haven't been seen since 2019, and Florida is leading the nation. In the first six months of 2026, there were more than 227,000 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings, up 21% from the same period last year, according to real estate data and analytics provider ATTOM. Nationally, that equates to foreclosures on just 0.16% of all homes.
Kevin Warsh Blames High Mortgage Rates on Hot Inflation as He Declares a ‘New Chapter’ for the Fed Original
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh acknowledged elevated mortgage rates are holding back the housing market, as he delivered his first congressional testimony since taking office in May. "The economy is solid. Financial markets look like they're in very good condition. But when we look at housing markets, the story is much more uneven," Warsh said in a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.
Fed Officials Are Deeply Divided Over Future Direction of Interest Rates
Federal Reserve officials are deeply divided in their opinions on whether interest rates are likely to go up or down in the coming months, newly released meeting minutes show. Minutes from the June meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, which marked the first policy meeting under new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh, show there were starkly opposing camps on the rate-setting panel.
Collapse Fears Spur Evacuation at Midtown Manhattan Building Undergoing Conversion to Luxury Apartments
A full evacuation has been ordered at a building in Midtown Manhattan that is undergoing conversion from office space to luxury apartments, after signs of structural weakness prompted fears of a building collapse. A New York City Fire Department official told Realtor.com that the department responded to reports of falling bricks at 235 East 42nd Street at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Officials say construction workers on the 21st floor of the building saw the columns beginning to collapse.
Fed officials are deeply divided over future direction of interest rates
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Fed Officials Are Deeply Divided Over Future Direction of Interest Rates Original
Federal Reserve officials are deeply divided in their opinions on whether interest rates are likely to go up or down in the coming months, newly released meeting minutes show. Minutes from the June meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, which marked the first policy meeting under new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh, show there were starkly opposing camps on the rate-setting panel.
Collapse Fears Spur Evacuation at Midtown Manhattan Building Undergoing Conversion to Luxury Apartments
Follow Collapse Fears Spur Evacuation at Midtown Manhattan Building Undergoing Conversion to Luxury Apartments Tue, July 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Collapse Fears Spur Evacuation at Midtown Manhattan Building Undergoing Conversion to Luxury Apartments
Sorry Based on the information provided, the amount you are seeking to borrow is greater than the equity you have on your property. Please be sure the information you provided is accurate. This determination is based upon information submitted by you, the consumer, and loan products currently available with participating lenders. It is possible you may still qualify for a home equity product. Available loan products and loan eligibility can vary based on market and other factors.
Alan Greenspan, Fed Chairman During Boom Years Prior to Subprime Mortgage Crisis, Dies at 100
Alan Greenspan, the long serving Federal Reserve chairman who oversaw years of prosperity leading up to the subprime mortgage crisis, has died. He was 100. Greenspan's wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, confirmed his death in a statement shared with her outlet on Monday, saying he had died in their home in Washington, DC.
Deadly Surfside Condo Collapse Stemmed From Flaws Dating Back to 1981, Probe Finds Original
The deadly partial collapse of a condominium building in Surfside, FL, was rooted in severe design and construction flaws dating all the way back to 1981, a federal probe has revealed. A total of 98 people died when the Champlain Towers South condo collapsed on June 24, 2021, making the tragedy one of the worst structural failures in U.S. history.
Alan Greenspan, Fed Chairman During Boom Years Prior to Subprime Mortgage Crisis, Dies at 100 Original
Alan Greenspan, the long serving Federal Reserve chairman who oversaw years of prosperity leading up to the subprime mortgage crisis, has died. He was 100. Greenspan's wife of 29 years, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell, confirmed his death in a statement shared with her outlet on Monday, saying he had died in their home in Washington, DC. “Alan passed away at our home this morning at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson’s disease,” Mitchell said in a statement.
Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady in Unanimous Vote Under New Chairman Kevin Warsh
Federal Reserve policymakers have voted to leave interest rates steady, as rising inflation made it impossible for new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh to deliver the lower rates that President Donald Trump has demanded. Warsh, who was Trump's pick to replace Jerome Powell, joined the unanimous 12-0 vote in favor of leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting in Washington, DC.
Kevin Warsh Era of Fed 'Regime Change' Begins, but Rates Expected To Remain Steady
Federal Reserve policymakers began their two-day meeting to set interest rate policy on Tuesday, marking the first vote overseen by Kevin Warsh. Warsh, who called for "regime change" at the central bank, has already issued his first major shift by reverting his title to "Fed Chairman," rather than the "Fed Chair" title preferred by his predecessors Jerome Powell and Janet Yellen.
Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady in Unanimous Vote Under New Chairman Kevin Warsh Original
Federal Reserve policymakers have voted to leave interest rates steady, as rising inflation made it impossible for new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh to deliver the lower rates that President Donald Trump has demanded. Warsh, who was Trump's pick to replace Jerome Powell, joined the unanimous 12-0 vote in favor of leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting in Washington, DC.
Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady in Unanimous Vote Under New Chairman Kevin Warsh
Federal Reserve policymakers have voted to leave interest rates steady, as rising inflation made it impossible for new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh to deliver the lower rates that President Donald Trump has demanded. Warsh, who was Trump's pick to replace Jerome Powell, joined the unanimous 12-0 vote in favor of leaving the federal funds rate unchanged at Wednesday's meeting in Washington, DC.
The Typical Home Will Cost a Million Dollars as Millennials Hit Retirement, Economist Says Original
The median U.S. home price will likely hit $1 million around the year 2050, when the millennial generation is hitting the traditional age of retirement, a top housing economist has predicted. "Essentially, in about 25 years the national median home price will be a million dollars," Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors®, said at a conference in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.
Kevin Warsh Era of Fed ‘Regime Change’ Begins, but Rates Expected To Remain Steady Original
Federal Reserve policymakers began their two-day meeting to set interest rate policy on Tuesday, marking the first vote overseen by Kevin Warsh. Warsh, who called for "regime change" at the central bank, has already issued his first major shift by reverting his title to "Fed Chairman," rather than the "Fed Chair" title preferred by his predecessors Jerome Powell and Janet Yellen.
Compass Says Washington State’s Ban on Private Listings Doesn’t Forbid Its ‘Private Exclusives’ Original
Brokerage giant Compass has said that a strict new Washington state law that prohibits private listings does not apply to properties marketed across its network of agents as "Private Exclusives" or "Coming Soon." The new law, which Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed in March, took effect on Thursday.
Compass Faces Antitrust Probe in New York After Megamerger With Anywhere
Brokerage giant Compass is facing an investigation by the antitrust division of the New York State Attorney General's Office after combining with rival Anywhere Real Estate earlier this year. Compass in January closed its $1.6 billion megamerger with Anywhere, expanding its network of agents and independent sales associates to about 340,000 globally. Compass was already the largest U.S. real estate brokerage, and Anywhere was the second largest.
Compass Faces Antitrust Probe in New York After Megamerger With Anywhere Original
Brokerage giant Compass is facing an investigation by the antitrust division of the New York State Attorney General's Office after combining with rival Anywhere Real Estate earlier this year. Compass in January closed its $1.6 billion megamerger with Anywhere, expanding its network of agents and independent sales associates to about 340,000 globally. Compass was already the largest U.S. real estate brokerage, and Anywhere was the second largest.
Lower Asking Prices Are the Silver Lining for Buyers in an Otherwise Cloudy Market
Asking prices continued to fall nationally this week, providing good news to homebuyers in a market that is otherwise clouded by rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. The national median asking price for active listings was down 2.4% for the week ending May 23, compared to a year earlier, according to the Realtor.com® economic research team's weekly market update. It marked the 19th straight week of year-over-year price declines, the longest such streak in at least a decade.
Mortgage Applications for Refinancing Drop 18% as Interest Rates Rise
Mortgage refinancing activity pulled back sharply this week, as higher interest rates put a damper on refi originations. The Mortgage Bankers Association's refinance index dropped 18% for the week ending May 22, compared to a week earlier. The group estimates that average 30-year fixed mortgage rates rose to 6.65% for the same period, up from 6.56% a week earlier.
Lower Asking Prices Are the Silver Lining for Buyers in an Otherwise Cloudy Market Original
Asking prices continued to fall nationally this week, providing good news to homebuyers in a market that is otherwise clouded by rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty. The national median asking price for active listings was down 2.4% for the week ending May 23, compared to a year earlier, according to the Realtor.com® economic research team's weekly market update. It marked the 19th straight week of year-over-year price declines, the longest such streak in at least a decade.
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