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Criticism, crashes, and crises: Revisiting three ghosts of debt ceiling battles past

Dec 5, 2023
There have been about 80 debt ceiling battles since 1960. But those decades of drama have never led to an actual default.
The National Debt Clock shows the increasing U.S. debt, near an IRS office in New York City. When this photo was taken, on July 26, 2011, Congress was one week away from a debt ceiling deadline.
Stan Honda/AFP via Getty Images

How private equity is changing the rental market

Mar 2, 2022
Heather Vogell of ProPublica finds short term-oriented corporate investors are increasingly becoming apartment landlords.
"I think what we're seeing is that these companies are acting in ways that are problematic for tenants to meet their investment goals," said ProPublica reporter Heather Vogell.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Borrowing for second homes to become more expensive

Jan 7, 2022
Demand for vacation homes has crowded out would-be homeowners, but will higher fees make a dent?
Upfront fees for some second-home loans could increase by as much as 3.9% starting in April. Above, beachfront vacation homes in Florida.
felixmizioznikov via Getty Images

Could rental history for loan applicants help boost home ownership?

Sep 15, 2021
Fannie Mae says including loan applicant's rental payment history could help correct past housing inequities.
A house for sale in South Pasadena, California, in April.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Can changing home appraisal language help close the wealth gap?

Jul 27, 2021
Descriptions in appraisal reports can create racial bias and reduce the selling price of a home. Fannie Mae is trying to clamp down on tha
Fannie Mae issued new guidance to appraisers to avoid terms it labeled racially problematic, like “crime-ridden” and “integrated community."
Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

Trump administration ends push to restructure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Jan 15, 2021
A plan to return the mortgage giants to private control was complicated by the pandemic's economic risks.
The headquarters of Fannie Mae in Washington, D.C. Fannie and Freddie Mac will remain under government conservatorship.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Refinancing a mortgage just got more expensive

Dec 4, 2020
A new "adverse market fee" kicked in this week, despite declining interest rates.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

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What you need to know about the Trump plan to set Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac free

Sep 6, 2019
The White House released its plan to end government stewardship of the companies that control half of all mortgages in the U.S.
Freddie Mac headquarters in McLean, Virginia, in 2010.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

What's next for Fannie and Freddie?

Sep 4, 2019
A Trump administration plan for reform is expected soon.
A view of mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae as seen in 2006 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

There's yet another proposal to get the government out of the mortgage-guarantee business

Feb 4, 2019
One of the last big unresolved issues from the financial crisis is what to do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Together with government-owned Ginnie Mae, they own or guarantee more than half the home loans in the country. Fannie and Freddie have been under conservatorship — bascially government protection and control — since 2008, […]
Mortgage finance company Freddie Mac says rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fell below 3% this week. For some people, that's a chance to refinance.
Win McNamee/Getty Images