Special Topics

In our Special Topics series, we look closely at data collected through our National Housing Survey^®, Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey^®, and customized research to explore specific trends, challenges, and opportunities facing consumers and mortgage lenders in today's housing market.

Economic Pessimism Has Lenders Once Again Citing Cost-Cutting as Top Business Priority
July 20, 2023​
Mortgage lenders cited "cost-cutting" as their most important business priority for the second year in a row, according to Fannie Mae's Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey® (MLSS).
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Consumers' Homeownership Aspirations Remain High Despite Higher Home Prices and Interest Rates
June 6, 2023​
Understandably, how people define "living the good life" varies widely from household to household. Many prioritize financial security. Others point to health, location, work-life balance, or meaningful personal relationships.
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Homeowners Increasingly Worried About Ability to Save Money and Make Housing Payments
February 9, 2023​
Over the course of 2022, from April to September, Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey® examined some of the challenges that consumers are facing amid high levels of inflation, including the ability to save money, concerns over being able to pay for necessities, and the topic household debt.
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One-Third of Recent Homebuyers Still Don't 'Shop Around' for Mortgages
November 18, 2022​
For potential homebuyers, obtaining multiple mortgage quotes may not be as exciting as searching for the physical home itself, but research has shown that “shopping around” with different lenders for the best possible mortgage terms can result in significant savings.
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Lenders Discuss Loan Costs and Efficacy of Recent Tech Investments
October 28, 2022​
The mortgage lending industry is in a state of transition as it adjusts to the rapidly risen interest rate environment, inflationary pressure, and a general slowdown of domestic and global economic growth.
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Lenders Cite Cost-Cutting as Top 2022 Business Priority
July 27, 2022​
Mortgage lenders' business priorities shifted significantly this past quarter compared to prior years, according to Fannie Mae's Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey® (MLSS), with cost-cutting now the most frequently cited business priority.
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