Real Estate News 02/04/2026

Salt Lake City tops Redfin’s list of America’s most neighborly cities, with Portland and Kansas City close behind, as volunteerism, community ties and relative affordability shape where neighbors still show up for one another.

In The News:

Redfin News – “Redfin’s Most Neighborly Cities of 2026: Salt Lake City, Portland and Kansas City Top the List“ (01-28-2026)

“From Utah to California to North Carolina, Redfin ranked the 10 most neighborly places in the U.S. Here are the top cities where residents socialize and neighbors lend each other a helping hand.”

AP News –“Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns” (01-28-2026)

“Rent can eat up an entire paycheck at the start of the month, so a growing number of renters are turning to a financial product that promises relief by letting them split the bill — for a price.”

CNBC –“How much equity do you need for a reverse mortgage?” (02-03-2026)

“Homeowners over 62 typically need 50% to 60% in home equity to take out a reverse mortgage.”

NPR –“Privatizing Fannie Mae is risky. Would it be a win for taxpayers or Trump's donors?“ (02-03-2026)

“After a turbulent first year of President Trump's return to the White House, 2026 could bring something singularly disruptive in the housing and mortgage markets: a partial sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-controlled mortgage giants that underpin roughly 70% of U.S. home loans.”

CNN Business –“Trump made his Fed pick. But which Kevin Warsh will show up?“ (02-02-2026)

“In June 2008, inflation was running hot — well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target — as oil prices surged. But there was another problem: a subprime housing crisis fueled by toxic mortgage assets. The crisis was so severe that Wall Street investment bank Bear Stearns had collapsed just three months earlier.”