Today's Market News:
Housing Reform Advances to the House
H.R. 6644, also known as the Housing for the 21st Century Act, is a bipartisan bill introduced in late 2025. It's designed to help prospective home buyers by streamlining HUD programs, modernizing regulations, and accelerating home construction. Recently, the Act passed by a vote of 390-9. This means that the House of Representatives can move forward with this legislation.
In its current form, the bill will require HUD to publish best practices for local zoning reforms, and to create pattern books of pre-reviewed, code-compliant housing designs. These books are intended to speed up issuance of building permits by providing ready-to-use blueprints for common housing types.
HUD may also reclassify many housing activities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to reduce unnecessary federal environmental reviews. It's hoped this will accelerate construction timelines.
HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program may change, expanding eligibility for workforce-income households. It also reforms the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, so communities will address local land uses and review local CDBG funds.
Other sections of the bill improve protections for low-income families and veterans.1
The Death of the McMansion
Remember the big, beige, two-story suburban homes nicknamed McMansions, Garage Mahals and Starter Castles? They were popular 20 years ago, but today's hottest listings are for very different homes.
Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton explained the shift: "Buyers are no longer chasing the biggest footprint or the glossiest finishes. Instead, they're seeking homes that reflect who they are, how they live, and what they value."
Here are some home features drawing more buyers in 2026.
- Less square footage. Buyers want homes that work harder without running up big utility, insurance, and tax bills.
- Homes with purpose-built spaces like reading nooks and relaxation rooms. Popular listings offer quiet, secluded options.
- Color-drenched homes featuring single, saturated hues have jumped 149% within Zillow listings. Buyers will pay more for homes painted in darker shades of olive green, navy blue or charcoal gray. Safe beige interiors are no longer safe.
- Listings with energy-efficient features like whole-home batteries and EV charging stations.
- Relaxing options for self-care and recreation. Homes featuring spa-inspired bathrooms, golf simulators and pickleball courts are rising in popularity.
Listings Up Slightly, Buyers Still Wary
New listings of U.S. homes for sale rose about 1% from a year earlier during the four weeks ending January 25th. This was the first inventory increase in more than two months.
Lower mortgage rates and declining housing costs are encouraging buyers to check out local listings. The median monthly housing payment is down 6.6% from a year ago, and both buyers and sellers who are aware of the market changes are ready to negotiate.
This doesn't mean that buyers are in a rush. The typical home that sold last month took 63 days to go under contract...the longest span in six years.
"Buyers are more serious than they were a few months ago; they're looking at every listing and meticulously comparing the pros and cons of each one," said Connie Durnal, a Redfin Premier agent in Dallas. "Sellers who need to move know they need to be realistic; some are willing to negotiate prices down and make concessions like repairs, especially because they're competing with builders of new construction."3
Buyers Opt for Warmth, Postpone Viewings
The harsh winter storm that recently hit much of the country took its toll on the mortgage market during late January and early February, as many would-be buyers stayed home.
Total mortgage application volume dropped 8.9% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Last week's results included an adjustment for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The average contract interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $832,750 or less, decreased to 6.21% from 6.24%. Points increased slightly to 0.56 from 0.55, including the origination fee, for buyers with 20% down payments.4
How to Charge Your Phone Faster
Wired power sources charge much faster than wireless chargers. For example, if you have a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, you'll get a much faster charging rate (45W) with a wired connection than with a pokey wireless connection charging at 15W. With a cable and a plug, charging is faster, and it's healthier for your battery as well.
Make sure you have the right cable and charger. If your phone didn't include these, check the specs or ask your cell phone provider what they recommended. You then need to find a charger that matches that charging rate, together with a cable that's not going to slow you down.
Don't use your phone while it's charging. If you're scrolling through social media or watching videos, you're slowing down recharging times. Instead, turn off the "always on" display if this is active, as this will help speed things up.
Other ways to speed up charging: put your phone into airplane or low power mode, or turn it off when you're charging. Also, make sure your phone isn't in a hot or cold area. You may also want to check out tips on YouTube about switching off pre-installed apps on your phone — including a few you may not know about.5
Sources: 1nationalmortgageprofessional.com, 2zillow.mediaroom.com, 3redfin.com, 4cnbc.com, 5lifehacker.com
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