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.

'Lock-in Effect' Not the Only Reason for Housing Supply Woes
October 30, 2023​
Fannie Mae National Housing Survey® findings indicate that there is more to the decline in existing homes for sale than just the lock-in effect.
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Mortgage Lenders Cite Operational Efficiency as Primary Motivation for AI Adoption
October 4, 2023​
In 2018, Fannie Mae surveyed senior mortgage executives to better understand lenders' views on AI/ML. This year, we re-surveyed mortgage lenders to assess how their views and experiences may have changed.
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Workplace Flexibility May Help Address Affordability Concerns
August 30, 2023​
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted many aspects of everyday life, perhaps few more markedly than where we choose to work and live.
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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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