More Trump Housing Shake Up

Big changes are rolling through the housing market, and—surprise, surprise—it’s got a lot to do with politics. Trump’s latest moves are shaking things up, and whether you’re trying to buy, sell, or just figure out why home prices never seem to go down, these changes could affect you.

First up, new tariffs on building materials. The government just slapped higher taxes on things like lumber, steel, and aluminum from Canada, China, and Mexico. Now, I’m no economist, but when the stuff you build houses with gets more expensive, houses tend to get more expensive, too. Builders are already begging for exemptions, but for now, the cost of new homes could be heading up.

Then there’s the big shake-up in mortgage rules. Trump gave the boot to the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which basically oversees how banks hand out mortgages. The plan? Loosen up the rules. This could mean getting approved for a home loan gets easier, which is great if you’ve got less-than-perfect credit. But we’ve seen this game before—less oversight can lead to banks getting a little too friendly with their lending like in the 2006 era.

And then there was the “whoops” moment with housing grants. A memo went out saying federal housing funds were frozen, which sent people into a panic—until the administration walked it back and said, "Nah, just kidding!" Nothing actually changed, but it was a reminder that government decisions can swing the market fast.

So, what’s the takeaway? Prices might go up because of tariffs, but getting a mortgage might get easier. The market is shifting, but here’s what I believe: if you know what’s going on and stay flexible, you’ll always have an edge. Whether that means jumping in before prices climb or locking in a loan while lending is loose, the best move is always to stay informed and be ready to roll with the punches—it’s gonna be an interesting ride.