HousingWire Daily The DOJ vs. the Fed, plus inventory and mortgage rates
Jan 13, 2026
Logan Mohtashami, a leading analyst on housing market trends and mortgage data, joins to explore the DOJ's investigation into the Federal Reserve. He discusses how the timing of Fed subpoenas affected mortgage-backed security purchases and rates. The duo dives into the significant drop in inventory growth and what that means for the housing market. They also predict a shift in trends for Spring 2025, highlighting how lower mortgage rates can boost demand while maintaining healthy inventory levels.
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Funny Hair, Serious Market Take
- Logan jokes about his 'Johnny Bravo' hair while explaining he posted a video on Powell and MBS timing.
- He uses that video to illustrate his belief in coordination between MBS purchases and subpoenas.
Markets Look Past Fed Headline Risk
- Logan Mohtashami argues the Fed-related subpoenas and MBS purchases were coordinated to influence mortgage rates.
- He sees mortgage rates hitting near three-year lows despite headline risk around Powell.
Political Noise May Not Upend Fed Timing
- Sarah Wheeler and Logan note subpoenas could delay choosing a new Fed chair but markets expect a quick resolution.
- Political noise may not change policy timing unless the White House intervenes.