HousingWire Daily Clayton Collins on the biggest stories of 2025
Dec 29, 2025
Clayton Collins, CEO of HousingWire and expert on mortgage and real estate markets, shares his insights on the biggest housing stories from 2025. He discusses the significant impact of mortgage rates and borrowing costs, as well as Fannie Mae's FICO changes that stirred industry interest. The conversation also explores Florida's property tax proposal, Texas housing affordability, and how climate risks are affecting buyer decisions. Looking ahead to 2026, Collins expresses cautious optimism about market stability and growth.
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Fannie Mae FICO Change Mattered
- Fannie Mae's change to include minimum FICO requirements in DU became the top-single story because it affects origination costs and access to credit.
- Clayton Collins and Sarah Wheeler note credit score costs haven't fallen despite new competition and more shopping increases pulls and costs.
Shopping Borrowers Raise Origination Costs
- Lenders are running more credit pulls because borrowers shop multiple lenders, raising origination costs.
- That behavior offsets any price competition among score providers, so consumer access remains constrained.
Affordability Now Beyond Rates
- Rising property taxes and insurance added materially to homeowners' monthly costs in 2025, shifting affordability debates beyond mortgage rates.
- Clayton Collins highlights Florida as a flashpoint where tax proposals triggered national interest.