ALTA CEO Chris Morton joined Brody Mullins and David Castagnetti on the Inside Influence podcast to spotlight the power of industry advocacy and why it is important for title professionals to tell their stories directly to lawmakers and the public. Morton elevated the critical role ALTA members play in protecting consumers, strengthening the real estate transaction and helping policymakers understand the value of title insurance. The conversation was an opportunity to showcase the title industry’s voice and impact with key advocacy audiences in Washington.

When the Station Fire roared through the Angeles National Forest in 2009, Colleen and Jason Warnesky could see it from the front porch of their Altadena, Calif., home. Eleven years later, the family witnessed the Bobcat Fire from the same spot as it became one of the largest fires in Los Angeles County history.

President Donald Trump is expressing confidence that Congress will be able to pass landmark bipartisan housing legislation despite disagreement between the House and the Senate over certain provisions. The housing legislation has been a point of interchamber contention. Last week, the House released an amended version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, housing legislation that already passed the Senate overwhelmingly, but that lawmakers in the House and several outside stakeholders had big issues with.

Growing concern over the trajectory of the war with Iran has bond yields rising and mortgage rates following suit. The average rate on the 30-year fixed loan rose 7 basis points Tuesday to 6.75%, according to Mortgage News Daily. That is the highest level since July 31. Rates are now up 33 basis points in just the last 10 days and are 46 basis points higher than their recent April low of 6.29%.

House hunters planning to move this summer may not need as much cash for a down payment—a welcome break for buyers finally catching a bit of good luck. A new report from Realtor.com economists shows the median down payment fell to $23,400 in the first quarter of 2026—down 19% from a year earlier and marking the lowest level in four years. The shift signals that buyers don’t necessarily need the biggest down payment to make the winning bid.