What Trump's New Housing Executive Order Means for You

A recent executive order aimed at housing affordability fell short of industry expectations, but a few key provisions could still benefit homebuyers and refinancers down the road.

There was a lot of anticipation around a new executive order on housing affordability, but the final result was more modest than many in the mortgage world were hoping for. That said, there are a couple of provisions worth paying attention to if you're a homeowner or prospective buyer in California.

First, there's a proposed pilot program that would allow private mortgage insurance (PMI) to be automatically canceled once your loan-to-value ratio drops to a qualifying level — without you having to request it. For buyers putting less than 20% down, PMI is an added monthly cost that can really add up. If this pilot moves forward, it could save eligible homeowners hundreds of dollars per year.

Second, a title insurance waiver pilot for refinances — originally launched in 2024 — is being pushed for full implementation. This could meaningfully reduce closing costs for homeowners looking to refinance, which is great news given how sensitive borrowers are to upfront costs in today's rate environment.

Unfortunately, there were no changes to FHA mortgage insurance premiums, which remain a burden for many first-time buyers.

The bottom line: progress is slow, but these small moves could add up to real savings. If you're wondering how these changes might affect your home purchase or refinance strategy, reach out to us today — we're here to help you navigate every detail.