David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, took a somewhat more optimistic view, arguing that if Fannie and Freddie were allowed to grow their retained portfolios “there’s no question it will have downward pressure on mortgage rates – probably at least a quarter of a point, maybe more.”
But other economists stressed spreads have already tightened. “Much of the juice appears to have been squeezed,” said Neil Dutta, head of economics at Renaissance Macro Research, cautioning that the incremental impact on rates could be modest.
Bigger affordability picture
The plan also raised balance‑sheet and governance concerns. Drawing heavily on GSE cash cushions intended as a buffer against downturns could leave the system more exposed if the housing market weakened again, analysts said, potentially complicating any future initial public offering of the entities.
Trump’s bond‑buying directive arrived alongside a separate pledge to “ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes,” framed as a way to tilt the market back toward individual buyers.
Institutional landlords still hold only a small share of single‑family rentals nationwide – about 3% as of mid‑2022 – even as investor activity remains a flashpoint in affordability debates.
