Homeownership remains a challenge as average mortgage rates hover north of 7%, home prices refuse to ease and an inventory shortage locks out buyers.Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the cost-of-living crisis to pursue action to "lower the cost of housing and expand housing supply.

On the campaign trail, Trump promised to bring down mortgage rates and make housing affordable again. His policies could do the opposite.

The Fed is tapping the brakes on interest rate cuts because inflation remains stubbornly high. That's pushed mortgage rates higher.

Mortgage rates have more than doubled from recent lows in 2021. They're not poised to fall much any time soon, economists said.

Mortgage rates are back above 7%, and that’s slowing an already sluggish housing market with potential buyers choosing to wait on the sidelines to start the year. Home sales have stalled in January, down 10% in the most recent week compared to a year ago,