An update on real estate news from Washington.

NAR made its case for for mandatory credit score disclosure at a public forum on credit scoring hosted by the FTC in late July. Also, proposed expanding Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s affordable housing goals and consumers in disaster-prone areas aren’t able to get homeowners insurance.

The costs related to housing--utilities and furnishings, as well as the mortgage or rent-increased almost imperceptibly as a percentage of average household spending over the 10-year period ending in 1997. Mortgage and rent costs increased the most, but cheaper housekeeping supplies helped keep total housing costs from going up much.

Housing as percent of household...

RealSelect has filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of stock. RealSelect manages and operates REALTOR.COM, the official NAR Web site.