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A more clearly-defined government role and a framework of countercyclical policy tools to protect homebuyers—and the overall economy—during downturns and recessions, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

With a new administration about to begin, much of the talk in the industry centers on how to raise the homeownership rate, which is near a historic low. Opinions vary as to what the homeownership rate will do in 2017, however.

In 2017, more than a million consumers could see improved access to credit, as well as better loan terms, with the help of a new innovation launched late last year.

As home price appreciation continues to outpace wage growth, housing affordability may suffer, especially among millennials.

The number of underwater homeowners nationwide has been steadily declining since 2012 as home prices have appreciated, but not all demographics have been equally affected, according to one analysis.

By any measure, consumers have great expectations for the U.S. economy in the coming year. What is driving the optimism?

The low interest rate environment, which has been the Fed’s mode of operation for much of the last decade, has been instrumental in stabilizing the U.S. financial system. But if it continues, it could adversely affect financial institutions, according to a Fed Governor.

While consumer confidence rose in December to its highest point since 2001, confidence in homebuying dipped for the fifth consecutive month.

Based on house price value growth and strengthening local economies, most of the hottest real estate markets for 2017 will be between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast, according to one analysis.

Eight years has made all the difference in several single-family housing markets that were affected most by the recession. Many of these markets now rank among the healthiest, one analysis reported.