Senate Confirms Scott Turner as HUD Secretary, Court Backs Kentucky’s Zillow Fees, Report Homeownership More Affordable Than Renting

1 Credits

Scott Turner as HUD Secretary

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Scott Turner as the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 55-44 vote took place on Wednesday, with only two Democrats—Senators Peter Welch and John Fetterman—supporting Turner. Turner, a former NFL player, served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council under the Trump administration and previously worked in the Texas legislature.

In his confirmation hearing, Turner emphasized the country’s growing housing crisis and the need for urgent action to combat homelessness. He also called HUD “broken” and stressed the importance of getting its workforce back to the office. Turner, who played for the Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, and San Diego Chargers, is now the Trump administration’s only Black cabinet member, a role previously held by Ben Carson.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment has expressed support for working with Turner to improve affordable housing and community development nationwide.

Source: Link

Court Backs Kentucky’s Zillow Fees

A key ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Kentucky’s right to charge Zillow higher fees for access to real estate records, siding with state and local officials in a dispute over Kentucky’s Open Records Act. The court found that charging commercial requesters, like Zillow, enhanced fees for public records doesn’t violate the First or Fourteenth Amendments.

In its decision, the court emphasized that the distinction between commercial and non-commercial purposes is based on whether the requester expects to profit, not the content created. Zillow, which uses tax-assessment data for its free home sales database, had challenged the higher fees, arguing they were unconstitutional. The court disagreed, noting that the statute does not consider the content of the requestor’s speech.

However, the ruling also saved an exemption for news organizations, which now remain free from the enhanced fees.

Judge Boggs dissented, arguing that the commercial/non-commercial distinction is content-based and should face stricter scrutiny under the First Amendment.

Source: Link

Report Homeownership More Affordable Than Renting

A new report reveals that owning a home is now more affordable than renting a three-bedroom property in the majority of U.S. markets. According to ATTOM’s 2025 Rental Affordability Report, owning a home consumes a smaller portion of wages than renting in more than 60% of counties. However, both options remain a financial stretch for many Americans, with homeownership often requiring 25 to 60% of wages.

While home prices have risen faster than rents in most areas, the report highlights that owning a home is still the more affordable option—if buyers can manage the hefty down payments. The Midwest and South offer the best prospects for affordable homeownership, while renting remains more affordable in the West.

ATTOM’s CEO, Rob Barber, notes that the situation remains precarious, especially if mortgage rates continue to rise, but for now, homeownership remains the more viable choice for many.

 

About “3 Things You Need to Know” on OnTrack Agent.

3 Things You Need to Know” delivers concise, no-nonsense real estate news, ensuring that agents stay informed and ahead of the curve.

Stripping away editorial commentary, the show focuses on the key developments shaping the real estate industry and the broader U.S. economy.

Whether it’s market trends, legislative changes, or economic shifts, each episode distills the most important information into easily digestible segments.

Designed specifically for real estate professionals, “3 Things You Need to Know” equips agents with the insights they need to make informed decisions and thrive in a competitive landscape.

Stay connected to the pulse of the industry with timely updates that matter each weekday, Monday through Friday.

 

3 Things You Need to Know – Copyright 2025 – OnTrack Agent

Buy Now

---