Trump’s Latest Housing Move Promises Major Relief, but Which Buyers Will Actually Save Thousands?

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at housing affordability. The multipart order runs the gamut, touching on everything from manufactured housing to permitting to direct the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs to reduce interest rates on their direct single-family loan programs to adjusting closing cost fees paid by certain homeowners. The latter has lenders and buyers buzzing, as a cut to closing costs could mean the difference of thousands of dollars when it comes to down payments. But while the math works out for some, it’s important to recognize some of the serious caveats as well. Breaking down the mathTrump’s order includes several different regulations: one targeting mortgage insurance and another lender's title insurance for low-risk refinancing loans.The latest down payment report from Realtor.com® shows that the national median down payment in the second quarter of 2026 climbed to $27,100, or 13.7% of the typical purchase price, up from 12.9% at the start of the year. On an annual basis, however, the typical down payment fell from 14.3% year over year, recording the lowest second-quarter level since 2021Homebuyers who pay less than a 2...