07.30.25

Written by Chase Majerus

Capitol Hill, Cautious Optimism, and Celebrity Cash

If housing headlines feel like a tug-of-war between hope and reality—you’re not wrong. This week, we’re seeing movement on Capitol Hill, cautious optimism from lending experts, and (of course) a $63 million real estate flex from Paris Hilton.

Whether you’re eyeing a home purchase, considering a HELOC, or just trying to make sense of market moves, we’ve got your back. Let’s dive into what’s driving housing, finance, and the future of affordability, without putting you to sleep.

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Today's Agenda:

S1L Home Equity Loan

Use Your Home For The Best Future Gains

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, lets you borrow against your home’s available equity. Applying for a HELOC with Synergy One Lending is fast and easy. Our application is fast, easy, and all online. If pre-approved, you’ll be instantly presented with your offer options.

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Affordable Housing Might Finally Pay Off—for Everyone

(from CNBC.com)

Affordable housing has long been labeled too expensive and too complicated to build—but that may be changing. Thanks to expanded tax credits and growing investor demand, some developers say the math is finally starting to make sense.

Key Points:

  • The U.S. is short about 10 million affordable housing units, especially rentals
  • Developers blame high land/labor costs, strict zoning, and rising NIMBYism
  • A new tax bill just expanded the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by 12%, giving developers more incentive and flexibility
  • Between 2026–2035, changes could help produce or preserve 1 million+ affordable rental homes
  • Investor interest is growing fast, Jonathan Rose Companies just closed a $660M impact fund for mixed-income housing
  • A new bipartisan Senate bill is also aiming to remove regulatory barriers and fund infrastructure for communities building more homes.
  • Still, resistance remains strong: Even partially affordable buildings face neighborhood pushback

With new legislation and private capital aligning, affordable housing may finally become a real opportunity, for developers, investors, and renters.

Read more here

Major Manor

Paris Bought Marky Mark's House, and Made LA Real Estate Hot Again

(from CNBC.com)

Paris Hilton just dropped $63 million on Mark Wahlberg’s former Beverly Hills estate, and the move is heating up LA’s ultra-luxury market. The sale was the most expensive in June and helped reignite high-end buyer activity across the city.

Highlights of the home:

  • 30,500 square feet of living space
  • Originally listed for $87.5M
  • Includes a resort-style pool, golf driving range, and full-size sports court
  • Mediterranean-style architecture with 12 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms
  • Sits on over 6 acres in North Beverly Park
  • Previously sold for $55M before LA’s mansion tax deadline

With LA topping Redfin’s list of most expensive homes sold last month, luxury buyers are clearly back, and spending big. Paris didn’t just buy a mansion, she helped put Beverly Hills real estate back in the headlines.

Read more here

Social Space

Our Top Social Links of the week

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Who wants to own a home anyway? – Watch here!

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Boy Meets World: House Prices vs. Income – Watch here!

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Standup: How is any young person ever gonna own a home?? – Watch here!

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Lifestyle upgrade ideas for homeowners – Watch here!

Financial Fitness

Is a HELOC Smart Right Now? Here's Why It Might Be, Especially with Synergy One Lending

Your home might be the key to unlocking the cash you need, without touching your current mortgage rate.

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets you borrow against the equity you’ve built in your home and access funds only when you need them. For home improvements, consolidating high-interest debt, or even covering tuition or medical expenses, it can be a flexible, lower-cost solution.

And right now, it’s a solution worth considering.

Here’s the deal: HELOCs typically come with lower rates than credit cards or personal loans, and you only pay interest on what you borrow. Plus, many lenders now offer interest-only payments during the draw period, making it easier to manage monthly cash flow while you work through a remodel, payoff plan, or other big-ticket expense.

Of course, it’s not all upside. HELOCs usually have variable interest rates, meaning your payments can increase if rates rise. And because your home is the collateral, it’s critical to borrow responsibly and have a repayment plan in place. But when used smartly, a HELOC can actually boost your credit mix and long-term financial flexibility.

That’s where Synergy One Lending comes in. We’ll help you understand how much equity you can access, walk you through repayment options, and structure a HELOC that works with your goals, not against them. We’ve helped homeowners tap into their equity with confidence, clarity, and a game plan.

So whether you’re looking to renovate, consolidate, or just get ahead, it might be time to stop waiting and start using your home to your advantage.

Start your HELOC strategy today with Synergy One Lending

Let’s put your home to work, in a way that makes financial sense.

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Digital financial assistant at your fingertips

S1 FinFit is a FREE app that provides a roadmap to help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals, no matter how big or small! Free credit monitoring with alerts, set financial goals, create budgets, and keep track of your spending to see where your money is going.

Download the app on the appropriate app store with the links below!

Keychain

The ROAD to Housing Act Is Rolling Toward the Senate Floor

(from Housingwire.com)

A rare moment of bipartisanship is giving housing policy a real shot at progress. The “Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025”, aka the ROAD to Housing Act, just cleared a key Senate Banking Committee markup and is headed for the Senate floor.

Co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the bill tackles everything from housing supply and affordability to modernizing outdated federal programs.

Support is pouring in from trade groups like the National Association of REALTORS, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the National Consumer Law Center. While they’re pushing for revisions to provisions like appraisal dispute processes and rural lending rules, most agree it’s a strong starting point.

The bill also includes a permanent disaster relief program and new protections for low-income homeowners and borrowers. It’s not perfect, but it’s promising—and in today’s political climate, that’s a win.

Read more here

Will Rates Drop in August? Don’t Hold Your Breath

(from CBSnews.com)

Mortgage rates have hovered in the high 6% range for most of 2025, and despite hope that relief is around the corner, August probably won’t be the month it happens. Lending experts say the Fed is still in wait-and-see mode as it battles inflation, reacts to tariff uncertainty, and keeps a cautious eye on the job market.

While some analysts expect a rate cut in September, that’s far from guaranteed. And timing the market could backfire, if rates do drop, expect competition and prices to heat back up fast. In other words: buying now could mean less rate, more house.

Control what you can. Lock in what works for your budget, and if rates do fall later this year, refinancing is always on the table.

Read more here

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