Paint News Today — August 26, 2026

Retirees are finding themselves in a tricky financial situation, with a disconnect between their net worth and the cash they have on hand. This is a concern for those who are counting on their assets to support them in retirement. Meanwhile, in the world of mortgage finance, there have been some significant developments. The federal agencies have scrapped some guidance from the Biden era on the Special Purpose Credit Program, which could have implications for lenders and borrowers.

In the housing market, new home sales have slipped again, and builders are holding back despite this. One reason for this caution may be the uncertainty around lending guidelines and regulations. For example, Vishal Garg, the former CEO of Better, is pushing back against claims that he was terminated unfairly, highlighting the ongoing drama in the fintech space. On a more positive note, Carrington has expanded its non-QM lending guidelines, lowering the FICO threshold to 550 and making it easier for some borrowers to qualify for mortgages. These developments all point to a complex and changing landscape in the world of real estate and property finance.

Today's signal:
• Retirees are experiencing a disconnect between net worth, cash on hand (housingwire.com)
• Federal agencies scrap Biden-era SPCP guidance (housingwire.com)
• New home sales slipped again. Why builders are still holding back (housingwire.com)
• Vishal Garg pushes back on Better’s CEO termination claims in court filings (housingwire.com)
• Carrington lowers non-QM threshold to 550 FICO, expands guidelines (housingwire.com)