Mortgage Rates - Average fixed mortgage rates have declined significantly, with the 30-year fixed rate falling to 6.19% from 6.27% and the 15-year fixed rate decreasing to 5.44% from 5.52%, marking the lowest levels in over a year [2][9] - The decline in borrowing costs is attributed to softer Treasury yields and increased investor expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, potentially stimulating activity in the housing market [2][3][9] - Despite the lower mortgage rates, affordability remains a significant challenge due to persistently high home prices, indicating that a more robust recovery in sales may require further rate cuts or price adjustments [3][9] Corporate Donations - Major technology firms, including Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Google, are under scrutiny for their financial contributions to Donald Trump's $300 million East Wing Project at the White House [4][5][9] - The donations have raised concerns about corporate political influence and transparency, especially as some contributing companies face legal challenges or seek regulatory relief [6][9] - Constitutional lawyers have expressed concerns that private funding of a White House project could violate the Anti-Deficiency Act and create conflicts of interest for the involved corporations [6][9]