When Washington shuts down, it doesn’t just freeze politics. A shutdown also affects the housing market. Home buyers face stalled loan approvals, sellers juggle delayed closing dates, and furloughed federal employees are left wondering how to make the next month’s mortgage payment. The ripple effects can be felt everywhere, from rural towns waiting on USDA loans to the high-priced neighborhoods surrounding the nation’s capital. When key housing programs stop, deals stall The most immediate impact on the ...