The Lede

Mortgage Orb, Dec. 28, 2018--Patrick BarnardFaced with fierce criticism for its decision, including from the Mortgage Bankers Association, FEMA on Friday reversed course, saying in a statement that "all NFIP insurers have been directed to resume normal operations immediately and advised that the program will be considered operational since December 21, 2018 without interruption."

Urban Institute, Dec. 27, 2018--Sheryl PardoKey issues being monitored by Urban Institute include affordable housing, government regulation under the Trump Administration, the new Congress and alternative credit scoring methodologies.

National Mortgage Professional, Dec. 21, 2018--Phil HallU.S. households spent a record amount on rent in 2018, according to a new data analysis from Zillow company HotPads.

Commercial Property Executive, Jan. 2, 2019--Sanyu KyeyuneDuring the past few years. lenders charted record-high activity across property types and markets. But escalating asset prices, rising interest rates and regulatory shifts may force adjustments in 2019. (Interviews MBA's Jamie Woodwell)

Commercial Observer, Dec. 27, 2018--Nicholas RizziCommercial Observer asked some heavy hitters in commercial real estate to take out their crystal balls and prognosticate on what real estate could look like in 2019.

National Real Estate Investor, Jan. 2, 2019--Bendix AndersonMultifamily borrowers will have lots of choices on where to get permanent loans in the new year despite worries about rising interest rates, high property prices and overbuilding.

MBA NewsLink took a break last week (we hope you did, too); the news, of course, did not. Here's a summary of what happened--and didn't happen--while we were away.

Single-family rental homes are now the largest source of rental housing in America and play an especially important role in rural areas, where they account for two-thirds of the rental housing stock, reported Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.

Each year, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies releases its State of the Nation's Housing report, of which MBA's Research Institute for Housing America is a sponsor.

After several quarters of record-breaking high rents and low vacancies, the industrial real estate sector will likely "pause" soon, said JLL, Chicago. But it said that could be good news for smart owners, investors and occupiers.

Each year, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies releases its State of the Nation's Housing report, of which MBA's Research Institute for Housing America is a sponsor.

Each year, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies releases its State of the Nation's Housing report, of which MBA's Research Institute for Housing America is a sponsor.

Volatility has returned to the markets, but several analysts maintain a positive long-term outlook on the U.S. multifamily market.