Multi-Housing News, May 30, 2019–Jeffrey SteeleAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association, commercial and multifamily mortgage bankers closed a record $574 billion of mortgages in 2018. Of that total, commercial bank and savings institutions made up the largest investor group, responsible for $174 billion.
Category: Top National News
Blackstone Starts Selling Out of Home-Rental Empire
Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2019–Ryan Dezember (subscription)The private-equity firm late Tuesday sold more than $1 billion of shares of Invitation Homes Inc., the giant single-family home landlord it launched following the financial crisis in a wager that many Americans would be willing to rent the suburban lifestyle they could no longer afford to own.
Four Ways The Trade Wars Are Undermining Commercial Real Estate
Forbes, June 4, 2019–Jeff LevinHere are four ways the trade wars have affected commercial real estate markets across the country and how the industry can address them.
Not All Lenders are Equally Prepared for LIBOR Change
Mortgage Professional America, June 5, 2019–Steve RandallThere is a fair amount of uncertainty about the mechanics of the transition away from LIBOR and an overall hesitation as many firms wait for others to lead the way, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.
The Mall Meltdown Continues
Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2019–Elizabeth Winkler (subscription)Mall-based retailers reported dismal earnings last week, reminding investors of the sector’s fundamental problems.
2019 Rising Star: Amber Lawrence
HousingWire, June 3, 2019Amber Lawrence is associate director of education operations and programming at the Mortgage Bankers Association. As a core member of the organization’s education leadership team, Lawrence manages its professional certification and designation programs. Working alongside the CMB Leadership Society, Lawrence currently oversees the curriculum of more than 730 active CMBs.
Rise of New Hotel Brands Irks Some Property Owners
Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2019–Aisha Al-Muslim (subscription)Major hotel companies are introducing new brands at a rapid pace, a strategy that can boost revenue but one that risks confusing guests and alienating hotel owners.
Builders Less Confident in Multifamily Market
National Mortgage Professional, May 24, 2019–Phil HallBuilder confidence in the market for new multifamily housing frayed during the first quarter, according to the latest Multifamily Market Survey released by the National Association of Home Builders.
Private Equity Real Estate Fund Managers Face Growing Pressure on Yields
National Real Estate Investor, May 28, 2019–Beth Mattson-TeigPrivate equity real estate funds have enjoyed robust fundraising in recent years, resulting in record high levels of assets under management. Yet fund managers are bracing for more challenges ahead that could cause them to lower target yields.
Stock Investors Sound Alarm About New York’s Office Market
Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2019–Konrad Putzier (subscription)Property investors around the globe have been bidding up the price of Manhattan office towers for years. Now, the stock market is signaling they have pushed up values too far.