Category: Top National News

National Mortgage News, June 8, 2018–Brad Finkelstein, Austin Kilgore (free story)”I will come in with a fresh set of eyes and ears and listen to the concerns of our members and respond accordingly,” Robert Broeksmit said. Still, “I am coming into the MBA when it is as strong as it’s ever been, and not coming in anticipating that there are substantive immediate changes that need to be made.”

The Hill, June 7, 2018–John BowdenA plan being pushed by HUD Secretary Ben Carson would raise rents on Americans receiving federal assistance by 20 percent on average in metropolitan areas around the country, according to a new study.

Forbes, June 12, 2018–Ted Knutsen2018 won’t be as strong of a year for commercial and multifamily real estate investments as 2017, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicted in an annual report released today.

Wall Street Journal, June 12, 2018–Esther Fung (subscription)The mergers-and-acquisition bug has hit the real-estate investment trust industry, the long-anticipated result of the discounts that REIT stocks have been trading at compared with the private-market valuations of their properties.

Forbes, June 4, 2018–Brad Thomas CoStar Managing Director Hans Nordby said publicly traded real estate investment trusts are “substantially” cheaper than private real estate. “Clearly, there is a disconnect. Either REITs are too cheap, which could represent a buying opportunity, or conversely, private real estate could be too expensive, in which case property owners would be well served to sell, to avoid losses.”

National Real Estate Investor, June 5, 2018–Bendix Anderson Rising interest rates are already making a difference for apartment properties. Borrowers can no longer secure the large permanent loans that have become used to.

HousingWire, June 1, 2018–Jeremiah JensenAll signs point to a multifamily market that is cementing into stable growth. Rents are rising at a more sustainable rate than they have in recent years; capital is flowing into the industry; construction is tapering off to a sustainable level; and demand is strong.

NPR, May 31, 2018–Bill ChappelSears Holdings Corp., which controls Sears and Kmart, says it has “identified approximately 100 non-profitable stores, 72 of which will begin store closing sales in the near future,” in the latest sign of the retailer’s struggles to stay afloat.

MarketWatch, May 29, 2018–Peter MoriciThe spring home-buying season is in full swing, but the landscape has changed a lot from last year. Congress curtailed tax incentives to purchase a home, mortgage rates are up and homes are more expensive. Yet buying a home is still better than renting for many.

National Mortgage Professional, May 29, 2018–Phil Hall Builder confidence in the multifamily remained solid as inventory grew slightly in the first quarter, according to a pair of data reports.