The Lede

Fast Company Magazine, July 23, 2018--Megan RidgewayAs a future where there are vastly fewer cars becomes possible, we should consider future-proofing new parking lots to make sure they can easily transition into other uses once they're no longer needed.

Commercial Observer, July 23, 2018--Allison StatemanCalifornia is a state prone to natural disasters from earthquakes and mudslides to wildfires. In addition to myriad other effects, this has become a real estate concern.

HousingWire, July 20, 2018--Alcynna LloydThe Rent Relief Act, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and endorsed by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., aims to create a new, refundable tax credit, that "puts more money in the pockets" of families, especially at a time when rent prices are outpacing wage growth.

American Banker, July 23, 2018--Andy Peters (subscription)Flush with capital and anxious about the impact of rising interest rates on monthly loan payments, more commercial real estate investors than ever are paying off their bank loans before they mature.

National Real Estate Investor, July 24, 2018--Patricia KirkWhile new office construction has been robust so far in 2018, next year developers might begin pulling back, according to David Bitner, head of Americas capital markets research with Cushman & Wakefield. He cited rising construction costs, concerns about the end of the real estate cycle and zoning issues as the reasons.

Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2018--Esther Fung (subscription)Chinese investors have become net sellers of U.S. commercial real estate for the first time in a decade, reversing a years-long trend when these buyers spent tens of billions of dollars and helped boost the market for hotels and other properties.

Strong new issuance volume and continued resolution activity contributed to the second consecutive month of decline in the commercial mortgage-backed securities delinquency rate last month, reported Fitch Ratings, New York.

Rents for U.S. single-family rental assets increased 2.9 percent year-over-year in April, up from 2.6 percent a year ago, reported CoreLogic, Irvine, Calif.

U.S. office markets posted "solid" performance in the second quarter with steady leasing volumes, healthy absorption and rising asking rents.

The Senate meets today to vote on key appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2019. Ahead of its session, the Mortgage Bankers Association asked approval of key provisions that support FHA and Ginnie Mae technology upgrades, as well as safeguards for multifamily loans and other funding priorities.

Commercial and multifamily developments and activities from MBA relevant to your business and our industry.

The Mortgage Bankers Association, in a letter to federal regulatory agencies, requested the agencies provide final rules stemming from their proposal to simplify certain aspects of their capital rules.