Wall Street Journal, Jan. 9, 2018–Esther Fung (subsciption)A rash of store closures and bankruptcies last year prompted some investors to bet against debt tied to the retail property sector. So far, at least, the bets haven’t paid off.
Category: Top National News
The Money Source and Endeavor America to Rebrand as TMS
National Mortgage Professional, Jan. 9, 2018The Money Source has announced that wholesale lender Endeavor America Loan Services has folded into its parent company, creating a unified and streamlined brand, now called TMS, in support of all of its lines of business.
6 Critical Questions as Housing Finance Reform Heats Up
National Mortgage News, Jan. 9, 2018–Ian McKendry (subscription)The Senate Banking Committee is expected to soon release a bipartisan bill that would significantly reshape the housing finance market, but key issues remain unresolved.
What the Tax Law Will Do to Bank Earnings
Wall Street Journal, Jan. 10, 2018–Michael Rapoport (subscription)It is going to be a noisy quarter for bank earnings. Because of the tax-overhaul law, big banks are going to record a host of special charges that cut into fourth-quarter profit.
Subprime Share Up as Mortgage Originations Fall
Mortgage Daily, Jan. 9, 2018Equifax reported although volume of mortgages closed has fallen, the share that are considered subprime has inched higher. Home-equity originations have strengthened.
Mortgage Credit Tightens to 5-Month Low
Mortgage Daily, Jan. 9, 2018After easing to the loosest levels since the financial crisis, credit conditions in real estate finance contracted to the tightest level in five months, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.
Realtors, Licking Their Wounds, Get Ready for Their Next Battle
Wall Street Journal, Jan. 9, 2018–Laura Kusisto (subscription)The National Association of Realtors, one of the largest and wealthiest lobby groups in the U.S., emerged from the recent tax overhaul hobbled and humbled. Now, the coming debate over the government’s role in backing mortgages for most Americans will test whether it can regain some of its clout in Washington politics.
Rising Equity Helps Appraisers, Homeowners Agree More on Price
National Mortgage News, Jan. 9, 2018–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Increased equity levels are resulting in higher appraisals that are closer to owners’ view of home prices now than they have been since March 2015, according to Quicken Loans.
U.S. Job Openings, Layoffs Fall to Six-Month Lows in November
Reuters, Jan. 9, 2018–Lucia MutikaniU.S. job openings fell for a second straight month in November, with declines in the manufacturing and real estate sectors, supporting economist forecasts that job growth will slow in 2018.
Commercial Originators Expect Another Year of Growth in 2018
Mortgage Professional America, Jan. 8, 2018–Francis MonfortOriginations in the commercial and multifamily mortgage segment are expected to be strong in 2018, with some top firms looking to increase activity, according to an MBA Newslink report on the 2018 CREF Outlook Survey released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.