Do Regulations Really Increase New Home Prices by 25 Percent?

Mortgage Orb, Sept. 28, 2017–Peter G. MillerThe Internet, media reports and congressional testimony are always rife with rumors and tall tales. But what about the claim that government regulations increase the cost of new home construction by 25%?

How to Vet a Remodeler

UExpress, Sept. 29, 2017–Lew SichelmanAccording to a survey of its members by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, customers are asking the wrong questions.

Trump Meets With Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh About Chairman Job

Wall Street Journal, Sept. 29, 2017–Michael C. Bender (subscription)President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met with former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh on Thursday to discuss his potential nomination as the next Fed chairman, a White House official said, signaling that the West Wing is moving ahead with a process that the president has said he would like to have completed by the end of the year.

Low Inventory Flatlines Housing Demand in New Data Report

National Mortgage Professional, Sept. 29, 2017–Phil HallA shrinking inventory is being blamed for the stagnation in the latest Redfin Housing Demand Index, which barely inched up from 126 in July to 127 in August. On a year-over-year basis, however, the index was up 27.7 percent.

Lenders Originate Riskier Mortgages in the Second Quarter

National Mortgage News, Sept. 29, 2017–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Mortgage lenders took on more risk in the second quarter as the share of loans to real estate investors and condominium owners increased, according to CoreLogic.

OCC Claims Proof CFPB Wrong on Arbitration Rule

HousingWire, Sept. 29, 2017–Brena SwansonThe Office of the Comptroller of the Currency noted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said analysts were unable to identify any evidence from the data to indicate companies that removed their arbitration agreements raised their prices.