CMBS Loans Go Ice Cold as Bond-Market Turbulence Heats Up

Scotsman Guide, Mar. 15, 2016–Whitman, Victor
CMBS loans aren’t competitive right now against other commercial loan types because of turbulence in the bond markets, analysts say. “Since the beginning of the year, an awful lot of analysts have cut their projections for 2016 by 25 percent to 30 percent or more,” said Jamie Woodwell, MBA’s vice president of research.

U.S. Multifamily Mortgage Grew at Fastest Pace Since 1993

Reuters, Mar. 14, 2016
The amount of outstanding U.S. mortgages for multifamily homes rose to $1.06 trillion in 2015, up 10.4 percent from a year earlier, which was its fastest annual pace since 1993, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Monday.

Problem: Fewer Homes Available for Sale

Creators Syndicate, Mar. 14, 2016–Woodard, James
March and April are normally the beginning of the year’s most active home buying period. But this year, buyers face a serious dilemma: not enough homes are on the market to satisfy the demand.

Prosper, HomeAdvisor Announce Deal on Home-Improvement Loans

National Mortgage News, Mar. 14, 2016–Wack, Kevin
Prosper Marketplace on Monday announced a three-year agreement to offer financing to consumers making improvements to their homes through the website HomeAdvisor.com.

Study: Imbalance Between Renter Population and Affordable Units

National Mortgage Professional, Mar. 14, 2016–Hall, Phil
The renter population is growing in the 11 largest metropolitan areas, but affordable housing options in these markets are shrinking, according to the newly-released NYU Furman Center/Capital One National Affordable Rental Housing Landscape report.

Mortgage Industry Pressing For Permanent Ban on G-Fee Raids

Scotsman Guide, Mar. 14, 2016–Whitman, Victor
Mortgage industry trade groups have renewed a push to prevent future raids on the guarantee fees (g-fees) collected by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Fed Faces Challenge As It Considers More Rate Hikes

USA Today, Mar. 14, 2016–Davidson, Paul
With financial markets on a roller coaster in 2016, this week’s Federal Reserve meeting should reveal whether policymakers will be guided by February’s gut-wrenching valley, the recent peak or the uncertainty of the ride.

JPMorgan Readies Mortgage-Backed Deal

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 14, 2016–Glazer, Emily
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is trying to sell new securities that would pass along most of the credit risk on $1.9 billion in mortgages, in an attempt to revive a debt market that has been largely left to the government since the financial crisis.

6 Myths About Freddie Mac’s 3% Down Mortgage

HousingWire, Mar. 14, 2016–Swanson, Brena
Freddie Mac launched its Home Possible Advantage program featuring its 3% down payment option back in December in an attempt to open the credit box for borrowers wanting to jump into the housing market. But what was designed to help more first-time homebuyers and other qualified borrowers jump into the market has struggled to get off the ground.