NAHREP’s Acosta Says Hispanics Represent Major Growth Opportunity for Mortgage Industry

Scotsman Guide, Oct. 22, 2015–Whitman, Victor
The U.S. Hispanic population is projected to more than double to 120 million by 2050, studies suggest, making them the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country. Yet, the Hispanic-homeownership rate has been falling and remains below the national average by double digits.

Government Applications Drive Big Increase in Mortgage Apps

Housing Wire, Oct. 21, 2015–Garrison, TreyMortgage applications increased 11.8% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending Oct. 16, 2015.

Cheap-Money Fed Ignored Rate-Hike Advice from 8 of 12 U.S. Regions

Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 21, 2015–DiStefano, JosephTop Federal Reserve officials are “fractured” by their “growing split” on what to do about U.S. interest-rate targets, with most regional Feds joining as hawks who seek to boost the cost of money against cheap-money advocates in Wall Street and Washington, a former Fed research economist said.

Opinion: Is The US Headed for Negative Interest Rates?

CNBC, Oct. 21, 2015–Insana, Ron Most of us have trouble conceptualizing negative numbers when we first face them in middle school. But in the adult world, negative numbers are becoming an increasingly normal part of the equation when it comes to interest rates.

Wells Fargo Laying Off 132 in Charlotte Area

Charlotte Observer, Oct. 21, 2015–Roberts, DeonWells Fargo said Wednesday it is laying off 132 employees in the Charlotte metropolitan area, the latest example of the lender cutting its mortgage operation.

Four Ways the Tech Boom Has Changed NYC’s Real Estate Landscape

Huffington Post, Oct. 21, 2015–Susman, AronWhether you see the rapid growth of tech startups as a boom or a bubble, tech activity is higher than it’s been since 2000 and has impacted the economies and landscapes of cities around the world. Here are four ways that tech companies are affecting NYC’s real estate landscape.

Is the Credit Box Finally Showing Signs of Opening Up?

HousingWire, Oct. 21, 2015–Lane, Ben
Over the last 18 months, the federal government and the enterprises that it sponsors have taken several significant steps in an effort to open up the credit box and ensure more lending is done to more people. Now, a new report from Ellie Mae suggests that those efforts may finally be taking hold.