Reuters, Mar. 2, 2022–Jeffrey DastinAmazon.com Inc on Wednesday told Reuters it plans to close all 68 of its physical book stores, pop up shops and “4-star” stores in the United …
Category: Top National News
Amid Heavy Financial Losses, iBuyers Bought 70,000 Homes in 2021
HousingWire, Mar. 2, 2022–Brooklee HanSo-called iBuyers purchased a total of 70,402 homes in 2021, more than doubling the number purchased in 2019, according to a report from Zillow released on …
‘Lender Choice’ of Credit Scoring Urged at FHFA Hearing
National Mortgage News, Mar. 2, 2022–Andrew Martinez (subscription)Mortgage industry stakeholders Tuesday called on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to implement more competition in credit scoring models during the latest session …
Working From Home In Another State
National Mortgage Professional, Mar. 2, 2022–Steven GoodeAn analysis by First American Financial Corp. economist Ksenia Potapov has found that increased opportunities to work from home may improve homeownership opportunities in …
Powell Plans to Seek Quarter-Percentage Point Rate Increase
Wall Street Journal, Mar. 2, 2022–Nick Timiraos (subscription)Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said he would propose a quarter-percentage point rate increase in the central bank’s meeting in two weeks amid …
Weak Mortgage Demand Could Get a Big Boost as Ukraine Crisis Causes Interest Rates to Drop Sharply
CNBC, Mar. 2, 2022–Diana OlickMortgage application volume was essentially flat compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. Borrowers had no incentive to refinance, …
Fannie’s and Freddie’s ‘Release’ Date? See You in 2037
Inside Mortgage Finance, Mar. 2, 2022–Paul MuoloIn roughly 15 years, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could amass enough capital to meet regulatory minimum requirements, paving the way for their release …
Office Refinancing Dollars Abound, But Not For Every Building
Commercial Property Executive, March 1, 2022–Gail KalinoskiBorrowers planning on refinancing their office properties this year should have plenty of options. Lenders are willing, though some are getting more selective.https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/office-refinancing-dollars-abound-but-not-for-every-building/
Demand for Science Lab Buildings Soars During Covid-19 Pandemic
Wall Street Journal, March 1, 2022–Peter Grant (subscription)The rapid growth of life-science research during the pandemic is triggering a record boom in the development of new lab space and offices …
Capital Economics: 6% Mortgage Rates Would Lower U.S. Home Prices
Wall Street Journal Pro, March 1, 2022 (subscription)While no one is quite certain how far the Federal Reserve will need to raise its short-term target rate to tame surging inflation, …