Wall Street Journal, Apr. 8, 2021–Peter Rudegeair, Maureen Farrell (subscription)SoftBank Group Corp . is investing $500 million in mortgage lender Better as the Japanese investing giant seeks to ride a …
Category: Top National News
Fixed Mortgage Rates Upward March Halted as They Fall for the First Time in 7 Weeks
Washington Post, Apr. 8, 2021–Kathy OrtonAfter seven consecutive increases, fixed mortgage rates reversed course this week. According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average …
Average Office Utilization Rate Shrinks Dramatically over Pandemic’s Course
Mortgage Professional America, Apr. 8, 2021–Duffie OsentalWhile on average 30% of office spaces were utilized in January 2020, data from VergeSense found that the economic impact of COVID-19 led to …
Mortgage Credit Increased in March With Jumbo Availability Making Strong Rebound
MortgageOrb, Apr. 8, 2021–Michael BatesMortgage credit availability increased in March, rising 0.6% compared with February to reach a score of 125.4 on the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index.https://mortgageorb.com/mortgage-credit-increased-in-march-with-jumbo-availability-making-strong-rebound
Agency Plan Would Postpone Foreclosures Until 2022
Orange County Register, Apr. 8, 2021–Jeff LazersonThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed that mortgage servicers delay action on borrowers’ principle residence until after December. (MBA mention)https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2021/04/08/agency-plan-would-postpone-foreclosures-until-2022/
Down Payment Assistance Focused on First-Generation Buyers Could Help Millions Access the Benefits of Homeownership
Urban Institute, Apr. 7, 2021–Jung Hyun Choi, Janneke RatcliffeThe authors explore ways to define eligibility for a first-generation-buyer DPA program. Regardless of which definition is used, making it easier for …
Brooklyn Sees Surprising Gains in Real Estate Prices, Transactions and Inventory in 2021
Brownstoner, April 8, 2021–Craig HubertEverything is looking up for the Brooklyn real estate market. Inventory, transactions and closed-sale prices increased across the borough in the first quarter of 2021, according …
As Vaccination Drive Continues, Office Landlords Bet on Virus Testing to Speed Up Office Returns
Wealth Management Real Estate, April 8, 2021–Patricia KirkMore companies are announcing they will be returning to the office. On-site COVID-19 testing might be another inducement.https://www.wealthmanagement.com/office/vaccination-drive-continues-office-landlords-bet-virus-testing-speed-office-returns?
Manhattan Office Market’s 25% Drop is Ominous Sign for Landlords
The Real Deal (New York), April 08, 2021With offices shrinking in a post-Covid world, the world will never be the same for some landlords. The market value of office towers …
Mortgage Servicers are Stepping Up During COVID
HousingWire, Apr. 7, 2021–Robert Broeksmit, CMBMBA President & CEO shows how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s own data reported complaints against mortgage servicers are down 3.5%.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/cfpb-report-shows-how-mortgage-servicers-have-stepped-up-during-covid/