Orange County Register, Mar. 25, 2021–Jeff LazersonAs of this week, you can use Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency (which, mysteriously, is unregulated and lacks a central authority) to buy anything from …
Category: Top National News
Our Urban Affordability Crisis is Going Nationwide
Mortgage Professional America, Mar. 25, 2021–David KitaiThe urban affordability crisis that defined much of the last decade looks like it’s expanding nationwide. A new study from the Mortgage Bankers Association …
Three New Candidates Emerge to Head OCC
American Banker, Mar. 25, 2021–Brendan Pedersen (subscription)Former Obama-era regulators Kara Stein and Sarah Bloom Raskin, as well as Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, have joined the field of potential nominees …
Online CRE Platform Lev Raises $10 Million in Seed Round
Mortgage Professional America, Mar. 25, 2021–Candyd MendozaLev, an online commercial real estate platform, has raised $10 million in a seed funding led by Trulia co-founder Pete Flint.https://www.mpamag.com/commercial/online-cre-platform-lev-raises-10-million-in-seed-round-250482.aspx
loanDepot’s Profit Margins Keep Dropping
HousingWire, Mar. 25, 2021–James KleimannThe Tuesday filing shows that loanDepot, the nation’s second-largest retail lender, originated $25.1 billion worth of residential loans in January and February, compared to the $37.4 …
Home Improvement Spending Up 3.5% in 2020 Despite Disrupted Financing
National Mortgage News, Mar. 25, 2021–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Renovation expenditures faced challenges last year, but managed to increase over 2019 and will likely climb further in 2021, according to a report …
Senate Passes PPP Bill, Extending Loan Applications Through May
Wall Street Journal, Mar. 25, 2021–Andrew Duehren (subscription)The Senate approved a bill extending the deadline for applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan to May 31, sending the legislation to …
Mortgage Rates Are on the Rise, and It’s Messing With People’s Home Buying Plans
Money, Mar. 25, 2021–Leslie CookRising interest rates are starting to impact how much house people can afford. It’s another blow to homebuyers, who are already struggling with low inventory and …
Mortgage Rates Hit 9-Month High After Rising for Six Weeks in a Row
Washington Post, Mar. 25, 2021–Kathy OrtonSix weeks of increases have put the 30-year fixed-rate average at its highest level in nine months. According to the latest data released Thursday by …
Real Estate Makes Last-Minute Push to Kill Proposed Preferred Equity Tax
The Real Deal, March 25, 2021–Erin HudsonReal estate players are using a letter-writing campaign and threats of lawsuits to try to stop a tax on preferred equity investors from advancing …