Look Beyond Detached Houses

UExpress, Dec. 18, 2020–Lew Sichelman People shopping for new, more spacious single-family houses where they can hunker down during the pandemic may be overlooking places that meet most, if not …

As Spikes in Premiums Derail Deals, How Can You Avoid Risks?

Mortgage Professional America, Dec. 18, 2020–David KitaiReinsurance rates, which have stayed low for around the last 10 years, are starting to climb, especially in geographies exposed to hurricane or wildfire …

Mortgage Rates Keep Falling, Hitting Another Record Low

Bankrate.com, Dec. 17, 2020–Jeff OstrowskiMichael Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association, says mortgage rates will start rising soon. For now, he calls the disconnect between the economic outlook …

Bill’s Passage Widens Pool of Potential VA Mortgage Applicants

National Mortgage News, Dec. 17, 2020–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Case and Benefits Improvement Act includes a provision that extends eligibility for VA loans …

Regulator Ends Debt-Ratio Standard for Mortgage Approvals

Orange County Register, Dec. 17, 2020–Jeff LazersonIn response to the 2007-10 mortgage crisis when disingenuous standards ruled the roost, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (effectively the mortgage police) moved to …

The Next Coronavirus Front: Evictions and Foreclosures

HousingWire, Dec. 17, 2020–Jonathan T. ReckfordThe author says various forms of housing payment assistance have been included in COVID relief proposals, including some rental assistance in a recent bipartisan proposal, …

New York’s Plummeting Real Estate Sales Cost City $1.2 Billion

Bloomberg, Dec. 17, 2020–Oshrat CarmielThe pandemic’s slowdown in real estate deals has cost New York City $1.2 billion in lost revenue so far this year.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/york-plummeting-real-estate-sales-184606317.html

Fixed Mortgage Rates Tumble to Lowest Level in History

Washington Post, Dec. 17, 2020–Kathy OrtonThe 30-year fixed mortgage rate, the most popular loan product, sank to its lowest level on record this week, marking the 15th historic low it …

Which CRE Sectors will Struggle and Which will Thrive in 2021?

Mortgage Professional America, Dec. 17, 2020–David KitaiJamie Woodwell, vice president for commercial real estate research at the Mortgage Bankers Association, broke down subsectors of the CRE space into how the …