HousingWire, Dec. 2, 2020–Mike Fratantoni (subscriber article)After an unprecedented year, MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni says there’s no place like home. Here is his 2021 housing market forecast.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-housing-market-outlook-for-2021/
Category: Top National News
E-Commerce Surge Spawns $2 Billion Warehouse Deal
Wall Street Journal, Dec. 3, 2020–Konrad Putzier (subscription)Stockbridge Capital Group and a South Korean partner said Wednesday they have acquired a portfolio of 23 warehouses in the U.S. in one …
Delinquent Homeowners in Neighborhoods of Color Are Less Likely to Be Protected by Forbearance
Urban Institute, Dec. 2, 2020–Michael Neal, Caitlin YoungBorrowers who are delinquent but not in forbearance are “unprotected homeowners,” and large share of them live in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/delinquent-homeowners-neighborhoods-color-are-less-likely-be-protected-forbearance
The Housing Market Outlook for 2021
HousingWire Plus, Dec. 2, 2020–Mike FratantoniAfter an unprecedented year, MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni says there’s no place like home. Here is his 2021 housing market forecast.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/the-housing-market-outlook-for-2021/
Finance of America 3Q Net Income Rises on Record Forward Loan Volume
National Mortgage News, Dec. 2, 2020–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Originations from all sources, including commercial and reverse mortgages, total $9.2 billion.https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/finance-of-america-q3-2020-earnings-analyzed
Senate Moves to Confirm Trump Fed Nominee Waller, But Shelton’s Candidacy Hits Likely Dead End
Wall Street Journal, Dec. 2, 2020–Nick Timiraos (subscription)Senate Republicans’ bid to confirm Judy Shelton as a Federal Reserve governor appears unlikely to succeed now that a new Democratic senator has …
Mortgage Refinancing Wave is Not Letting Up, to Investors’ Chagrin
Bloomberg, Dec. 2, 2020–Christopher MaloneyMortgage investors will carry unpleasant memories of this year’s surging prepayment speeds, yet as the calendar flips there appears little chance of near-term relief. While this …
Lenders Start to Place More Emphasis on Inclusion
BAI Banking Strategies, Dec. 2, 2020–Karen Epper HoffmanSteve O’Connor, senior vice president of affordable housing initiatives for the Mortgage Bankers Association, says lenders are more focused on the disparities in …
Mortgage Demand from Homebuyers Spikes 28%, and the Average Loan Amount Sets a Record High
CNBC, Dec. 2, 2020–Diana OlickMortgage applications to purchase a home jumped 9% last week from the previous week and were 28% higher annually, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/02/mortgage-demand-from-homebuyers-spikes-28percent.html
A New Setback for Big Cities as Return to the Office Fades
Wall Street Journal, Dec. 1, 2020–Peter Grant (subscription)U.S. employees started heading back to the office in greater numbers after Labor Day but that pace is stalling now, delivering another blow …