The Lede

HousingWire, Jan. 28, 2016--Swanson, Brena The Federal Housing Administration announced a new plan to reduce multifamily insurance rates in order to encourage capital financing of affordable and energy-efficient apartments. Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David Stevens, CMB, said the reduction represents a "significant element to expand the availability of affordable and workforce rental housing in America."

Washington Post, Jan. 28, 2016--Orton, Kathy Continued volatility in the financial markets pushed mortgage rates lower again, according to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 28, 2016--Sparshott, Jeffrey The Commerce Department publishes its first look at the economy's performance in the fourth quarter at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal forecast a paltry 0.8% seasonally adjusted annual growth rate for gross domestic product, the broadest measure of output. That would be a slowdown from the third quarter's 2% pace.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 28, 2016--Peters, Andy The U.S. housing market continued to improve in November, as some local economies continued to bounce back from the recession, according to Freddie Mac.

HousingWire, Jan. 28, 2016--Finlay, Robert The author, founding partner of Wright, Finlay & Zak, said a new Nevada law aimed at curbing controversy over a 2014 court ruling on homeowner association "super liens" is a right step, but practical application of the law could be challenging.

Reuters, Jan. 28, 2016--Mutikani, Lucia New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods in December recorded their biggest drop in 16 months as lower oil prices and a strong dollar pressured factories, the latest indication that economic growth braked sharply at the end of 2015.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 28, 2016--Jarzemsky, Matt The market's recent tumble has private-equity firms reaching for their checkbooks, if Blackstone Group LP's latest results are any indication.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 28, 2016--Chen, Stefanos Prices for some units in Park Grove's under-construction towers are expected to top $1,900 a square foot-a city of Miami record. Coconut Grove's priciest home, a historic estate listed for $47.5 million, is likely to be torn down as the value really lies in its 6.9 acres, agents say.