The Lede

GoRion, Jan. 4, 2017--Bourgi, Sam  U.S. home sales rose more than expected in November, even as construction activity ran into volatility, a sign that stronger earnings and more plentiful jobs were offsetting a sharp rise in mortgage rates.

National Real Estate Investor, Jan. 4, 2017--Mattson-Teig, Beth The real estate investment trust market saw few new players added to the roster in 2016. The sedate pace of IPO activity is testament to the challenging pricing market that still exists, and 2017 is shaping up to be another slow year.

CNBC, Jan. 4, 2017--Olick, Diana Mortgage application volume plunged 12 percent for last week, seasonally adjusted, from two weeks earlier, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

Washington Post, Jan. 4, 2017--Harney, Kenneth R. The authorization for this benefit to middle-income owners expired on Dec. 31, 2016. As a result, it will not be available for borrowers during 2017 and beyond unless reauthorized through congressional action.

The Street, Jan. 4, 2017--Chang, Ellen Mortgage rates have been rising steadily since the U.S. presidential election, and while potential homebuyers are facing higher monthly payments, this trend also has an upside.

Charlotte Observer, Jan. 4, 2017--Peralta, Katherine Wyndham Capital Mortgage on Tuesday laid off 78 people in Charlotte, a move that comes amid industry pressure from rising mortgage rates.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 4, 2017--Bender, Michael C. President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Sullivan & Cromwell law partner Jay Clayton as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, adding another figure with close Wall Street ties to Mr. Trump's administration.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 4, 2017--Passy, Jacob Walter Investment Management Corp. has agreed to sell Green Tree Insurance Agency to a wholly owned subsidiary of insurance company Assurant.

HousingWire, Jan. 4, 2017 The trend isn't letting up as borrowers once again prove they are getting better at paying their mortgage on time, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's 2016 third-quarter report on mortgages.

Associated Press, Jan. 4, 2017--Crutsinger, Martin Federal Reserve officials, who boosted a key interest rate last month, said they might need to accelerate future rate hikes if a faster-growing economy pushes down the unemployment rate farther than currently expected.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 4, 2017 Origin Bank in Texas announced it has added eMortgage warehouse financing to its line of warehouse products.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 4, 2017 Updates address 2 acquisitions, PMIERs financial requirements.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 4, 2017--Garcia, Sam A variety of mortgage origination statistics have been reported for home lenders, including rural lending and lending in the Big Apple.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 4, 2017--Collins, Brian National banks have experienced a dramatic drop in loan modification activity over the past year, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

MBA Education hosts a webinar, Tax Reform Proposals & Potential Impacts on Commercial Real Estate Finance, on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET.