The Lede

National Mortgage News, Nov. 17, 2017--Elina Tarkazikis (subscription)Over half of mortgage industry executives surveyed anticipate first-time home buyer growth in 2018, estimating that market will grow at a faster pace than the overall housing market.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 17, 2017--Laura Kusisto; Sarah Chaney (subscription)U.S. housing starts rose last month to the highest level in a year, a sign that builders are getting back on track after hurricanes lashed the southeast and dampened residential construction activity in September.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 17, 2017--Andrew Ackerman (subscription)Moderate Democrats worked with the GOP on a plan to roll back parts of the Dodd-Frank law. The deal, announced last Monday, marked the first significant bipartisan agreement to relieve small and regional lenders from a number of restrictions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial-overhaul law.

Mortgage Professional America, Nov. 17, 2017--Francis MonfortThe volume of mortgage loan applications increased during the week ending Nov. 10, according to the Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 17, 2017In a statement Friday, the San Francisco-based bank-holding company said Franklin Codel was immediately dismissed as a result of acting in a manner contrary to company policies and expectations for senior leaders. The behavior occurred during a communication with a former employee about that team member's termination.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 17, 2017Single-family loans that were at least 30 days late or in the foreclosure inventory accounted for 6.11 percent of all outstanding mortgages as of Sept. 30, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

UExpress, Nov. 17, 2017--Lew SichelmanMost people are unaware that they can cut their tax bills if their homes are damaged during a disaster such as the Northern California fires, or the hurricanes that blasted the Gulf Coast, much of Florida and all of Puerto Rico. But they can do so, if they are proactive.

National Mortgage Professional, Nov. 17, 2017--Phil HallThe Federal Housing Finance Agency is shifting its policy by enabling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to re-enter the Low Income Housing Tax Credit market as equity investors on a limited basis. (MBA mention)

National Mortgage News, Nov. 17, 2017--Ian McKendry (subscription)The White House and congressional GOP leaders are eyeing a tight window between tax reform passage and the 2018 midterms to pass housing finance reform. And with key policymakers readying their exit, the effort could be the most concerted push yet.

Washington Post, Nov. 18, 2017--Joel AchenbachMore than 4.7 million Americans--or about 1.4 percent of the population--have registered so far this year for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 2016, 480,000 sought aid, and fewer than 180,000 people registered for disaster assistance in each of the three previous years.

National Real Estate Investor, Nov. 17, 2017--Mary DiduchBrookfield Property Partners' $14.8 billion offer to buy the remainder of shopping center owner General Growth Properties could re-price the retail sector--already challenged by the rise of e-commerce.