The Lede

Daily Business Review, Feb. 26, 2018--Harold LewisA small number of real estate closings have been reported in Florida using cryptocurrency, but how quickly crypto moves into more regulated and mainstream commercial real estate remains elusive.

CNBC, Feb. 23, 2018--Tae Kim The Federal Reserve released its Monetary Policy Report to Congress on Friday. "Valuation pressures continue to be elevated across a range of asset classes including equities and commercial real estate," the report said.

The Hour, Feb. 26, 2018--Alexander SouleIn its annual report Friday, GE disclosed it may record up to an additional $500 million in losses as a result of its former U.S. mortgage lending unit WMC, which has been under DOJ investigation for potential violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act.

DS News, Feb. 26, 2018--David WhartonThe Insight report says that if rates continue to hover between 3.5 and 4.5 percent and inflation remains low, originations, home sales, and housing starts should each increase by 5-10 percent this year.

National Mortgage Professional, Feb. 26, 2018--Phil HallAccording to statistics released by Black Knight Inc., home prices closed last year 6.6 percent higher on a year-over-year basis; on a month-over-month basis, home prices were up 0.10 percent from November.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 26, 2018--Ian McKendry (subscription)"Lot of conversations happening between House members and Senate members on expanding the package" before the Senate takes it up, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told reporters.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 26, 2018Alfer Rodenburg was a mortgage broker in Houston. He arranged first and second mortgages between prospective borrowers and wholesale mortgage lenders.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 26, 2018Although quarterly and annual mortgage production was down at Citizens Financial Group Inc., the residential asset and servicing portfolios have grown.

Washington Post, Feb. 27, 2018--Kenneth R. HarneyTrigger leads are created and sold super fast, often within 24 hours of your loan application. Out of the blue, your phone might ring and suddenly you're the target of a pitch from a competitor offering a deal that may be real, deceptive or no better than the one you've already been quoted.

Bloomberg, Feb. 27, 2018--Sarah MulhollandJust four years ago, the new owner of 115 Mercer St., a low-slung building in the heart of Manhattan's Soho shopping district, managed to swiftly replace its tenants and lure retailers willing to shell out record rents. Now, that same landlord has to fight to get one of them to stay.

National Real Estate Iinvestor, Feb. 26, 2018--Mary DudichIn January, investment sales volume dropped 3 percent year-over-year, with all sectors except for industrial seeing declines, Real Capital Analytics said.