The Lede

MarketWatch, May 7, 2018--Andrea RiquierIs this a good time to buy a house? Economic conditions such as a strong job market say "yes." Housing market fundamentals such as too few homes available for sale say "no." Personal views about owning versus renting say "maybe."

Bloomberg, May 7, 2018--Joe LightFreddie Mac has quietly started extending credit to nonbanks that issue mortgages, a move it says will help the companies maintain access to a crucial stockpile of cash if their home loans go sour. But critics say the financing could create an unfair market advantage that allows preferred lenders to muscle out competitors. (MBA mention)

National Mortgage News, May 7, 2018 (subscription)Mortgage servicers growing due to acquisitions or the increased value of servicing in the market could remain under pressure if these strategies don't outweigh other rising costs they face.

Wall Street Journal, May 7, 2018--Dave Michaels (subscription)Michael Piwowar said he intends to step down from the SEC on July 7, after serving nearly five years on the five-person commission. Mr. Piwowar's departure would leave the agency with four commissioners, meaning some votes could be deadlocked if the SEC's two Democrats oppose measures favored by Chairman Jay Clayton.

The Hill, May 7, 2018--Brett SamuelsNew York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned Monday night after a bombshell report detailing allegations from multiple women of physical abuse against him.

Mortgage Daily, May 7, 2018A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau summary of data for last year collected as required by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act shows that a bigger share of loans went to black and low-income borrowers as non-banks did more of the lending.

Mortgage Daily, May 8, 2018The updates by the mortgage insurance company are reportedly being made in an effort to provide increased risk-based granularity and align better with industry trends.

HousingWire, May 7, 2018--Jeremiah Jensen"Lending terms remain extremely attractive, and we expect another strong year in 2018, although perhaps not quite as strong as 2017," said MBA Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.

HousingWire, May 7, 2018--Jeremiah JensenBlackstone Group announced today that it will buy commercial real estate management group Gramercy Property Trust for $7.6 billion.