The Lede

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Weekly Mortgage Refinance Spike 37% in One Week as Rates Fall Further
CNBC, Aug. 14, 2019--Diana OlickMortgage application volume jumped 21.7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. Volume zoomed 81% from a year ago.
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Removal of URLA Language-Preference Question Sparks Controversy
Scotsman Guide, Aug. 14, 2019--Arnie AurellanoImplementation of the redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application has been delayed due to changes to questions regarding the applicant's language preferences. Some industry organizations, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, asked FHFA to reconsider, claiming that it would subject lenders to practical issues related to communicating in an applicant's preferred language, as well as legal risks if they are unable to do so.
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Department Stores See Worst Drop Since Macy’s Last Cut Its Outlook
Bloomberg, Aug. 14, 2019--Janet FreundU.S. department store stocks cratered Wednesday after Macy's cut its annual outlook, fueling the worst trading day for the index since the last time the Bloomingdale's parent slashed its forecasts in January.
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Wall Street Tumbles on Growing Recession Fears
Retuers, Aug. 14, 2019--Medha Singh, Arjun PanchadarWall Street main indexes slumped more than 2.5% on Wednesday, as a closely watched U.S. bond market indicator pointed to a renewed risk of recession following poor economic data from Germany and China.
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The Strength Of Workforce Housing As An Investment Class
Forbes, Aug. 14, 2019--Elie ReiderAs the real estate cycle lengthens and property prices continue to rise, many commercial real estate professionals across the country are finding it challenging to identify value-add acquisition opportunities. One of the few exceptions to this rule is workforce housing.
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FHA’s Distressed Asset Stabilization Program Should Be Improved, Not Abandoned
Urban Institute, Aug. 14, 2019--Laurie Goodman, Edward Golding, Jim ParrottThe authors argue that the DASP program is not fatally flawed; rather, DASP is a powerful tool that has helped thousands of families avoid foreclosure and has reduced stress on the FHA's insurance fund, making it easier for FHA to keep premiums low to ensure broad access to homeownership.
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Self-Employed Buyers Don’t Have to Miss Out on Homeownership
HousingWire, Aug. 14, 2019--Jessica DavisAs participation in the gig economy grows, so will the number of self-employed people looking to buy a home. It's a great opportunity for real estate professionals to expand their business--but it's not as straightforward as it may seem.
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Residential Finance News

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MBA News

Terry McAuliffe, Chris Christie, Margaret Brennan Keynote MBA Annual19 General Session
It's only summer, but the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention (Oct. 27-30 in Austin, Texas) is already heating up, with former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and CBS News' Fact the Nation host Margaret Brennan keynoting the Politics Today General Session on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
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Terry McAuliffe, Chris Christie, Margaret Brennan Keynote MBA Annual19 General Session
It's only summer, but the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention (Oct. 27-30 in Austin, Texas) is already heating up, with former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and CBS News' Fact the Nation host Margaret Brennan keynoting the Politics Today General Session on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Full Story
Terry McAuliffe, Chris Christie, Margaret Brennan Keynote MBA Annual19 General Session
It's only summer, but the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention (Oct. 27-30 in Austin, Texas) is already heating up, with former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and CBS News' Fact the Nation host Margaret Brennan keynoting the Politics Today General Session on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Full Story