Orange County Register, Nov. 7, 2019–Jeff LazersonHere are some of my observations from Mortgage Bankers Association convention I attended in Austin last month: 1) One exhibit hall lender offered primary …
MBA Newslinks Archive
Low U.S. Interest Rates Are Fueling a Bubble in Commercial Real Estate
National Real Estate Investor, Nov. 7, 2019–Jay Rollins U.S. interest rates will not stay low forever and investors must prepare for their eventual rise. To protect themselves, investors should stress-test …
Sears Says It Has Secured a $250 Million Lifeline, Will Close 96 Stores
Reuters, Nov. 7, 2019–Mike Spector, Jessic DiNapoliSears said it had won a $250 million lifeline from lenders that include billionaire owner Eddie Lampert, and will close additional stores, as mounting …
Snapdocs raises $25 Million in Series B Funding Round
HousingWire, Nov. 7, 2019–Julia FalconReal estate technology company Snapdocs announced Thursday morning that it raised $25 million in its Series B funding.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/snapdocs-raises-25-million-in-series-b-funding-round/
Consumer Housing Confidence Falls Again as Economic Doubts Rise
National Mortgage News, Nov. 7, 2019–Paul Centopani (subscription)Fannie’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index declined for the second straight month after hitting an all-time high in August. The index fell to 88.8 …
Q3 Home Prices Rise in 93 Percent of Metro Areas
National Mortgage Professional, Nov. 7, 2019–Phil HallSingle-family median home prices during the third quarter increased year-over-year in 93 percent of the metro areas–-or 166 out of 178 markets–-tracked by the …
Mortgage Rates Retreat for the First Time in Three Weeks
Washington Post, Nov. 7, 2019–Kathy OrtonAfter three weeks of increases, mortgage rates fell back this week — but it looks to be only a temporary decline. (MBA mention)https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/07/mortgage-rates-retreat-first-time-three-weeks/
Luxury Housing Market Stabilizes in 3Q After Weak First Half
Redfin, Seattle, said average sale prices for luxury homes nationwide rose by 0.3 percent year over year to $1.6 million in the third quarter, marking the first time luxury prices did not drop after three straight quarters of declines.
2019 MBA Annual Convention Survey Scorecard
The following report was prepared from the 28 face-to-face surveys I conducted with senior mortgage executives from 28 different firms in Austin, Texas at the MBA Annual Convention held 27-30 October. They are designed to capture the thinking, attitudes and expectations of an industry through one-on-one interviews with execs from, in this instance, 28 different mortgage firms. My goal is to create a microcosm of the industry using the MBA’s membership as the universe.
MBA Announces Two Affordable Housing Advisory Councils
The Mortgage Bankers Association announced formation of two advisory councils as part of its new affordable housing initiative.