MBA Newslinks Archive

“The recent and forecasted acceleration in home prices is a good and bad thing at the same time. Higher prices and a lack of affordable homes are two of the most challenging issues in housing today, and every buyer, seller and industry participant is being impacted. The long-term solution lies in expanding supply, which will require aggressive and effective collaboration between policy makers, state and local government entities and home builders.”–Frank Martell, president and CEO of CoreLogic, Irvine, Calif.

“Cities that have experienced aggressive population growth have struggled to build enough rental housing to meet the increased demand. The problem continues to get worse, and every year more very low-income families are forced to spend more of their income on housing.”Freddie Mac Vice President of Multifamily Research and Modeling Steve Guggenmos.

“New [commercial and multifamily] construction activity remains robust. Over the last year, construction has grown for multifamily, office and manufacturing space and declined for commercial/retail space.”–MBA Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.

“The importance of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 and subsequent reauthorizations to the American economy is directly relevant to MBA’s membership. A long-term extension of TRIA is vital to the health of the commercial and multifamily real estate finance sector and the nation as a whole.”–MBA Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs Bill Killmer, in a letter to Senate Banking Committee leadership in support of reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.

“President Trump’s administration is to be commended for shining further light on the housing affordability challenges facing low-to-moderate-income Americans and the middle class. Housing affordability is an issue affecting millions of Americans, and we believe the public and private sectors must work together on solutions that ensure those looking to rent or buy a home are given every available opportunity. MBA looks forward to continuing to work with the administration and other stakeholders on this issue in order to strengthen communities throughout the country.”–MBA President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB, on the Trump Administration’s Executive Order establishing a Council on Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing.

“Home buyers today are more likely to cross paths with investors during an open house than at any other time in the past two decades.”–Ralph McLaughlin, Deputy Chief Economist with CoreLogic, Irvine, Calif.

“Home prices continue to increase, but still at a slower pace than in recent years, and more in line with the rate of income growth. Combined with lower mortgage rates, these trends should help additional first-time home buyers enter the market in the coming months.”–MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

“When our industry becomes dominated by purchase money mortgages, the large banks’ natural advantage in terms of new loan opportunities dissipates.”–STRATMOR Principal Tom Finnegan.

“Longer-term rates are likely already pricing in several rate cuts. Thus, mortgage rates may be more volatile in the months ahead, which could both provide refinance opportunities for some homeowners, while causing potential home buyers to pause amidst the uncertainty.”–MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

“After seeing a six-week streak, mortgage rates for 30-year loans increased slightly, which led to a pullback in overall refinance activity. Borrowers were sensitive to rising rates, but the refinance share of applications was still at its highest level since January 2018, and refinance activity was at its second-highest level this year. –MBA Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting Joel Kan.