MBA Newslinks Archive

“The shrinking size of sales declines, paired with falling interest rates, may be helping to improve builder confidence, which has been on the rise since December.”–Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather

“IMBs have always served the needs of a wide variety of consumers, particularly low- and moderate-income families and first-time homebuyers. Their historic and current contribution to the mortgage market reinforces their importance to making the American dream of homeownership a reality.”–MBA President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB.

“January’s weak sales pace was likely the result of the lingering effects of stock market volatility and lower consumer confidence toward the end of 2018. Much of the January decrease was in the lower price tiers, which also tends to be where inventory is the tightest.”–MBA Associate Vice President of Surveys and Forecasts Joel Kan.

“Fintechs have helped make personal loans a credit product that is recognized as both a convenient and simple way to obtain funding online. More and more consumers see value in using a personal loan for their credit needs, whether to consolidate debt, finance a home improvement project or pay for an online purchase.”–Jason Laky, senior vice president and consumer lending line of business leader with TransUnion, Chicago.

“After four consecutive declines, purchase applications increased almost 2 percent over the week and 2.5 percent compared to a year ago–showing some promise as we edge closer to the spring homebuying season.”–MBA Associate Vice President of Industry Surveys and Forecasts Joel Kan.

“With the unemployment rate near 50-year lows, wage growth trending higher and household debt levels relative to disposable incomes at 35-year lows, homeowners are in great shape, and mortgage performance is quite strong.” –Marina Walsh, MBA Vice President of Industry Analysis.

“For four years, it felt like home buyers couldn’t catch a break as for-sale inventory became tighter and tighter with each passing month. But during the second half of 2018, something shifted. Home buyers aren’t out of the woods yet, but there is a glimmer of light on the horizon. The number of homes on the market is hesitantly inching higher–now approaching the highest level in a year and a half.”–Zillow Senior Economist Aaron Terrazas.

“Despite the jitters potential homebuyers felt in December from the volatility in the financial markets, the healthy job market and wage growth, moderating price gains and lower mortgage rates all helped home sales recover. Additionally, builders seem to be seeing improvement in their labor shortages, as recently released government survey data showed increases in construction hiring and openings in December.” –Joel Kan, MBA Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting.

“For the past three years one of the most popular questions here at the CREF Convention has been, ‘What inning are we in?’ In reality, many expected this game to have ended by now and the market to start a down-leg. Instead, we’re in a new phase, something we have never seen before–a plateau.”–MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB.

“The upcoming roll of commercial and multifamily mortgage maturities is relatively stable, after seven years of instability. Many commercial and multifamily mortgages have 10-year terms, and a decade ago, the Great Recession meant fewer new loans were being made. As a result, 2018 and 2019 loan maturity volumes have been smaller than would otherwise be the case. However, a sizable share of shorter term loans financed in the last few years have made up the difference.”–MBA Vice President for Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.