MBA Newslinks Archive

“Rising prices and interest rates have reduced home buyer activity and led to a gradual slowing in appreciation. October’s mortgage rates were the highest in seven and a half years, eroding buyer affordability.”–Frank Nothaft, chief economist for CoreLogic, Irvine, Calif.

“Commercial and multifamily mortgage delinquency rates are extremely low right now. The delinquency rate for loans held on bank balance sheets set a new series low, and delinquency rates for loans held by life companies or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are all below 10 basis points.”–MBA Vice President for Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.

“The stock-market fluctuations that began last quarter likely caused some uncertainty among wealthy individuals, which has made luxury buyers more sensitive to price.”–Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather.

“We know that 2019 is going to be a tough year. This represents a great opportunity for people in the real estate finance industry to challenge their companies on diversity and inclusion, because the landscape is shifting now. They can separate themselves from the pack now on D&I.”–J. Tony Thompson III, CMB, AMP, Vice President of Growth & Strategy with Silverton Mortgage Specialists, Atlanta, and founder of the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA).

“Diversity and inclusion is not a hobby. You have to think of this as a business decision, that it’s right and it’s good. The end result will be success, if you’re intentional.”–Susan Stewart, 2019 MBA Vice Chairman and CEO of SWBC Mortgage, San Antonio.

“The increase in conforming loan limits results from continued strengthening in home prices and a strong demand for housing coupled with constraints on supply.” –Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB.

“Mr. Bright’s prior experience, in the private sector and in public service, gives him a broad understanding of capital markets and the housing industry. As a former Capitol Hill staffer, Mr. Bright understands the policy issues affecting Ginnie Mae as well as the mortgage and financial markets. His broad finance background makes him an ideal candidate to lead Ginnie Mae.”–From an MBA/trade group letter urging the Senate to approve Michael Bright’s nomination as Ginnie Mae President.

“The increase in conforming loan limits results from continued strengthening in home prices and a strong demand for housing coupled with constraints on supply.” –Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB.

“Given the rapid increase in home prices over the past few years, and the recent pick-up in mortgage rates, the housing market continues to struggle with diminished affordability. The notable deceleration in median home price growth, 3.8% in October compared to roughly 6% in 2017, is a positive sign, as it indicates that home prices are rising at a more sustainable pace.”–MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni, on last week’s existing home sales report.

“MBA believes that the requirements of the CECL standard, which is effective for SEC registrants in 2020, and for all other companies in 2021, will adversely impact the availability, structure and price of credit, with a larger proportion of such impact landing on longer-term loans, such as 30-year single-family residential mortgages, commercial and multifamily mortgages, student and business loans.”–MBA President and CEO Robert Broeksmit, CMB, in a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to delay a credit loss accounting standard implementation pending a quantitative impact study.