MBA Newslinks Archive

 “Construction across all major property types continues to increase, fueled by the ongoing recovery in the economy and property fundamentals.” 
–Reis Senior Economist and Director of Research Ryan Severino.

“It will be telling to watch how the next six months unfold as real estate executives position themselves to address a whirlwind of opportunities, risks and disruptions facing the U.S. and global markets.”–DLA Piper Global Real Estate practice Co-Chair Jay Epstien.

“FHFA’s review and adjustment mechanism in its 2016 Scorecard and its close monitoring of changing market conditions will support continued liquidity in workforce rental housing, help avoid market disruptions, and allow for competition among capital sources that finance this vital market.” –MBA President and CEO David Stevens, CMB, on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s announcement that it would increase multifamily loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

“Housing helped keep U.S. economic growth afloat in the first quarter of 2016 as residential investment recorded its strongest gain since the end of 2012. Low interest rates and increased home building suggest that housing will continue to be a growth driver.”–CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft.

“Demand for rental housing has greatly outstripped supply, rapidly pushing vacancies down and rents up even as incomes fell. We are still trying to catch up.”–Lynn Fisher, RIHA Executive Director and MBA Vice President for Research and Economics.

“The mortgage on a median-priced home is still more affordable than it was in December, despite rising prices, just not as much as one might expect given that rates are as low as they are.” –Black Knight Senior Vice President of Data and Analytics Ben Graboske.

“MBA believes this approach should provide a swift path to issuing a final rule that will give lenders, the secondary market and consumers the clarity and consistency of disclosures the market needs. In the interim, we appreciate that the Bureau’s ‘diagnostic period’ for the KBYO rule will continue to accommodate good faith compliance efforts. We view today’s letter as a positive step, and we look forward to working with the Bureau to ensure industry priorities are addressed.”–Pete Mills, MBA senior vice president of residential policy and member engagement.

“No one had anticipated that the Fed would raise rates at this meeting. Rather, we and others had expected somewhat more of a signal that they would be increasing rates again in June. Odds of a June have decreased a bit, but we expect that is still the most likely outcome.”
–Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

“H.R. 2121 is an important bill for the mortgage industry. Transitional authority would be available to MLOs who have been registered for at least 12 months and have a clean history as an originator.”–From an MBA Mortgage Action Alliance Call to Action, urging its members to ask their members of Congress to support a bill giving transitional licensing authority to mortgage loan originators.

“It’s going to be a tough home-buying market this spring, especially for first-time buyers or even people looking to move up into a slightly more expensive home. To stand out in a competitive market, buyers should get pre-approved for a loan, find an agent who has experience with bidding wars and consider coming in at the asking price, so the seller knows they’re serious.”–Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell.