MBA Newslinks Archive

“Real estate finance professionals are looking for new opportunities, protection from risk and more efficient operation procedures. We need effective solutions to bring even better service to consumers. Just like every good building must have a strong foundation, so must our businesses. Technology is our powerful foundation. It is the infrastructure upon which we should invest to keep the industry moving forward, but also moving together.”–MBA Chairman-Elect Rodrigo Lopez, CMB, speaking yesterday at the MBA National Technology in Mortgage Banking Conference.

“All five CRE sectors saw quarterly increases in deal volume, thanks to the strengthening U.S. dollar and the typical fourth quarter rush among investors to complete deals by the end of the year.”–Ten-X Chief Economist Peter Muoio.

“There is no question that the profession is in dire need of change in order to survive into the next generation. A shortage of appraisers is currently felt in many rural and lower population communities, and in the coming years this shortage threatens to spread into new markets and become far more severe in existing markets.”–MBA Senior Vice President of Residential Policy and Member Engagement Pete Mills, in a letter to The Appraisal Foundation on ways to attract a new generation of qualified appraisers.

“As all regions are targeted by this great wall of money, investment levels will likely reach record or near-record levels in an increasing number of markets.”–Cushman & Wakefield Director Nigel Almond.

“We heard about the opportunity to bring Opens Doors to Massachusetts and the decision to assist in every way imaginable was unanimous. We’re honored to help the Mortgage Bankers Association bring the program not only to Massachusetts, but to the #1 ranked children’s hospital in the world.”  
–radius financial group Principal Sarah Valentini. 

“These new records mean we’re no longer making up ground lost during the housing recession–we’re laying a new path forward, based on demand for housing and economic growth throughout the economy. In some markets, these new highs are a return to normalcy. The fact that other markets are still off by double digits may not mean those markets are far from being recovered. It just highlights how extraordinarily inflated home values had been during the housing bubble.”
–Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gujdell.

“A strong, sound secondary mortgage market is paramount to the overall success of the real estate finance industry. That is why it is of the utmost importance that policymakers and stakeholders create a strong and stable system that ensures liquidity, affordable mortgage credit and serves consumers.”
–Rodrigo Lopez, CMB, Executive Chairman of NorthMarq Capital Finance and Chairman-Elect of MBA, announcing creation of the MBA Task Force for a Future Secondary Market.

“MBA Opens Doors is thrilled to partner with the TCS New York City Marathon as an official charity partner. The TCS New York City Marathon provides a dynamic platform for our dedicated charity runners to raise significant funds and increase awareness for important causes that are special to them. We are looking forward to supporting and celebrating our runners, as they undertake this rewarding journey on behalf of families trying to keep their home while caring for a hospitalized child.”
–Debra Still, CMB, chairman of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, which announced a partnership this week with the 2016 New York City Marathon.

“For now, it appears that default volume is not resurging any time soon, so there is continued pressure on both servicers and providers to do more with less internally, while remaining within the framework of intensified regulatory scrutiny.”
–Denis Brosnan, president and CEO of DIMONT, Dallas.

“Given the impact of aging on memory and other cognitive skills, there is a need to consider the implication for financial decisions made by older individuals. By the time individuals are arriving into traditional retirement ages, when many important financial decisions are made, cognitive skills are already in decline as part of normal cognitive aging.”–Gary Englehardt, professor at Syracuse University and author of a Research Institute for Housing America paper on how cognitive decline impacts older Americans’ housing behavior.