MBA Newslinks Archive

“It’s hugely important to put your money where your mouth is when it comes to diversity. Our firm has become much more diverse up and down the entire organization. We want to get best candidates we can and we want a diverse slate.”
–Robert Little, Chief Investment Officer with Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC, Hartford, Conn. 

“Even if a servicer has prior express consent from their customer to contact them on their cell phone, a servicer is still at risk for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.”–MBA Senior Vice President Pete Mills

“MBA wholeheartedly supports ensuring USDA receives full funding for its technology and staffing needs. However, we believe Congress should continue to fund these priorities through the annual appropriations process, not through an unprecedented and permanent fee that will undoubtedly be passed on to borrowers and raise the cost of homeownership.”
–MBA Senior Vice President of Legislative & Political Affairs Bill Killmer in a letter to House members. opposing an amendment imposing a fee on USDA Section 502 housing programs.

“Property incomes are rising, interest rates are low and property values are up. We expect the momentum to continue into 2016 and to support both the demand for and supply of commercial and multifamily mortgage capital.”
–MBA Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.

“Engagement is the key to sustainable success. Overcoming challenges and achieving these goals to maintain a strong commercial/multifamily marketplace only occurs when we work together.”
–MBA President and CEO David Stevens, CMB.

“The first reading on commercial property markets in 2016 shows property values increasing, but still at a slower pace as the previously divergent growth rates of the different property segments continue to converge.”
–Peter Muoio, chief economist with Ten-X, Irvine, Calif.

“This is a positive step toward helping support the need for affordable and more cost-efficient rental housing. Specifically, the reduction in Mortgage Insurance Premiums for FHA loans on multifamily affordable and energy efficient properties may help build more apartments and allow for more families and individuals to access affordable and energy efficient housing.”
–MBA President and CEO David Stevens, CMB.

“The Federal Reserve’s January statement regarding the economic outlook was more cautious than that in December. The financial market volatility in recent weeks, and the continued lack of any significant pickup in inflation, may lead the Fed to be even more gradual with respect to rate hikes this year.”  
–MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

“Historically low levels of inventory for new and existing homes should continue to support home prices into 2016. Meanwhile, housing demand is likely to remain solid as underlying fundamentals, including improving labor market conditions and household formations, continue to strengthen.”–Mark Vitner, senior economist with Wells Fargo Securities, Charlotte, N.C.

“2016 is looking to be a stronger year for home renovation activity compared to 2015 thanks to the continued recovery in the owner-occupied housing market. In most markets across the country, rising house prices are bringing more homes to the market and increasing sales, which is a large driver of home improvement activity.”
–Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.