American Banker, Mar. 25, 2021–Kate Berry (subscription)The FHFA’s forbearance extension to September is forcing nonbank servicers to buy out more delinquent loans. It’s also upended loss estimates for investors and …
Category: Top National News
Our Urban Affordability Crisis is Going Nationwide
Mortgage Professional America, Mar. 25, 2021–David KitaiThe urban affordability crisis that defined much of the last decade looks like it’s expanding nationwide. A new study from the Mortgage Bankers Association …
Home Improvement Spending Up 3.5% in 2020 Despite Disrupted Financing
National Mortgage News, Mar. 25, 2021–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Renovation expenditures faced challenges last year, but managed to increase over 2019 and will likely climb further in 2021, according to a report …
Real Estate Makes Last-Minute Push to Kill Proposed Preferred Equity Tax
The Real Deal, March 25, 2021–Erin HudsonReal estate players are using a letter-writing campaign and threats of lawsuits to try to stop a tax on preferred equity investors from advancing …
Door is Shut to Millions of American Homeowners in Need of Mortgage Relief as Pandemic Enters Year 2
MarketWatch, Mar. 23, 2021–Eleanor LaiseSome 14.5 million single-family home loans are privately owned, with no federal backing, and occupy a gray area when it comes to government programs delaying foreclosure …
Housing Vouchers Have Helped Tenants and Landlords Weather the Pandemic
Urban Institute, Mar. 23, 2021–Jung Hyun Choi, Laurie GoodmanA UI analysis of survey results found that tenants with vouchers owe less back rent, and landlords have had positive experiences with …
Loan Modifications Have Been Key to Keeping Deals Going, Mortgage Bankers Say
RE Business Online, Mar. 23, 2021–Taylor WilliamsThe nuts and bolts of dealing with elevated requests for loan modifications were central topics at the “Commercial Mortgage Stress in the Age of …
Distressed Borrower Communication Rules on Track for Now: CFPB
National Mortgage News, Mar. 22, 2021–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s acting director has said he could rethink the pending Fair Debt Collection Practices Act rules, but a report …
The CFPB’s New Team Has a Message for Banks It Regulates: We’re Back
Bloomberg, Mar. 23, 2021–Jeff Kearns, Hannah LevittWith a new boss on the way, the consumer protection agency is knocking on doors and asking tough questions.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-23/biden-s-cfpb-head-rohit-chopra-expected-to-be-tougher-than-trump-s-on-banks?srnd=premium
The Pandemic Has Boosted Homeownership and Home-Related Spending
Dartmouth University, March 22, 2021–Kirk KardashianDartmouth University Professor Brian Melzer studied the close connection between home buying and spending on durable goods such as furniture, appliances and home-improvement items. The …