Appraisal Institute News | Appraisal Institute

Nov 14, 2018 12:30 PM

Divided US Government Not Expected to Generate Major CRE Legislation

With a Republican-controlled Senate and a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, no significant commercial real estate-related legislation is expected to pass, according to a GlobeSt.com analysis reported Nov. 7. Among the issues expected to stall: additional deregulation, further loosening of Dodd-Frank and more tax changes.

Nov 14, 2018 12:30 PM

FHFA Sets 2019 Multifamily Lending Caps for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Nov. 6 that the 2019 multifamily lending caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will remain virtually unchanged at $35 billion each. The caps are based on the FHFA’s estimates of next year’s multifamily originations market, which the agency anticipates will be relatively flat.

Nov 14, 2018 12:30 PM

Experts Say Co-working Space Wont Upend Office Sector or Threaten REITs

Shared workspace provider WeWork has 12.5 million square feet in its portfolio, but experts don’t see it and similar co-working firms as threats to real estate investment trusts because the firms don’t occupy enough space to replace traditional office landlords or long-term tenants, National Real Estate Investor reported Nov. 6.

Nov 07, 2018 12:30 PM

Weakening Housing Market Resembles 2006, Says Economist Robert Shiller

The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index released Oct. 31 showed that home price gains have moderated, with Robert Shiller saying the weakening market reminds him of 2006 before the bubble burst, MarketWatch reported. However, Shiller noted that he doesn’t expect a crisis as severe this time.

Nov 07, 2018 12:30 PM

Fed Proposes Varied Risk-based Supervisory Standards for Large Banks

The Federal Reserve on Oct. 31 unveiled its proposed plan for applying standards to banks with at least $100 billion in assets, ABA Banking Journal reported. The plan involves assessing institutional risk and then grouping banks into one of four newly created categories based on that risk.

Nov 07, 2018 12:30 PM

Institutional-quality CRE Returns, Cap Rates Drop, NCREIF Index Shows

Institutional-quality commercial real estate returned 1.67 percent in the third quarter, down from 1.81 percent the previous quarter, and cap rates fell to their lowest level in the index’s history, according to the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Property Index released Nov. 1, MBA NewsLink reported.

Oct 31, 2018 12:30 PM

Millennials Most Likely to Purchase a Haunted Home, Realtor.com Reveals

Millennials are most likely to purchase a haunted home — provided there are incentives, such as a good price, a desirable neighborhood or a large kitchen, Realtor.com reported Oct. 23. Eighteen percent of people said they would purchase a haunted home without any incentives, while 49 percent said no way, no how.

Oct 31, 2018 12:30 PM

Banks Say New FHA Appraisal Rule on HECMs Has Had Minor Impact

Lenders say the new Federal Housing Administration rule requiring a second appraisal for HECM loans have had minimal impact, with only about 15 percent of loans being flagged as possibly having an inflated property valuation, HousingWire reported Oct. 23. Lenders noted that they typically receive an answer within 24 hours.

Oct 31, 2018 12:30 PM

MBA Data Shows Multifamily Lending Reached New Record High Last Year

Multifamily lending last year reached a record $285 billion for buildings with five or more units — a 6 percent increase from the previous year, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Oct. 25 in its annual multifamily lending market report. The top multifamily lenders were Wells Fargo, CBRE Capital Markets and JPMorgan Chase.

Oct 24, 2018 12:30 PM

Federal Agencies Release FAQs Clarifying Appraisal, Evaluation Rules

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on Oct. 16 published answers to frequently asked questions about appraisals and evaluations for real estate transactions that are covered by the interagency appraisal rules.