Appraisal Institute News

Industrial Property Transactions See Price Growth for 5 Consecutive Quarters: Report

At least $3.6 billion in industrial property transactions closed in January as more than 400 properties changed hands — an unusual amount of activity for the start of the year, according to CommercialEdge, MBA NewsLink reported March 15. The average sales price for industrial properties has increased for five consecutive quarters, reaching $135 per foot in January, up from $119 during the fourth quarter.

Conflict in Ukraine Likely to Effect US Housing: Fannie Mae

The conflict in Ukraine could result in significant risks to the U.S. housing market, Fannie Mae’s Economic and Strategic Research Group reported March 17. The 30-year fixed rate is expected to rise to 3.8% this year and 3.9% next year. Meanwhile, housing sales are expected to decline 4.1% this year.

Mar 23, 2022 08:30 AM

Freddie Mac Phasing Out Automated Appraisal Waivers

Freddie Mac announced March 16 that it is phasing out automated collateral evaluation appraisal waivers for cash-out refinance mortgages and certain no-cash-out refinances. Effective July 17, ACE+ PDR will be utilized, allowing the aforementioned refinancing to be completed without appraisals. The new offering requires the on-site collection of property information by trained data collectors using Freddie Mac’s proprietary dataset.

Mar 09, 2022 08:30 AM

Washington, D.C., Property Tops List of Largest Delinquent Office Loans, Trepp Reports

The delinquency rate for office properties has not climbed above 3% for the past year, although it increased slightly in December to 2.53% before dropping to 2% in January, Trepp reported Feb. 23. However, some properties are in significant distress, with the $155 million Portals I office complex in Washington, D.C., atop the list of the largest delinquent CMBS loans.

Mar 09, 2022 08:30 AM

FHFA Allots Record $1.1B for Affordable Housing Programs

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Feb. 28 that the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund will receive $1.138 billion for use toward affordable housing programs administered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The amount is the most ever allotted to Fannie and Freddie. The Housing Trust Fund will receive $740 million and the Capital Magnet Fund will receive $398 million.

Mar 09, 2022 08:30 AM

Single-tenant Auto Sector Sees Annual Cap Rate Drop: Data

Cap rates for the single-tenant net lease auto sector dropped 49 basis points between the fourth quarter 2020 and fourth quarter 2021, The Boulder Group reported March 3 in its Q4 Net Lease Auto report. Overall market conditions in the sector led to the decline. Over the course of last year, the net lease retail sector experienced a 12 basis point decline.

Mar 02, 2022 08:30 AM

Office Tenants Want New Construction: Cushman & Wakefield

Newly constructed office buildings are commanding rent premiums of around 64% over existing Class A properties and 20% over trophy office assets, Cushman & Wakefield reported Feb. 22. Tenants are reportedly seeking energy-efficient projects with state-of-the-art systems and buildings that offer “elevated experiences.” Around 48.5 million square feet of new space is forecast to be delivered this year.

Mar 02, 2022 08:30 AM

Lenders Renewing Interest in Retail Properties — Even Enclosed Malls, Report Shows

Following several years of heavy lending on multifamily and industrial properties, lenders are now turning their attention to retail properties, WealthManagement.com reported Feb. 22. Loan originations for retail properties increased 73% last year, second only to industrial, which saw originations up 140%. While interest is mainly focused on proven retail sectors and properties, even enclosed malls are getting a second look.

Mar 02, 2022 08:30 AM

CFPB Seeks to Prevent Algorithmic Bias in AVMs

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Feb. 23 outlined several options it's considering to ensure that the computer models used to help determine home values are accurate. CFPB wants to protect against data manipulation, avoid conflicts of interest and institute random sample testing of automated valuation models.

Feb 23, 2022 08:30 AM

Non-bank Mortgage Servicers to See Greater Scrutiny: Fitch

The servicing practices of U.S. mortgage companies are expected to come under more regulatory scrutiny this year as pandemic-related government forbearance programs end and consumers move to other loss mitigation programs or default, according to Fitch, MBA NewsLink reported Feb. 8. Fitch anticipates that greater customer complaints will drive the closer evaluation.