Appraisal Institute News

Oct 09, 2019 12:30 PM

FHFA, Treasury to Allow Fannie, Freddie to Retain Capital

The Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Treasury Department announced Sept. 30 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be allowed to retain up to $45 billion in capital as they prepare to exit conservatorship, HousingWire reported. The Trump administration previously indicated that it opposed a profit sweep of the government-sponsored enterprises.

Oct 09, 2019 12:30 PM

CRE Performs Inconsistently, But Should Thrive Through Year-end, Report Shows

A review of mid-year commercial real estate showed spreads and divergence in property sectors, but performance for the rest of the year should thrive, according to the U.S. Real Estate Summary report released Oct. 1 by UBS Asset Management, Commercial Property Executive reported. The report showed minimal movement in cap rates and a drop in 10-year Treasury rates.

Oct 02, 2019 02:39 PM

Banking Committee Leaders Seek Answers on Appraisal Waiver

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on Sept. 24 submitted a letter to the Appraisal Subcommittee seeking answers about its July decision to grant a waiver of appraiser certification and licensing to the state of North Dakota. The letter expressed “surprise and concern” about the “unprecedented” waiver.

Oct 02, 2019 02:38 PM

Investors Push Down Industrial Cap Rates, CBRE Survey Shows

Investors in search of yield are putting money into industrial properties in secondary and tertiary markets, which is causing cap rate compression there, according to the first half 2019 cap rate survey released Sept. 24 by real estate firm CBRE, National Real Estate Investor reported.

Oct 02, 2019 02:35 PM

Rise in Co-working Spaces May Make Next Recession Worse, Boston Fed Reports

The increase in co-working space could be a source of financial instability and make the next recession worse by sparking a run on commercial real estate, Eric Rosengren, president of the Boston Federal Reserve, told an audience at New York University Sept. 20, Reuters reported. Rosengren expressed concern that the financial strength of the co-working model hasn’t been tested.

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Trump Asks Supreme Court for More Authority Over CFPB

The Trump administration on Sept. 17 asked the Supreme Court to take up a pending appeal and rule that the president has constitutional authority to fire the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Bloomberg reported. The 2010 law that established the CFPB states the director can only be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Multifamily Cap Rates Rise in Cities with Rent Control: RCA

More than 80% of markets with rent-control regulation saw an increase in cap rates on multifamily properties during the past year as investors pay less for properties, according to analytics firm Real Capital Analytics, National Real Estate Investor reported Sept. 17. In many markets, investors are spooked by the potential for additional regulation.

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Life Insurance Companies Want to Increase Multifamily Lending, Holdings, MBA Reports

Life insurance companies said they want to increase their multifamily lending volume by approximately $10 billion next year, and ultimately hold between $50 billion and $120 billion in loans backed by multifamily properties over the next five years, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Sept. 16.

Sep 20, 2019 08:00 AM

Appraisal Institute Praises House for Passing Valuation-Related Bills

The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today applauded the U.S. House for passing consumer-friendly legislation that will address long-standing concerns surrounding residential appraisals.

Sep 18, 2019 11:45 AM

NCREIF Issues Agricultural Appraisal Guidelines

The National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries released its Agricultural Appraisal Guidelines Sept. 11. Developed by members of the NCREIF Farmland Committee with input from organizations such as the Appraisal Institute, the guidelines are intended to provide clearly defined standards for appraisers, but are not intended to replace any current valuation requirements.