Appraisal Institute News

Nov 27, 2019 12:30 PM

Industrial Real Estate Sector Starting to Exhibit Signs of Slowdown, Reis Data Shows

The industrial sector may be cooling off, according to real estate research firm Reis, National Real Estate Investor reported Nov. 21. Industrial tenants are expected to absorb about 50% less space over the next two years than was absorbed during the past two, and 18 markets saw negative net absorption during the third quarter.

Nov 20, 2019 12:30 PM

IRS Boosts Enforcement of Syndicated Conservation Easements

The IRS announced Nov. 12 that it’s ramping up enforcement actions for syndicated conservation easement transactions, looking for overstated values from more than a billion dollars in easements donated to charity. The IRS says it intends to end “abusive” transactions that defraud the government of revenue and undermine efforts at private land conservation.

Nov 20, 2019 12:30 PM

Public Offering of Shares in Fannie and Freddie May Be Available By 2021: FHFA

A large public offering of shares in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will probably be ready by 2021 or 2022, according to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria, National Real Estate Investor reported Nov. 13. Calabria said he expects the FHFA to have a rule dictating capital requirements in place before the enterprises go to market.

Nov 13, 2019 12:30 PM

Widespread Acceptance of Digital Mortgages Years Off: Fitch

Concerns over enforceability, technology and security could delay broad acceptance of digital mortgages for several years, according to ratings agency Fitch Ratings, HousingWire reported Nov. 5. While some government and mortgage industry entities have made progress, the use and acceptance of electronic promissory notes remains a big hurdle.

Nov 13, 2019 12:30 PM

WeWork May Leave Landlords with Empty Space, Bills: Report

Some landlords who signed leases with beleaguered co-working operator WeWork may be left with both vacant space and the bills for tenant improvements because the We Company structured its leases through LLCs that are not guaranteed by its holding company, according to real estate advisory firm George Smith Partners, National Real Estate Investor reported Nov. 12.

Nov 13, 2019 12:30 PM

FHFA Seeks Public Feedback on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac UMBS Pooling Practices

The Federal Housing Finance Agency on Nov. 4 issued a Request For Input on pooling practices for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in preparation for new uniform mortgage-backed securities. The agency also is seeking input by Dec. 19 about other policies that might impact UMBS fungibility, including oversight of UMBS prepayment speeds and alignment.

Nov 06, 2019 12:30 PM

DOJ, HUD Ease Off False Claims Act, Eye More FHA Lending

The government will limit use of the False Claims Act against mortgage providers in pursuit of settlements related to Federal Housing Administration loans, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson told attendees at the Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Conference Oct. 28 in Austin, Texas, HousingWire reported. HUD wants to coax big banks back to FHA lending.

Nov 06, 2019 12:30 PM

Fed Cuts Interest Rates, But Says No More Reductions Coming Unless Economy Worsens

The Federal Reserve on Oct. 30 cut interest rates for the third time this year, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that monetary policy is in a good place and no further rate reductions would occur unless the economy gets worse, Reuters reported. In contrast, President Trump is advocating further rate cutting.

Oct 30, 2019 12:30 PM

Fannie, Freddie Shareholders Could Be "Wiped Out:" FHFA

Mark Calabria, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, told the House Financial Services Committee Oct. 22 that he’s willing to “wipe out” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders if necessary to protect taxpayers from another bailout, HousingWire reported. The government-sponsored enterprises have been in conservatorship since 2008.

Oct 30, 2019 12:30 PM

Supreme Court Will Hear Case on Constitutionality of CFPB

The Supreme Court announced Oct. 18 it will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and a decision is expected by June, CNBC reported. The case alleges that the structure of the CFPB gives its director too much power, in violation of the Constitution’s separation of powers clause.

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AI News

Industrial Real Estate Sector Starting to Exhibit Signs of Slowdown, Reis Data Shows

IRS Boosts Enforcement of Syndicated Conservation Easements

Public Offering of Shares in Fannie and Freddie May Be Available By 2021: FHFA

Widespread Acceptance of Digital Mortgages Years Off: Fitch

WeWork May Leave Landlords with Empty Space, Bills: Report

FHFA Seeks Public Feedback on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac UMBS Pooling Practices

DOJ, HUD Ease Off False Claims Act, Eye More FHA Lending

Fed Cuts Interest Rates, But Says No More Reductions Coming Unless Economy Worsens

Fannie, Freddie Shareholders Could Be "Wiped Out:" FHFA

Supreme Court Will Hear Case on Constitutionality of CFPB