Industry News

May 26, 2021 12:30 PM

IRS Rejects Developer-led Attempts to Expand 8,700 Opportunity Zone Boundaries

Despite developer efforts to have boundaries expanded for nearly 8,700 opportunity zones, the IRS said the zones are established and not subject to change, The Real Deal reported May 17. Both developers and investors sought to expand the areas where opportunity zone investments — and tax breaks — could be claimed after Census Bureau maps were updated.

Oct 06, 2020 12:30 PM

Retail, Office and Industrial Cap Rates at New Lows: Report

Cap rates in the single-tenant, net lease retail, office and industrial sectors reached record lows during the third quarter, down 19, 10 and 11 basis points, respectively, from the second quarter, real estate firm The Boulder Group reported Oct. 2 in its Q3 Net Lease Market Report. The drop is mainly due to the Fed’s announcement that interest rates will remain near zero at least through 2023.

Aug 05, 2020 12:30 PM

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Update Appraisal Guidance FAQ

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on July 29 released an updated FAQ document that provides temporary guidance to appraisers on several policy areas in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. The document updates guidance on the use of photos in reports for exterior-only appraisals and provides new guidance on UCC-1 financing statements and waivers for exterior-only or desktop appraisals.

Jun 17, 2020 12:30 PM

Federal Reserve Plans to Keep Buying Assets and Hold Benchmark Rate Steady Until 2023

The Federal Reserve said it plans to continue purchasing Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities at its current weekly pace of around $22 billion in order to stimulate the economy, MarketWatch reported June 10. The Fed also said that it expects to maintain its benchmark interest rate until 2023.

Jun 17, 2020 12:30 PM

States Could See Double-digit Property Value Drops: Report

Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming likely will be hardest-hit due to the coronavirus pandemic and could see double-digit drops in commercial property valuations, according to a report from data firm Reonomy, National Real Estate Investor reported June 8. The economies in those states are heavily dependent on the struggling travel, entertainment or energy sectors.

FHFA Extends Appraisal Loan Processing Flexibilities

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced June 11 that it is extending until at least July 31 several loan origination flexibilities offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to assist borrowers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Alternative appraisals on purchase and rate term refinance loans are among the extended items.

Jun 10, 2020 12:30 PM

7.4M Properties at Risk to Summer Storm Surge: CoreLogic

More than 7 million single-family homes and 250,000 multifamily residences along the Atlantic Seaboard and the Gulf Coast are at risk for storm damage this year, according to the Storm Surge Report from analytics firm CoreLogic, MBA NewsLink reported June 3. The reconstruction cost value could top $1.7 trillion for single-family homes and $95 billion for multifamily properties.

Jun 10, 2020 12:30 PM

US Economy Expected to Begin Recovery in Q3: ABA Forecast

The U.S. economy is expected to drop about 6% this year, but will start to recover in the third quarter, according to a forecast released by the American Bankers Association on May 29. Predicting a recovery is difficult, however, because consumers typically account for 70% of the U.S. economy, and it’s unknown when their normal activity will resume.

Jun 10, 2020 12:30 PM

Industrial Sector Demand Grows Due to COVID-19-related E-commerce Boost: Report

The transition from bricks-and-mortar retail to online shopping has accelerated due to the coronavirus pandemic, with e-commerce growing at an annual rate of 20% and driving demand for as much as 400 million-square-feet of new industrial space, according to real estate firm Confluent Development, National Real Estate Investor reported June 1.

Jun 03, 2020 12:30 PM

COVID-19 Less Damaging to CRE than Great Recession: ULI

Commercial real estate markets and property values are expected to be less affected by a COVID-19-related recession than they were by the Great Recession, with the exceptions being hospitality and retail, according an Urban Land Institute survey, GlobeSt.com reported May 26. The survey noted an expected $275 billion drop in real estate transaction volume this year.