Industry News | Appraisal Institute

CFPB Asks Congress for Major Reforms that Reduce Agency's Independence

Mick Mulvaney, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, asked Congress to enact major reforms to reduce the agency's independence, HousingWire reported April 2. Mulvaney specifically targeted bureau funding, which he wants to fold into the congressional appropriations process; funding currently comes from the Federal Reserve.

Apr 11, 2018 12:30 PM

Data Shows No Shortage of Investor Interest in the Self Storage Sector

Investor interest in self-storage properties is high, with sale prices rising and cap rates averaging 6.3 percent during the fourth quarter, down from 6.5 percent the previous year, according to analytics firm RCA, National Real Estate Investor reported April 3.

Apr 04, 2018 12:30 PM

Fannie, Freddie Single Mortgage-backed Security Arrives in June

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced March 28 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on June 3 will start issuing the long-awaited single mortgage-back security, called the uniform mortgage-backed security. The UMBS replaces TBA-eligible mortgage-backed securities; more than 90 percent of agency MBS trading occurs in the TBA market.

Apr 04, 2018 12:30 PM

Barclays to Pay $2 Billion to Settle RMBS Fraud Charges

Barclays will pay the U.S. government $2 billion to settle charges it misled investors about the quality of mortgages in $31 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities that it sold in the lead up to the housing crisis, HousingWire reported March 29.

Apr 04, 2018 12:30 PM

Investors Favor Suburban Offices

Investors want suburban office properties, spending $83.1 billion on acquisitions last year, a 2 percent increase from the year before, according to real estate services firm Colliers International, GlobeSt.com reported March 26. Conversely, investment in office properties in central business districts fell 21 percent last year to $48.8 billion.

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board Seeks Dismissal of FTC Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission announced Jan. 10 that it will hear oral arguments next month on motions filed by the FTC and the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. The LREAB in November filed a motion to dismiss the complaint filed against it by the FTC, while the FTC filed motions for partial summary judgment and for opposition to the LREAB's motion to dismiss.

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

FDIC Survey Finds Fewer High-risk Banks, Newer Credit Risks

About one in 10 banks are considered high credit risk, a significant drop from 2010 when 42 percent of banks were high-risk, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported Jan. 10 in its credit survey, according to ABA Banking Journal. However, the survey identified new credit risks, including some affecting commercial real estate.

Jan 17, 2018 12:30 PM

Fed Mulls Significant Policy Changes

Markets are performing well, but Fed officials reportedly are concerned about another recession and are contemplating significant policy changes, including eliminating the 2 percent inflation target, CNBC reported Jan. 10. Another option under consideration: price-level targeting, where interest rates would remain lower for longer periods and avoid zero altogether.

Dec 06, 2017 12:30 PM

Bank Request for Appraisal Waiver has Huge Implications

A community bank in Tennessee has submitted a request to the Appraisal Subcommittee seeking a one-year waiver from appraisal regulation requirements to use a certified appraiser, the Appraisal Institute learned Nov. 29. If the waiver is approved, it would apply to all institutions, not just the requesting organization.

Sep 20, 2017 12:30 PM

Ginnie Mae Investigates Lenders for Targeting Military Members

Ginnie Mae is investigating allegations that lenders pressured current military members and veterans into unnecessary mortgage refinancing in order to reap high fees from the process, Bloomberg reported Sept. 14. The loans in question are tied to Ginnie securities, which support loans made through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.