Industry News

Aug 28, 2019 12:30 PM

LIBOR Replacement Remains Elusive for US Lenders: Fitch

The London Interbank Offered Rate is set to expire at the end of 2021, but a replacement for the short-term interest rate benchmark hasn’t been determined, HousingWire reported Aug. 20. Investor consent has been a problem for the phase-out of LIBOR, according to a group of trustees from Fitch Ratings’ U.S. RMBS Trustee Roundtable.

Dec 19, 2018 12:30 PM

Department of Veterans Affairs Drops Fannie Mae Form 1004MC Requirement

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Dec. 11 that, effective immediately, it will no longer require appraisers to include Fannie Mae Form 1004MC in VA appraisal reports. However, appraisers still are responsible for analyzing and accurately reporting market conditions.

Oct 17, 2018 12:30 PM

US Commercial Real Estate Likely to Benefit from Revised NAFTA: CBRE

The likely replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement is expected to increase the demand for U.S. commercial property, according to a special report from commercial real estate firm CBRE, MBA NewsLink reported Oct. 11. Industrial real estate should most benefit from the new trade agreement.

Oct 17, 2018 12:30 PM

Freddie Mac Offers Hurricane Michael Victims a Year of Mortgage Relief

Freddie Mac announced Oct. 10 that it will allow up to 12 months of mortgage forbearance for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Michael. The Category 4 storm was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States. Some analysts estimate property damage could cost the insurance industry up to $5 billion.

Oct 17, 2018 12:30 PM

A Recession is Possible, but Experts Say Housing Will Not Be the Cause

While the stock market remains volatile and another recession is possible, experts say that real estate likely won’t be the cause this time around, MarketWatch reported Oct. 10. Home prices have seen large gains in the last year, more renters are becoming buyers and builder confidence continues to increase.

Oct 10, 2018 12:30 PM

FHA Reports Appraisal Issues on 37 Percent of Reverse Mortgage Loans

The Federal Housing Administration announced Oct. 1 that its investigation into potential appraisal inflations on reverse mortgage loans found that 37 percent were off by at least 3 percent, HousingWire reported. From Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019, FHA will require a second appraisal on loans the agency deems to possibly have elevated valuations.

Oct 10, 2018 12:30 PM

Multifamily Investors Expect Demand to Drop due to Construction Supply

Multifamily investor demand is currently high, but investors could see a change because rent growth went flat in August for the first time in six years due to large amounts of supply under construction, HousingWire reported Oct. 3.

Oct 10, 2018 12:30 PM

Mall, Lifestyle Center Sectors Unfavorable, CoStar Report Finds

Second quarter space absorption for mall and lifestyle centers is negative with an annual supply growth of 0.6 percent and demand at 0.2 percent, according to analytics firm CoStar, National Real Estate Investor reported Oct. 3.

Oct 03, 2018 12:30 PM

FHA to Require Second Appraisal for Some Reverse Mortgage Applications

The Federal Housing Administration on Sept. 28 said it will require lenders that originate new Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, known as reverse mortgages, to provide a second property appraisal under certain circumstances. The requirement takes effect Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2019, unless extended.

Oct 03, 2018 12:30 PM

California Law Eases Intended User Restrictions for Some Appraisals

California Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 29 signed SB 70, legislation that allows the state’s appraisers to name intended users other than a client in a restricted appraisal report.