According to what nationalmortgagenews tells MHProNews, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry says the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the “specialist examiner” while the other three regulatory agencies are “general practitioners.” Speaking to consumer compliance examiners, he stresses the importance of regulators working together on Dodd-Frank because “Some of …
According to nationalmortgagenews, newly elected Representative John Delaney (D-MD) will take his seat on the House Financial Services Committee with an eye on reforming the nation’s housing finance system and reducing government intervention. With a background including establishment of a healthcare finance company and organizer of BancAlliance, a community loan …
Freshman Congressman (and Banker) Sets Sights on Housing Read More
CNNMoney says the S&P CaseShiller home price index (HPI) of 20 major metropolitan markets indicates prices in Nov. were up 5.5 percent over Nov. 2011, the largest monthly increase since Aug. 2006, before the housing balloon deflated. As MHProNews understands, rising prices means fewer homeowners will be underwater on their …
Door and Window Market Magazine states a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University indicates the market for remodeling is being stimulated by foreclosures being revitalized, seniors retrofitting their homes in response to changing needs, and energy conscious homeowners making their homes more sustainable. Homeowners over …
According to nationalmortgagenews, new home sales in Dec. 2012 dropped 7.3 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 369,000 units from 398,000 in Nov., which marked a two-and-a-half-year high. The Census Bureau estimates new home sales increased 20 percent from 2011 to 367,000 units for 2012. While there were …
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the demand for housingfor those 55 and older will increase through 2020 as the boomers age. Says the NAHB’s Paul Emrath, “We expect to see an increased demand for 55+ housing as more baby boomers turn 55 and seek homes and communities …
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) informs MHProNews multifamily will continue to lead the recovery of the overall housing market in the coming years, now standing at 70 percent of the way back to a sustainable level. NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe says, “We are forecasting construction of 299,000 …
CNNMoney reports according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) sales of previously owned homes in 2012 recorded their best year since 2007, nine percent over 2011, to 4.65 million homes sold. As MHProNews has learned, Dec. year-over-year sales were up 12.8 percent. NAR says low interest rates, falling unemployment, …
CNNMoney informs MHProNews that first-time jobless claims fell to 335,000 for the week ending Jan. 12, falling to a near five-year low, and 37,000 less than the previous week, according to the Labor Dept. While economists had expected a reading of 370,000, they say it is a good sign but …
As the nationalmortgagenews tells MHProNews, while the much-awaited Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Qualified Mortgage rule issued Jan. 10 covers rules to determine borrowers’ ability to repay loans and lenders’ protection from liability, it fails to address a required minimum downpayment. Regulators had originally proposed a 20% minimum, but need …
The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) reports the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a final rule on the testing of roof trusses in high wind zones for manufactured housing, and is following some of the recommendations made by the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC). …
CNNMoney says the Census Bureau reports new home construction rose 12 percent Dec. 2012 over Nov. 2012 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 954,000, well beyond the 889,000 expected by economists at Briefing.com, and almost 37 percent higher than Dec. 2011. While applications for building permits in Dec. changed …
From HousingWire comes news that all 12 Federal Reserve districts indicate the economy is growing, at least moderately, in their areas, according to the Beige Book. Loan demand grew in New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta but fell slightly in St. Louis. While posting a modicum of growth in loan …
CNNMoney informs MHProNews the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Narayana Kocherlakota, says the Fed should do more to lower the unemployment rate. “I would say that my outlook for unemployment and my outlook for inflation both point to a need for more accommodation than is currently being …
NationalMortgageNews reports on a seasonally adjusted basis, purchase applications rose 13 percent over the week ending Jan. 4, but are up 47 percent on an unadjusted basis, their highest level since April 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Noting home sales burgeoning in Calif. in Dec. because of …
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports the market for newly built, single-family homes remained at 47 on the Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for Jan., following eight consecutive monthly gains. As MHProNews has learned, the HMI is at its highest point since April 2006, right before the …
According to Consumer Bankers Association CEO Richard Hunt, financial industry leaders and bankers are saying the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) bank examiners are inexperienced, inefficient and take up to nine months to score routine audits, which interferes with lending. As the olympian tells MHProNews, if lenders create a new …
Speaking at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, HousingWire reports Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke defended the Federal Open Market Committee’s open-ended quantitative easing, saying holding interest rates down keeps budget debts lower. Raising rates would complicate Congress’ upcoming budget negotiations. As MHProNews has learned, the committee …
According to HousingWire, CoreLogic offers the following housing scorecard for 2012: 4.2 million home sales, up from 3.9 million in 2011, a six percent increase; first year-over-year sales increase since 2005; REO (real estate-owned) house sales fell 20% to 600,000; new home sales rose three percent to 300,000; short sales …
NationalMortgageNews tells MHProNews Lender Processing Services (LPS) estimates 2.6 million Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans may yet be eligible for financing through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). 50 percent of these have credit scores of 720 or above, including 670,000 with interest rates above six percent. Since the …
Ten Million Borrowers Remain Eligible to Lower Rates Read More
