Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHFA have finalized updates to their existing social bond frameworks, renaming them the Mission Index to offer investors ‘greater insight into mission-oriented lending activities’ within their mortgage-backed securities. The...
Read MoreIn a move that is intended to lower borrowing costs for homeowners, Fannie Mae plans to expand the acceptance of attorney-opinion letters as an alternative to title insurance. The Biden Administration has directed Fannie Mae...
Read MoreAccording to a recent Fannie Mae Home Price Sentiment Index survey released on January 8, consumer optimism increased 2.9 points in December to 67.2, illustrating consumers’ confidence for homebuying. According to the survey, this sentiment...
Read More19.6% of the office space in major U.S. cities was vacant in Q4 2023 according to Moody’s Analytics, an 18.8% increase year-over-year from 2022. These vacancy rates can be attributed to both years of overbuilding...
Read MoreMortgage rates finished 2023 with 9 consecutive weekly drops, setting the 30-year fixed rate at 6.61%. This trend hints at a more stable housing market, which could impact lending strategies and expectations for a modestly...
Read MoreThe apartment rental market stabilized in 2023, amid a surge of new supply that curbed price hikes, offering relief to tenants. Affordability remains a concern among renters who hit their financial thresholds after enduring years...
Read MoreHigher interest rates and home costs have led to an increase in mortgage assumptions – whereby homebuyers undertake an existing mortgage from the seller – to lock in a lower rate. Mortgage assumptions, which are...
Read MoreOn November 28, the FHFA announced the 2024 conforming loan limit values for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs). The limit increased to $766.550 for single unit properties, up 5.5% from the current limit...
Read MoreOne out of every three securitized office mortgages that expired during the first nine months of 2023 was paid off by the end of September, according to Moody’s Analytics. This share is well below that...
Read MoreDelve into an in-depth analysis exploring recent fluctuations in U.S. home prices and mortgage interest rates authored by W. Scott Frame, Chief Economist & Head of Policy at Structured Finance Association, and Kristopher Gerardi, Senior...
Read MoreAccording to the Wall Street Journal, foreclosures on higher-risk commercial property loans – particularly mezzanine loans – are increasing. Mezzanine financing, which often serves as second-lien debt, allows borrowers to meet tighter bank underwriting standards....
Read MoreProposals to convert vacant office space to multifamily housing face financing and development challenges. Support from the government through tax incentives and grants may not be enough for investors to get on board, as residential...
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