Industry News

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Trump Asks Supreme Court for More Authority Over CFPB

The Trump administration on Sept. 17 asked the Supreme Court to take up a pending appeal and rule that the president has constitutional authority to fire the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Bloomberg reported. The 2010 law that established the CFPB states the director can only be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Multifamily Cap Rates Rise in Cities with Rent Control: RCA

More than 80% of markets with rent-control regulation saw an increase in cap rates on multifamily properties during the past year as investors pay less for properties, according to analytics firm Real Capital Analytics, National Real Estate Investor reported Sept. 17. In many markets, investors are spooked by the potential for additional regulation.

Sep 25, 2019 12:30 PM

Life Insurance Companies Want to Increase Multifamily Lending, Holdings, MBA Reports

Life insurance companies said they want to increase their multifamily lending volume by approximately $10 billion next year, and ultimately hold between $50 billion and $120 billion in loans backed by multifamily properties over the next five years, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Sept. 16.

Sep 20, 2019 08:00 AM

Appraisal Institute Praises House for Passing Valuation-Related Bills

The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today applauded the U.S. House for passing consumer-friendly legislation that will address long-standing concerns surrounding residential appraisals.

Sep 18, 2019 11:45 AM

NCREIF Issues Agricultural Appraisal Guidelines

The National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries released its Agricultural Appraisal Guidelines Sept. 11. Developed by members of the NCREIF Farmland Committee with input from organizations such as the Appraisal Institute, the guidelines are intended to provide clearly defined standards for appraisers, but are not intended to replace any current valuation requirements.

Sep 18, 2019 11:44 AM

Flex Office Space to Claim Bigger Market Slice: CBRE

The U.S. market for flexible office space is expected to boom during the next 10-plus years, according to a report released Sept. 12 by real estate firm CBRE. By 2030, flex space is expected to account for 13% of overall office space, up from 1.8% today, and total 600 million square feet, up from 71 million square feet.

Sep 18, 2019 11:42 AM

New York, Indiana Boast Top Office Construction Markets, According to Yardi Matrix

South Bend, Indiana, and the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are top metros for office construction in terms of supply as a percentage of existing stock, according to analytics firm Yardi Matrix, Commercial Property Executive reported Sept. 11. Brooklyn and Queens benefit from proximity to Manhattan while South Bend benefits from an expanding downtown.

Sep 17, 2019 08:00 AM

Don’t Like Your Home’s Appraisal? Here’s What You Can Do

Buyers and sellers who are concerned about a home’s appraisal have options available to them, the president of the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers said today.

Sep 11, 2019 12:30 PM

White House Unveils Plan to End Fannie, Freddie Control

The Trump administration on Sept. 5 shared its plan for releasing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from more than 10 years of government control, including the creation of new competitors, Bloomberg reported. The plan involves cooperation from multiple federal agencies and calls for reforms that protect the government-sponsored enterprises from another housing crash.

Sep 11, 2019 12:30 PM

Housing Sector Slow, Commercial Sector Steady: Beige Book

Home sales through the end of August remained slow in most fed districts due to ongoing housing inventory shortages and flat new home construction, the Federal Reserve reported Sept. 4 in its newest Beige Book. On the commercial side, construction and sales activity held steady, and leasing increased slightly.