Economy

The FHFA and FHA both announced for the second time that they were delaying the freeze to protect borrowers and renters during the coronavirus pandemic.

Home construction starts rose less than forecast in May, suggesting builders were slow to resume work even as states across the country began to reopen.

The report by Unison also advised investors to focus on "diversified residential real estate" over traditional retail and office spaces.

The number of clicks for Dallas-Fort Worth home searches is surging.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency was supposed to finalize its original proposal this month, but will redraft it because it was drawn up before the coronavirus emerged as a concern.

As they prepare to exit government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have enlisted the investment banks to help them boost capital and evaluate market opportunities.

The agency flagged faulty risk management and other issues at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco in exams conducted last year.

A Clever Real Estate survey found a significant share of new borrowers are not making their full payment.

Anyone who has been watching real estate in Palm Beach, Fla., over the past several weeks has seen the number of new contracts — and closed sales — attest to the remarkable vibrancy of the market in chaotic times.

But deal sponsors are primarily restricting property assets to the lower risk multifamily and office buildings that lenders are more confident will weather the economic strains brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic brought more attention to the affordable housing issue and illuminated already vulnerable, low-income populations.

The measures extended by the Federal Housing Finance Agency include alternative methods used for certain appraisals and for verification of employment.

The expected rise in refinance volume overrides pessimism about purchase activity for their businesses.

The Federal Housing Administration's move to insure loans with forbearance could help support homeownership opportunities constrained by the coronavirus if one change was made to it, trade groups said.

The coronavirus market disruption actually caused the company's execs to speed up its return.

Now the shutdown has stretched into mid-June, effectively canceling the long-anticipated Memorial Day listings bonanza.

Looming economic uncertainties forced mortgage lenders to tighten underwriting standards in May.

As brick-and-mortar shopping centers steadily lost market share to online competitors, the family behind three of the four biggest malls in North America built a thriving business by infusing their properties with heavy doses of entertainment.

The FHFA’s proposal is intended to strengthen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but many experts warn that it could boost guarantee fees for lenders that they say may be passed on to borrowers.

About 9% of government-insured loans in forbearance have low equity, which could hamper post-forbearance servicing.