Economy

Florida's first-ever — and short-lived — climate change czar set a clear priority for the state: Protect the real estate market.

The FHFA's director said the announcement is meant to “combat ongoing misinformation” about efforts to let homeowners skip mortgage payments due to the coronavirus pandemic.

FHFA Director Mark Calabria stated that he was directing the GSEs to "add liquidity" to the markets, but the actions of the FHFA say precisely the opposite.

The advertisements are meant to entice: A month of free rent in a high-end apartment in downtown St. Petersburg. A free pool at a new housing development in Tampa. A $20 Amazon gift card for taking a virtual tour.

Correspondent loan sellers are hoping the new GSE purchases will help to open a market frozen by coronavirus-related risk — but the prices offered so far aren't too promising.

The Treasury secretary said recent government moves will help the firms get through the risk of millions of borrowers missing their loan payments.

Mortgage rates were little changed this week as the markets reacted positively to various economic measures coming out of Washington, according to Freddie Mac.

Sales volumes fell by over 50% in some states since the shelter-in-place mandate started, according to HouseCanary.

The policy move will allow small institutions participating in the Paycheck Protection Program to pledge business loans as collateral to obtain advances.

Treating COVID-19 forbearances as a natural disaster will likely mean the MIs will not need to hold as much capital.