Economy

A historic house now for sale near the University of Arizona boasts "gorgeous architecture" and a "fabulous interior," but there's one major drawback: It's a lousy place to hide out from the coppers.

The Federal Open Market Committee lowered the fed funds rate target to between zero and ¼% in an emergency meeting on Sunday, but while analysts say the move was needed, they feel it will take more to offset the effects of COVID-19.

The social and economic impact of the coronavirus, not necessarily Covid-19 itself, has homebuyers and sellers on edge and is changing the way Realtors do business.

Increased refinancing volume led Fannie Mae to raise its 2020 estimate by $300 billion and 2021 projection by $280 billion.

Median prices for Maui homes sold last month moved modestly, but in opposite directions for single-family houses and condominiums, according to the Realtors Association of Maui.

Banks may be protected from a direct hit, but they have invested in vehicles that include such loans, potentially exposing them to defaults.

With the return of volume and profitability to mortgage lending, it is no surprise that commercial banks are coming back to the market.

Buying a home became slightly more attractive compared to renting in the fourth quarter, as the likelihood of another huge value drop decreased, an index from two Florida universities found.

The real estate market appears to be recovering in Monroe County, Pa., as home values are up and days on market are down.

Home sales in Lafayette Parish, La., set a record in February and is outpacing the region when it comes to year-over-year growth.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac coming out of conservatorship and transitioning into public utilities would be the ideal for small mortgage lenders, according to trade-organization representative Robert Zimmer.

While clients are uneasy about the spread of coronavirus, Kelly King touted the added volume his company has seen from lower rates.

Nearly all the main components of home sale statistics on Hawaii island and Kauai rose last month, according to a report released last week.

Mortgage companies that borrow heavily to keep their operations running may face financial pressure from coronavirus-related market volatility as it affects the valuations of collateral securing their financing.

Canadian housing starts remained at elevated levels in February, amid strength in the detached-home market.

Mortgage rates, which fell to a 50-year low last week, are keeping Oahu's real estate market relatively strong even as uncertainties mount over the economic impacts of coronavirus outbreaks.

The 10-year Treasury yield fell below 0.5% and the 30-year yield dropped under 0.9%, taking the whole U.S. yield curve below 1% for the first time in history.

Unity National Bank of Houston, which has reported losses three straight years, is receiving guidance and resources from Citigroup through a Treasury mentoring program.

Nonbank mortgage employment fell in January, but could subsequently surge as lenders seek to capture business while rates are low, the job outlook is favorable, and the coronavirus is contained.

The dollar amount of fix-and-flip properties purchased using financing reached a 13-year high in 2019, but the share of flips financed was lower year-over-year, according to Attom Data Solutions.