Clearest sign yet commercial real estate is in big trouble

Clearest sign yet commercial real estate is in big trouble

Foreclosures are surging in a risky corner of commercial real-estate finance, offering one of the most profound signs yet that turmoil in the commercial property market is just beginning.  Lenders this year have issued a record number of foreclosure notices for...
Lock in effect thawing: more houses coming on the market

Lock in effect thawing: more houses coming on the market

There is a theory that locked in low mortgage rates will force owners to stay in their houses.  This has led to a huge shortage of inventory throughout the country.  Why is the “lock in effect” starting to wind down?  What does this mean for real estate prices over...
One metric for risk is off the charts, impact on real estate

One metric for risk is off the charts, impact on real estate

  It is interesting that the market continues to focus on interest rates and employment as the barometer for the economy while totally ignoring one metric.  As a lender I just did a year end analysis on our portfolio and one metric jumped off the page increasing...
Federal government now considers $1.2m low/moderate income housing

Federal government now considers $1.2m low/moderate income housing

What do the increased conforming loan limits mean for real estate? The federal government (aka you the taxpayer) now backs mortgages up to 1.15m. The maximum size of home-mortgage loans eligible for backing by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has jumped sharply over the...
CPI falls, Fed likely done raising

CPI falls, Fed likely done raising

  What does the recent CPI fall  mean for mortgage rates and real estate prices?   A broad slowdown in inflation continued in October, likely ending the Federal Reserve’s historic interest rate increases. The slowdown came below most median estimates and the...
Job gains shatter expectation; impact on real estate

Job gains shatter expectation; impact on real estate

The economists forecasting the jobs data missed big time, with the recent jobs report almost double their predictions.  Why is job growth still surging while interest rates hit 20 year highs.  What does this mean for future interest rate increases?  Does this change...