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...
With interest rates dropping 4 reasons there will be a large increase in foreclosures?

With interest rates dropping 4 reasons there will be a large increase in foreclosures?

    The market keeps predicting a goldilocks scenario with 100% certainty where inflation falls without much if any impact on residential real estate.  The “soft landing” will occur at the same time interest rates have skyrocketed and supposedly the consumer...
Fed reverses course, interest rates fall, my servicing data tells a different story

Fed reverses course, interest rates fall, my servicing data tells a different story

  Although the graph above looks like an old Atari game, it is the Federal reserve dot plot which shows a profound shift.  Ironically, just a few weeks ago the Federal Reserve was touting higher rates for longer.  Now the federal reserve has done a 180 and has...
2024 National Real Estate predictions, will prices continue falling?

2024 National Real Estate predictions, will prices continue falling?

Before getting into my predictions, the chart above is indicative of the mixed signals in the economy. Prices are rising on cardboard due to increased consumer demand. How is demand for cardboard rising if consumer spending is slowing along with inflation?  The answer...
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...
2023 and 2024 mortgage rate predictions

2023 and 2024 mortgage rate predictions

In a WSJ survey, economists lower recession probability below 50% and say Fed is finished raising interest rates It has been quite a ride for mortgage rates over the last two years.  As of this writing mortgage rates were around 7.5% (with no points) which is quite...