Big changes to Freddie seasoning requirements: how will this impact the housing market

Big changes to Freddie seasoning requirements: how will this impact the housing market

Beginning in March of 2023, Freddie Mac, the largest buyer of mortgages is drastically changing the seasoning requirements for any loans it purchases which basically means any new conventional conforming loan will have to follow the new rules.  What big changes are...
Mortgage demand plunges 13.2% to end 2022, are higher interest rates the only culprit

Mortgage demand plunges 13.2% to end 2022, are higher interest rates the only culprit

  The market currently has a fixation on interest rates.  Essentially whatever interest rates do the market reacts accordingly.  For example if rates rise, sales fall and vice versa.  Are rates really the driver of the slow down in real estate sales?  If rates...
Global Property Market Faces $175 Billion Debt Spiral: This cycle is different

Global Property Market Faces $175 Billion Debt Spiral: This cycle is different

I rarely say that Covid caused radical changes in behavior but the commercial property sector is bucking this trend.  This is not because of return to office or lack thereof, but leverage and the central bank.  In every cycle in recent memory as the economy started to...
Proposal for National rent control, what does this mean for prices and supply, why are rents increasing

Proposal for National rent control, what does this mean for prices and supply, why are rents increasing

It is no secret that rent has skyrocketed throughout the country.  Nationally rental growth peaked at 17.45% year over year in March of 2022.  Some markets like NY and FL have exceeded over 31% rent growth annually. What are the three causes of huge jumps in rents?...
30 year mortgage rates plummet, will they return to pandemic lows

30 year mortgage rates plummet, will they return to pandemic lows

It has been a wild ride in the treasury market.  Rates spiked to 7.5%, but recently have plummeted back to below 6%? Now they are rising again.  What does this mean for real estate sales?  Will the lower rates be enough to turn around the slowing market?  Will rates...
2023 real estate predictions: Mortgage rates come off their highs. Does a recession happen in 23?

2023 real estate predictions: Mortgage rates come off their highs. Does a recession happen in 23?

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season.  Before getting into my predictions for next year, there are three crucial factors to discuss that will shape the real estate market in 2023 and beyond: Interest rates, inflation, and consumer sentiment. All three are...