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Mortgage credit availability increased in December according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which analyzes data from Ellie Mae's AllRegs® Market Clarity® business information tool.

Construction employment slipped by 3,000 jobs in December, while average hourly earnings accelerated, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that recent construction spending numbers and their own survey of members suggest demand for construction remains strong, suggesting that the lack of hiring may be due to a shortage of available workers.

Before the Ohio General Assembly adjourned its session last month it handed landlords a big win with the passage of legislation aimed at curbing harassment-for-profit by local fair housing organizations. More...

Mortgage applications decreased 12 percent from two weeks earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 30, 2016. The results included adjustments to account for the Christmas holiday

The first set of global property ethics principles has been released by the International Ethics Standards (IES) Coalition, a group of more than 100 professional organizations worldwide. The Standards are intended to gui

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Energy Finance Association (SEFA) are joining forces and forming a new entity under SEIA to support wide-scale, low-cost solar deployment through better access to investment capital.  Under SEIA, the two entities will better serve their membership and act as a single voice and organizing force for current and potential solar developers, investors and lenders.

Leading bankruptcy professionals and dealmakers will converge at “VALCON 2017: Emerging Valuation Issues in Bankruptcy and Beyond,” taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas March 1-3, 2017. Sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors and the University of Texas School of Law, the conference will feature up to 14.5/15.5 hours of CLE/CPE credit, including 1 hour of ethics, with the opportunity to take part in special valuation fundamentals and technical valuation breakout program tracks.

The Alliance to Save Energy called on lawmakers to restore common-sense energy efficiency tax breaks for American consumers and businesses that Congress – like a Grinch – is allowing to expire on Dec. 31

Thank you to everyone who attended last week's New England Housing Network Federal Forum and discussed how to work together to advocate for affordable housing in the Trump Administration. The video from the forum is now available!

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 5.2 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 592,000 units, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Construction employment increased in 211 metro areas between November 2015 and November 2016, the lowest number of metro areas to add jobs in four years, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that contractors in many parts of the country continue to struggle with worker shortages and urged the incoming Trump administration to include workforce measures with its new infrastructure program.

In Changing Patterns XXIII(link is external) the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council (MCBC) offers information on patterns of mortgage lending in the City of Boston, in Greater Boston, in Massachusetts, and in thirty-six large cities and towns. Specifically, the report examines

Mortgage applications increased 2.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 16, 2016.

This holiday season, many will be tempted to turn to payday loans, auto title loans, or high-cost installment loans to purchase gifts. In fact, payday lenders make their greatest profits this time of year. With some of these loans carrying triple-digit interest rates, consumers can find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, paying for gifts long after the holiday spirit has faded.

The Alliance to Save Energy announced Tuesday that its board of directors has named Gil C. Quiniones, chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), as Alliance chairman and elected Andrew McAllister, a commissioner on the California Energy Commission, as a new board memb

Thirty-four states added construction jobs between November 2015 and November 2016 while construction employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia during the past month, according to an analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said even as firms in many starts are adding jobs amid growing residential and public sector construction investments, the number of states adding construction jobs for the year has declined compared to a year ago

A sharp decline in multifamily starts pushed overall housing production down 18.7 percent in November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.09 million units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. Overall permit issuance was also down 4.7 percent.