Yearly Archives: 2016

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for June 2016 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased by 0.2 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns

MISMO, the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization, today released a set of products to help companies implement the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) rule. These tools, collectively referred to as the HMDA Implementation Toolkit (the Toolkit), offer a comprehensive collection of guidance, mapping documents, and other information about the rule and the use of MISMO in meeting the requirements of the rule.

Mortgage applications increased 7.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 8, 2016. This week's results included an adjustment for the Fourth of July holiday

Under President Obama, we have seen technological breakthroughs and strategic investments that have propelled the United States to the forefront of wireless broadband—with world-leading 4G/LTE coverage for more than 98 percent of U.S. citizens. Today, the Obama Administration is announcing new steps to maintain U.S. leadership and win the next generation of mobile technology with the launch of a $400 million Advanced Wireless Research Initiative led by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The City of Highland is violating fundamental constitutional rights by trying to coerce landlords and tenants into surrendering their freedom from unjustified, warrantless government intrusion on their property.

Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill., issued the following statement regarding the First-time Homebuyer Credit Act, legislation introduced last night by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today commended Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) for introducing legislation that helps small businesses and their workers by mitigating the effects of the U.S. Department of Labor’s unprecedented doubling of the overtime threshold.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today commended Senate passage of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016, legislation that includes many NAHB-supported bipartisan fixes to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs.

The NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) today announced a new strategic partnership with CEDIA, the leading trade association for the residential technology industry, to be part of the 2017 Design & Construction Week® (DCW).

CEDIA and Coldwell Banker Real Estate have collaborated to offer a home technology certificate program to Coldwell Banker Real Estate independent agents. The newly developed curriculum, which will be taught by CEDIA representatives, will help agents better represent the value of home technology

The NAHB International Builders' Show® (IBS) and the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) today announced a new strategic partnership with CEDIA, the leading trade association for the residential technology industry, to be part of the 2017 Design & Construction Week® (DCW).

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) delivered the following opening statement at a hearing with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro about sudden policy changes the Secretary is making to the sale of nonperforming loans insured by the government

Informa Exhibitions and USGBC announce famed architect Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and USGBC COO Mahesh Ramanujam as Greenbuild International Conference and Expo closing plenary speakers. The closing is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7 from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PST at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Despite lackluster economic growth and stark home-price appreciation in several parts of the country in recent months, roughly three-quarters of surveyed households still believe now is a good time to buy a home, but there's a considerable gap in morale between homeowners and renters, according to the latest installment of the National Association of Realtors® Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey1. The survey also found that roughly half of young adults with student debt are uncomfortable about taking on a mortgage.

“Congress continues its march toward enactment of the first comprehensive energy legislation in almost a decade with today’s overwhelming 84-3 Senate vote to name conferees and move to conference with the House. With the announced agreement to set aside provisions that have garnered a veto threat from the White House, I am optimistic that any final version of the bill emerging from Congress will have as a centerpiece the impactful and important energy efficiency provisions in Title 1 of the Senate version of the bill.

Mortgage credit availability decreased in June 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

Habitat for Humanity is participating in Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company’s “Band Together” online voting campaign this month, which allows the public to decide how $2 million will be distributed to national nonprofits. Beginning today, voters may cast daily ballots for Habitat for Humanity. Other participating nonprofits include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with Feeding America and Food Banks Canada competing together. The cause that receives the most votes by July 31 will receive the $1 million grand prize from Jewelers Mutual. The runner-up will get $700,000 and $300,000 will go to the third-place winner.

A Montgomery, Alabama, funeral home has agreed to settle FTC charges that it violated the Funeral Rule. The Rule requires funeral providers to give consumers pricing and other important information when discussing funeral arrangements.<

International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning recently hosted an invite-only event for John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) Principal Mollie Carmichael and Senior Vice President Dan Fulton. Carmichael and Fulton presented findings from JBREC's survey of over 21,000 home shoppers nationally, and JBREC's housing market outlook for the Washington, DC region and beyond. Rohit Anand, AIA, managing principal of KTGY’s East Coast office, offered his comments as well.

Canoe portage to remain accessible as much as possible during project, and AuSable River Canoe Marathon will be uninterrupted. Crews will be completing a Consumers Energy project to stabilize the Au Sable River bottom just downstream from Alcona Dam from July 11 to August 12.