Articles

Apr 07 2017

U.S. Market Recon – April 2017

Economy

Housing

The US economy grew in the past quarter, though not as strongly as it had previously. Unemployment continues to fall, with the headline rate ticking down to 4.5%. Workers’ earnings climbed to $897/week this month, though the long-term trend is negative. Rental vacancies are trying to escape their downward trend, with the national rate ticking up to 6.9%. Home ownership is trying to escape its downward trend, with the national rate climbing to 64%. Home building applications continue to rise this month and quarterly housing prices continue to rise a further 0.8%. [Read more…]

Mar 20 2017

Let’s Go Green

Freddie Mac’s new “Green Advantage” Loan Program

Freddie Mac’s new “Green Advantage” program can provide both better pricing and higher proceeds for multifamily projects that will undergo energy saving upgrades. [Read more…] about Let’s Go Green

Mar 20 2017

To Yield or not to Yield?

Prepayment Penalty Choices in the Era of Rising Interest Rates

Most commercial mortgages, particularly fixed-rate mortgages, have some sort of prepayment penalty. Lenders impose such a penalty to earn back some, or all, of the interest income they would have earned had the mortgage remained outstanding for its entire term.

Prepayment penalties generally come in one of three flavors: [Read more…] about To Yield or not to Yield?

Mar 10 2017

U.S. Market Recon – March 2017

Economy

Housing

The US economy grew in the past quarter, though not as strongly as it had previously. Unemployment continues to fall, with the headline rate ticking down to 4.7%. Workers’ earnings continue to fall, with average earnings declining to $895/week. Rental vacancies are trying to escape their downward trend, with the national rate ticking up to 6.9%. Home ownership is trying to escape its downward trend, with the national rate climbing to 64%. Home building applications continue to rise this month and quarterly housing prices continue to rise a further 0.8%. [Read more…]

Feb 03 2017

U.S. Market Recon – February 2017

Economy

Housing

The US economy grew in the past quarter, though not as strongly as it had previously. Unemployment is trying to escape its downward trend, with the headline rate ticking up to 4.8%. Workers’ earnings continue to fall, with average earnings declining to $895/week. Rental vacancies are trying to escape their downward trend, with the national rate ticking up to 6.9%. Home ownership is trying to escape its downward trend, with the national rate climbing to 64%. Home building applications are losing their upward momentum this month and quarterly housing prices continue to rise a further 0.8%. [Read more…]