Source of Title News

“Multifamily developers are slightly less pessimistic than they were at this time last year, but supply-chain problems and high interest rates remain serious barriers to a stronger market,” said Tom Tomaszewski, president of The Annex Group and chairman of NAHB’s Multifamily Council. “Occupancy rates for owners of rental properties have remained solid, although they are struggling with high operating costs.”

The Typical Homebuyer Pays Roughly 2% Less than the List Price-The Biggest Discount in 2 Years
February 12 2025

Today’s housing market is slow mostly because it’s so expensive to buy a home. The average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.96% in January. That’s down from the two-decade high of 7.62% hit in 2023, but remains well above the 3% to 5% rates that were common before and during the pandemic. The median U.S. home-sale price is up 4% year over year; together, high prices and rates have pushed the typical homebuyer’s monthly payment near record highs.

Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
February 12 2025

“Mortgage rates moved slightly lower last week, which led to the pace of refinance applications reaching its strongest week since October 2024,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “The average loan size for refinance borrowers increased, as these borrowers tend to be more responsive for a given change in rates. Purchase applications were down from the previous week’s level but were slightly ahead of last year’s pace."

20 Percent of Commercial and Multifamily Mortgage Balances Mature in 2025
February 10 2025

Twenty percent ($957 billion) of $4.8 trillion of outstanding commercial mortgages held by lenders and investors will mature in 2025, a 3 percent increase from the $929 billion that matured in 2024, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 2024 Commercial Real Estate Survey of Loan Maturity Volumes, released today at the 2025 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.

CREF Forecast: Commercial/Multifamily Borrowing and Lending Expected to Increase 16 Percent to $583 Billion in 2025
February 10 2025

"There are still plenty of challenges in commercial real estate, but there are also signs of stabilization. Given the strong pickup in origination activity at the end of 2024, it appears that at least some borrowers and lenders are ready to move,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist.

Nearly 90% of Metro Areas Registered Home Price Gains in Fourth Quarter of 2024
February 06 2025

"Record-high home prices and the accompanying housing wealth gains are definitely good news for property owners," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "However, renters who are looking to transition into homeownership face significant hurdles."

AM Best Removes From Under Review With Developing Implications and Downgrades Credit Ratings of Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company
February 05 2025

CATIC’s weaker than expected combined and operating ratios of late are due to its higher-than-average expense ratio in support of its expansion efforts. CATIC continues to maximize investment growth while concurrently deploying expense reduction initiatives to alleviate its high expenses and improve its operating results.

NAR's iOi Evolves into a Year-Round Collective for Real Estate Innovation
February 05 2025

"The new iOi collective's overarching goal is to expand the community and drive innovation by bringing together real estate professionals and technology leaders," said Dan Weisman, NAR director of innovation strategy. "Technology is reshaping real estate faster than ever, and iOi is evolving to meet the industry's needs."

Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
February 05 2025

“Mortgage rates moved lower last week, consistent with lower Treasury yields following the FOMC meeting and a volatile week for stock market. The 30-year fixed rate declined to its lowest level in six weeks at 6.97 percent,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “Mortgage applications responded to these lower rates and were up for the week overall, driven by a 12 percent increase in refinance applications, which had their strongest week since December 2024.”

First-Time Homeowners Are 3x More Likely to Be Victims of Real Estate Wire Fraud, CertifID Report Reveals
February 04 2025

Real estate wire fraud has grown 50x in less than a decade, from $9M to $446M in annual losses reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Cybercrime has risen in the housing sector due to an often complex closing process involving multiple parties; public availability of property and listing data; and huge sums of money, with themedian home sale price in the U.S. reaching $427k.

NAHB Issues Statement on President Trump Delaying Implementation of Tariffs on Goods from Canada and Mexico
February 03 2025

“We commend President Trump for reaching an agreement with Canada and Mexico to delay the proposed tariffs, avoiding additional strain on a housing market already facing affordability challenges."

Pending Home Sales Fell 5.5% in December
February 02 2025

“After four straight months of gains in contract signings, one step back is not welcome news, but it is not entirely surprising,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Economic data never moves in a straight line. High mortgage rates have not significantly dented housing demand due to greater numbers of cash transactions.”

25% Tariff Hike on Canadian and Mexican Goods Harms Housing Affordability
February 01 2025

“On President Trump’s first day in office, he issued an executive orderdirecting departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief by pursuing actions to lower the cost of housing and increase housing supply. This move to raise tariffs by 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods will have the opposite effect. More than 70% of the imports of two essential materials that home builders rely on — softwood lumber and gypsum (used for drywall) — come from Canada and Mexico, respectively."