Good morning! Today is Tuesday, June 30. Reopenings are stalling as Sun Belt states witness surge in coronavirus hospitalizations. Broadway’s shutdown is extended until January 2021 due to increases in coronavirus spread. A Fourth of July lunar eclipse will be visible in most of the U.S. And in mortgage and housing news … BLACK HOMEOWNERSHIP: Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Salt Lake City have the lowest Black homeownership rates of any major metropolitan areas in the United States, according to an analysis released by Redin. CFPB RULING: The Supreme Court ruled that the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unconstitutional – but left in place the rest of the legislation creating the consumer protection agency. GOOD NEWS RENTERS: The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Me and…
Good morning! Today is Monday, June 29. The media rights to the United States Golf Association, which include the U.S. Open tournament, are jumping from Fox Sports to NBC Sports. There are just 51 days left in NASA’s “lunar loo challenge” to help design a toilet fit for moon-traveling astronauts. And in mortgage and housing news … LESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING: A report released by Redfin found that the most affordable third of homes in the United States were 5.5 percent more expensive at the end of May than they were a year ago. NOT MASTER: Texas realtor group says it will no longer use the word “master” to describe bedrooms and bathrooms in its listings. HOMEOWNERS STRUGGLE: Coronavirus mortgage bailouts increased every day for the past five business days. …
Good morning! Today is Friday, June 26. Eight states and several cities are now slowing or pausing their re-opening plans after spikes in coronavirus cases. NASA is crowdsourcing the best design ideas for space toilets with a $20,000 prize. The 2020 Kentucky Derby will allow fans. And in mortgage and housing news … TIME ON MARKET DROPS: The housing recovery is continuing, even as the coronavirus pandemic is showing no signs of letting up across the United States. NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS: The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.13 percent for the second week in a row, remaining at a record low, Freddie Mac announced in its Primary Mortgage Market Survey. REALTORS NIX NOLA CONFERENCE: The National Association of Realtors announced that its REALTORS Conference &…
Good morning! Today is Thursday, June 25. COVID-19 cases are accelerating around the country, reaching new daily highs in states including Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Arizona. The New York City marathon cancelled its November race because of the pandemic. Some zoo animals are doing just fine without visitors, but the gray cockatoo and other animals need visitors to come back. And in mortgage and housing news … STREAK ENDS: Mortgage applications remain higher year over year despite the dip last week. HOUSE PRICES: Even as the COVID-19 pandemic hammered the economy, house prices in the United States increased 0.2 percent in April, according to a report released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. WRIST SLAP: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced it had reached a…
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, June 24. The European Union may ban Americans from entering European countries as of July 1 based on how we are faring with new coronavirus cases. Apple wants to replace your car key with an IPhone. And in mortgage and housing news … CFPB ENFORCEMENT LAX: What happens with a consumer complains to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Often, not very much. NEW HOME SALES: Sales of newly built single-family homes jumped 16.6 percent in May – another sign the housing market is recovering from the devastating economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. LGBTQ PROTECTION: Zillow updated all property listings to include whether homes are in communities where state and local laws protect individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender from discrimination. RETIREMENT…
Good morning! Today is Tuesday, June 23. The United States has temporarily suspended new H1-B and other job visas to protect against the coronavirus. Major League Baseball said that it would impose a shorter 2020 season after a bruising dispute between team owners and the players’ union. A huge, previously undiscovered prehistoric monument was unearthed just a stone’s throw from Stonehenge. And in mortgage and housing news … HOME SALES DOWN: Existing home sales were down again in May, but the National Association of Realtors expects a rebound. DEBT-TO-INCOME NIXED: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposes replacing the debt-to-income ratio for qualified mortgages with a loan price-based approach. FORBEARANCES DROP: The number of mortgage loans in forbearance in the United States began declining for the first time since…
Good morning! Today is Monday, June 22. The WHO reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases, with Brazil leading the way followed by the United States. The guitar Kurt Cobain played on Nirvana’s 1993 “MTV Unplugged” performance months before his death sold for $6 million at auction. NASA’s next Mars mission will honor health care workers fighting the coronavirus. And in mortgage and housing news … HOME VALUES: Home prices have held on so far, but Zillow predicts they may fall in the second half of the year. BANK-HELD LOANS: The numbers seeking coronavirus mortgage relief is shrinking, but loans not backed by government agencies, either held by banks or in private-label securities, seem to be more troubled. BANKRUPTCY WAVE: Experts predict a spike in…
Good morning! Today is Friday, June 19. More companies and governments are recognizing today’s Juneteenth as a paid holiday to commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation. A California order requires masks in public following spike in coronavirus hospitalizations. NBA players will wear a “smart ring” to provide early warning of a coronavirus infection. And in mortgage and housing news … ANOTHER RECORD: Rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage tumbled to an average of 3.13 percent his week, the lowest rate since Freddie Mac started tracking them in 1971. TECH HUBS LEAD: The recovery in the housing market is continuing – and is being led by five high-tech hubs, according to the Weekly Housing Recovery Report released by realtor.com. GSE RECAPITALIZATION: GSE’s are facing some speed bumps on their way to…
Good morning! Today is Thursday, June 18. Unemployment claims are still high, but easing substantially in the wake of the coronavirus economic meltdown. Other tennis stars are noncommittal, but Serena Williams says she can’t wait to play in the U.S. Open in August. Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, and Mrs. Butterworth are among those rethinking the racial stereotype of their brands. And in mortgage and housing news … FORECLOSURE MORATORIUM: FHA joins FHFA in extending foreclosure moratorium. GOOGLE BANS TARGETED ADS: Google announced that it will no longer allow realtors to target ads for housing based on ZIP code – in addition to several other changes. 9 WEEKS AND COUNTING: Mortgage purchase loan applications climb yet again – the highest levels in 11 years. GAINING STEAM: Single-family permits issued…
Good morning! Today is Wednesday, June 17. Retail spending is surging as states ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions. A new poll finds Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years. Many airlines are banning alcohol on planes to minimize interaction between crew and passengers and reduce the spread of COVID-19. And in mortgage and housing news … GSE’S TOO BIG: FHFA Director Mark Calabria warned that Fannie and Freddie “do not have the capital necessary to withstand a serious downturn in the housing market.” BIDDING WARS BACK: A new report by Redfin found that 49.4 percent of Redfin offers faced competition in May – up 43.9 percent in April. The uptick is being fueled by a shortage of inventory. TASK FARCE: A group of consumer advocates allege the…
