FHA IT Improvement Cost Estimates Deficient

A new government report indicates that cost estimates for the automation and modernization of the Federal Housing Administration have been deficient.

Technology investment cost estimates developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development have been unreliable, the report says.

The shortcomings have reportedly led to cost estimates that lacked a sound basis for informing the department’s investment and budgetary decisions.


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From:: Financing

For Authentic Market Research, Look to Your Reviews

By Rachel Jefferson

Reputation is really important in property management. You want to attract and build a community of happy renters who then share their good experience with others. But are your renters happy? Do you survey them and do you get good, honest feedback? In a recent Multifamily Executive article they state that the best place to turn to for authentic feedback is your reviews. It’s vital that you monitor your reviews and know what people are saying about your property management business.

on Multifamily Executive

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From:: Property Management

Under Pressure: Affordability Concerns Magnified Two Times for Boomers

By Beth McGuire

Baby boomers are doubly worried about housing affordability—for themselves, and the next generation of homeowners and renters.

A new report by The NHP Foundation reveals 30 percent of those aged 55-plus feel “anxiety” about affording housing in their area at least once per month, and 64 percent also feel concern about their adult children affording housing. Affordability recently fell to its lowest level since 2008, and a recent analysis reveals the average homebuyer needs to spend more than two-thirds of their annual income to afford a 20 percent down payment.

“The anxiety is now multi-generational,” says Richard Burns, CEO of The NHP Foundation.

The majority of those surveyed in the report have “great” or “substantial” anxiety about housing affordability as a result of the new administration—eased only if policies deliver benefits like protections from mortgage and/or rent increases, secure employment and “stable” property taxes. Fourteen percent believe more affordable construction would also lessen anxiety.

Location plays a role in the level of anxiety baby boomers feel, according to the report. Twenty percent of those living in the Midwest are concerned about housing payments, compared to 38 percent of those living in the South. A recent forecast projects home prices in the Midwest to rise 3.4 percent in 2017, with those in the South to rise 3.5 percent. Those in the West—where home prices are expected to rise just 1 percent—feel the lowest level of anxiety.

“Though housing insecurity is a national problem, these geographic differences demonstrate the need to tailor housing options to the unique needs of each region,” says Stefano Rumi, an advisor to The NHP Foundation and a senior fellow at the Batten Center for Social Policy at the University of Virginia. “The winning solutions will incorporate private and public partnerships to finance affordable housing. This means a ‘YIMBY’ attitude on the part of local communities and elected officials.”

Source: The NHP Foundation

The post Under Pressure: Affordability Concerns Magnified Two Times for Boomers appeared first on RISMedia.

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From:: Real Estate News

Under Pressure: Affordability Concerns Magnified Two Times for Boomers

By Beth McGuire

Baby boomers are doubly worried about housing affordability—for themselves, and the next generation of homeowners and renters.

A new report by The NHP Foundation reveals 30 percent of those aged 55-plus feel “anxiety” about affording housing in their area at least once per month, and 64 percent also feel concern about their adult children affording housing. Affordability recently fell to its lowest level since 2008, and a recent analysis reveals the average homebuyer needs to spend more than two-thirds of their annual income to afford a 20 percent down payment.

“The anxiety is now multi-generational,” says Richard Burns, CEO of The NHP Foundation.

The majority of those surveyed in the report have “great” or “substantial” anxiety about housing affordability as a result of the new administration—eased only if policies deliver benefits like protections from mortgage and/or rent increases, secure employment and “stable” property taxes. Fourteen percent believe more affordable construction would also lessen anxiety.

Location plays a role in the level of anxiety baby boomers feel, according to the report. Twenty percent of those living in the Midwest are concerned about housing payments, compared to 38 percent of those living in the South. A recent forecast projects home prices in the Midwest to rise 3.4 percent in 2017, with those in the South to rise 3.5 percent. Those in the West—where home prices are expected to rise just 1 percent—feel the lowest level of anxiety.

“Though housing insecurity is a national problem, these geographic differences demonstrate the need to tailor housing options to the unique needs of each region,” says Stefano Rumi, an advisor to The NHP Foundation and a senior fellow at the Batten Center for Social Policy at the University of Virginia. “The winning solutions will incorporate private and public partnerships to finance affordable housing. This means a ‘YIMBY’ attitude on the part of local communities and elected officials.”

Source: The NHP Foundation

The post Under Pressure: Affordability Concerns Magnified Two Times for Boomers appeared first on RISMedia.

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From:: Finance and Economy

Retail sales will rise this year, but shoppers will be “hesitant” to spend: NRF

The National Retail Federation forecasts a 3.7% to 4.2% rise in retail industry sales in 2017, excluding autos, gas and restaurants, the organization said Wednesday. E-commerce and other non-store sales, which is included in that percentage, will increase 8% to 12%. “[T]his year is unlike any other – while consumers have strength they haven’t had in the past, they will remain hesitant to spend until they have more certainty about policy changes on taxes, trade and other big issues being debated in Congress,” said NRF Chief Executive Matthew Shay in a statement. “Lawmakers should take note and stand firm against any policies, rules or regulations that would increase the cost of everyday goods for American consumers.” The SPDR S&P Retail ETF is up 1.8% for the past three months, and up 9.8% for the past year.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

Robert Kennedy son Chris to run for governor in Illinois: report

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — Chris Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and a nephew of President John F. Kennedy, is set to announce as soon as Wednesday his intention to run for governor of Illinois, according to a report by political columnist Michael Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Times. Chris Kennedy, 53, is a former president of Merchandise Mart Properties in Chicago and with his wife Sheila, a native of Illinois, founded a Chicago-based nonprofit food company called Top Box Foods. He’s on the board of directors of the politically engaged mutual-fund firm Ariel. He has mulled bids several times in the past and not pulled the trigger. Kennedy is viewed as likely to face several fellow Democrats for the right to face off against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

EIA reports a much bigger-than-expected rise of 13.8 million barrels in U.S. crude supplies

The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday reported a fifth straight weekly increase in crude-oil supplies that was much more than the market expected. Inventories climbed by 13.8 million barrels in domestic crude-oil supplies for the week ended Feb. 3. The American Petroleum Institute late Tuesday reported 14.2 million-barrel jump, according to sources, while analysts polled by S&P Global Platts forecast a climb of 2.5 million barrels. Gasoline supplies fell by 900,000 barrels, while distillate stockpiles were unchanged last week, according to the EIA. March crude fell 52 cents, or 1.1%, at $51.61 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was trading at $51.80 before the supply data.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

U.S. advisors most bullish on stock market since 2004

The latest weekly survey of U.S. advisors by Investors Intelligence, a provider of research and technical analysis, showed that the number of bulls rose to 62.7% last week, the highest level since December 2004. Investor Intelligence considers a number above 55% a danger zone, as it is a strong, contrarian warning of a potential market top. Advisors have been extremely bullish on U.S. stocks for the past 11 straight weeks as the S&P 500 rose 7% over the past three months and is trading near all-time highs. Nearly a year ago, when stocks posted a sharp January-February decline, the bullish count fell as low as 24.7%. In the latest survey, the percentage of bearish advisors fell to 16.7% as they reacted to the recent market strength. That is the fewest bears since August 2015. In a report, Investor Intelligence said that advisor sentiment is a leading indicator and that excessive optimism most often peaks prior to the indexes.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News