Taking A New Look At Financial Oversight
WORD ON THE STREET: Many remain skeptical of claims that the financial system has been reformed and that taxpayer bailouts are relics of...
Long-Term Vacant Properties: Part II – Strategies For Healing
REQUIRED READING: We should endeavor to achieve full recovery in all of the many diverse housing markets around the country. The private market...
Long-Term Vacant Properties: Part I – How The Crisis Emerged
REQUIRED READING: The boom and bust in housing that is a hallmark of the recent economic cycle has resulted in an unprecedented volume...
Mary Kladde: Perseverance Amid Market Tumult
PERSON OF THE WEEK: The German writer Goethe once observed, 'In the realm of ideas, everything depends on enthusiasm - in the real...
Will The Obesity Crisis Impact The Housing Market?
BLOG VIEW: Did you know that the U.S. spends $190 billion a year treating illnesses tied to obesity? Did you know that the...
Why We Need To Reform The Credit Report Process
WORD ON THE STREET: Credit reporting plays a critical role in consumers' financial lives. Credit reports on consumers' financial history and behavior can...
After One Door Has Closed, Another Needs To Open
REQUIRED READING: It is no surprise that times continue to be tough in the housing market, and underwater borrowers increasingly face foreclosures and...
Did The Dodd-Frank Act Fail?
REQUIRED READING: After every over-optimistic credit expansion comes the ensuing bust. After every bust comes legislation and expanded regulation to try to prevent...
William Ross: The Challenges Facing Multifamily Housing
PERSON OF THE WEEK: The multifamily sector within the commercial real estate industry has been one of the stronger corners of real estate...
Can Ancient Astronauts Solve The Housing Finance Crisis?
BLOG VIEW: I have a confession to make: I am a huge fan of the books, TV shows and websites that promulgate the...
Ensuring A New Wave Of Homeowners
WORD ON THE STREET: We can all agree that many factors contributed to the housing crisis. First, the loose underwriting standards employed by...
On The Street Where The Politicians Live
REQUIRED READING: The November 2012 election resulted in bringing 13 governors, hundreds of state representatives, and countless mayors, city managers, members of council,...
Pricing Engine Evolution: The Next Chapter Awaits
REQUIRED READING: The late Steve Jobs once remarked, 'I have a great respect for incremental improvement, and I've done that sort of thing...
Penny A. Showalter On The Changes That Reshape Mortgage Banking
PERSON OF THE WEEK: Last year was, by all accounts, a tumultuous time for the mortgage banking industry. But what can the industry...
Farewell Barney Frank, Ron Paul And Raj Date
BLOG VIEW: As we move into 2013, we will be saying goodbye to a trio of Washington-based figures who were at the heart...
The Long Recovery From Hurricane Sandy
WORD ON THE STREET: Hurricane Sandy and the nor'easter that followed have had immense and varied impacts in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut,...
The First Commandment Of Loan Servicing: Keep Your Costs Under Control
REQUIRED READING: If there were 10 Commandments for the loan servicing business, Commandment No. 1 would be: 'Thou shalt contain costs while controlling...
What, You’re Missing Documents? Then No Short Sale For You!
REQUIRED READING: The short sale is undoubtedly preferable to a foreclosure, and properly executing one can be tricky. But a large number of...
Predictions For 2013
BLOG VIEW: I always think of the New Year as a symbol of hope. It is a clean start, a chance to begin...
The National Mortgage Settlement: 2012’s Triumph
WORD ON THE STREET: As 2012 draws to a close, Americans are starting to feel a sense of hope about our economy for...