Home prices

The three federal banking agencies moved to raise the threshold for residential transactions that require an appraisal from $250,000 to $400,000.

With the ongoing issue of the affordable housing crisis, the Mortgage Bankers Association – which many credit unions are members of – got behind the Build More Housing Near Transit Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives.

A handful of institutions in the last year have rolled out loan programs targeting members of the military and first responders, but there could be risks associated with these mortgages if the economy takes a nosedive.

The president signed an executive order Tuesday establishing a White House council dedicated to examining regulatory barriers to affordable housing.

The agency’s new guidance would limit some nonprofits’ ability to help borrowers pay their down payments, leading to higher home costs.

Some institutions have benefited from revitalization in the Motor City but just as consumers fled for the suburbs decades ago, most CUs in the area are headquartered outside the city itself.

The Washington-based credit union has set aside $1 million to help members with down payments for mortgages.

The agencies are weighing a plan to reduce the scope of residential real estate transactions requiring an appraisal, but appraisers have warned that the proposal could have consequences.

The mortgage industry heads into 2019 with little relief from the market strains of the past three years. To succeed — or at least survive — lenders must confront major questions about demand, affordability and market consolidation.

The industry could see a boost in mortgage lending from regulatory changes, but other factors may slow growth.