A report from Think Pol on Canada. "'No.' That’s the Government of Canada’s one-word response to Airbnb’s request to bail out hosts who are struggling to survive amid cancellations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Airbnb’s request was met with…
It's Friday desk clearing time for this blogger. "Nonbank financial firms spent years lobbying against tougher regulation and stricter capital requirements, arguing that their emerging dominance in mortgage lending didn’t pose a risk to the financial system. Now, many of…
A report from the Wall Street Journal. "As the novel coronavirus causes turmoil in property markets, some of the most risk-hungry real-estate lenders are starting to come under pressure. Funding debt investments with bank loans has allowed REITs and debt…
A report from Bloomberg. "Tom Barrack, who a week ago warned that commercial real estate financing was on the brink of collapse because of the coronavirus pandemic, is now calling for a moratorium on margin calls and intervention by the…
A report from Realtor.com. "'The biggest initial coronavirus hit will be felt in the tourism and hospitality industries,' says realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale. These are the same places where folks tend to buy vacation homes. 'Second-home markets tend to…
A report from Housing Wire. "It looks like borrowers who don’t fit neatly into Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s lending criteria could soon be running out of options if they want to buy a house. Over the last week, many…
A report from the Los Angeles Times in California. "At the start of 2020, the Southern California housing market was heating up, juiced by cheap money and a growing economy. Then a global pandemic hit. Deals are now falling out…
A report from the Wall Street Journal. "A mortgage-lending company sponsored by private-equity giant TPG is delaying dividend payments and said it is in danger of running out of money if market turmoil continues, a fresh sign that nonbank lenders…
A report from Fortune Magazine. "Zillow has temporarily stopped its home buying operations in 24 states due to the outbreak. 'Given the concerns for public safety and rapid developments by governments that restrict local real estate activities, we determined it…
A report from the Wall Street Journal. "Airbnb Inc. is considering raising capital from new investors, as the home-sharing giant wrestles with escalating losses due to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its global business, according to people…