Today’s News Synopsis:

Is this year a good time to buy a home?  The Mortgage Bankers Association reported mortgage applications increased 55.4% from last week.   Inman gives 7 tips for protecting your real estate business during this time.

In The News:

Inman – “7 tips for protecting your real estate business in this fearful time” (3-11-2020)

“No matter what happens, homes will be bought and sold. Someone has to sell them, and hopefully it’s you. How you handle this matters.”

Realtor.com – “Paint a Path Into Spring: These Are the Hottest Colors for Your Home Right Now” (3-11-2020)

“The days are finally getting longer (although, hour of sleep, we miss thee!), the temperature is rising, and we’ve even spotted some cherry blossoms and daffodils in the wild.”

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey; MBA Doubles 2020 Refinance Originations Forecast” (3-11-2020)

“Mortgage applications increased 55.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 6, 2020.”

Curbed – “Should you buy a home in 2020?” (3-11-2020)

“It depends on where—and how—you live .”

HousingWire – “Super-low interest rates disappear from mortgage comparison sites” (3-11-2020)

“As the mortgage business continues to try to deal with the repercussions of interest rates hitting an all-time low last week, it appears that some lenders are inflating their advertised mortgage rates to try to stem the tidal wave of mortgage applications they’re receiving.”

The Real Deal – “UCLA’s $900M student housing project will add 5K beds” (3-11-2020)

“The multi-year project is pushing ahead in Westwood, where a severe housing shortage has led to rising rents.”

Mortgage Professional America – “Survey reveals inter-generational similarities in homeownership preferences” (3-11-2020)

“Much has been said about the differences between baby boomers, Gen-Xers, and millennials – but a new survey found that the three generations have a lot in common when it comes to homeownership preferences.”

Apartment Therapy – “A Microbiologist Shares How “Target Hygiene” Cleaning Can Help When Everyone’s Getting Sick” (3-11-2020)

“When everybody around you is getting sick, sanitizing your home should be one of your first lines of attack. But the prospect of scrubbing down your entire home understandably feels overwhelming.”