Today’s News Synopsis:

Homeownership and vacancy rates across the nation totaled 1.8% and 6.9% in the fourth quarter according to the latest Census Bureau report.  AppFolio just released their list of markets where renting is the most and least affordable.  Redfin and Sun Number also released their list of top ten cities that have the potential for solar power that have not utilized it yet.

In The News:

Census.gov – “Quarterly Residential Vacancies And Homeownership, Fourth Quarter 2016” (1-31-17)

“National vacancy rates in the fourth quarter 2016 were 6.9 percent for rental housing and 1.8 percent for homeowner housing.”

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (2-1-17)

“Mortgage applications decreased 3.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 27, 2017.”

CNBC – “These cities are the most and least affordable for renters” (2-1-17)

“The good news for renters is that landlords today are less likely to raise the rent by a lot. The bad news is, rents are still high and unlikely to fall anytime soon.”

Redfin – “Solar Power is an Untapped Resources in These 10 Cities” (2-1-17)

“The Northeast region of the United States may not seem like an ideal area for solar power, but there is actually a lot of untapped solar potential in that part of the country.”

Freddie Mac – “Freddie Mac Sponsors Housing Counseling Office in McComb, Miss.” (2-1-17)

“Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) is sponsoring its first Borrower Help Center in southwest Mississippi. Located in McComb, Miss., it’s part of a network of 14 Borrower Help Centers and the national Freddie Mac Borrower Help Network.”

Bloomberg – “Manufacturing Accelerates in U.S. for a Fifth Straight Month” (2-1-17)

“Manufacturing growth accelerated in January for a fifth consecutive month on stronger orders and production that signal America’s factories are rebounding.”

CNBC – “Blackstone takes its single-family rental bet public as sector soars” (2-1-17)

“Investors are seeing green in single-family rentals, and one of the biggest players in the space is reaping rewards.  Invitation Homes, a Dallas-based single-family rental real estate investment trust and a behemoth in its class, raised $1.54 billion in an initial public offering Tuesday.”

Bloomberg – “Private Banking Meets Cross-Selling for JPMorgan’s Wealthy Clients” (2-1-17)

“Salespeople of all stripes know the drill. Go to the morning pump-up sessions. Hit the revenue targets. Move product or move along.”