Today’s News Synopsis:

Big day for homes.  The latest home sales and price report from the California Association of Realtors showed existing home sales increased 3.3% month-over-month and 2.4% year-over-year in June.  Meanwhile, the median price was up 0.9% month-over-month and 7% year-over-year.  The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 10% increase in new home purchase applications year-over-year according to their latest Builder Application Survey.  Realtor.com’s latest list showed the best and worst places for first-time buyers to try to buy.

In The News:

California Association of Realtors – “June home sales and price report” (7-17-2017)

“Amid the lowest housing inventory levels of the year, existing home sales in California took off in June to their highest pace in nearly four years as existing home sales and median home price recorded strong gains on both a monthly and annual basis for the second straight month, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.”

Freddie Mac – “Freddie Mac Announces the Issuance of a New Two-Year Reference Notes Security” (7-17-2017)

“Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) announced today that it plans to issue a new two-year USD Reference Notes^® security, CUSIP number 3134EAEH8, due on Aug. 15, 2019. The issue will be priced on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, and will settle on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at benchmark size.”

Realtor.com – “The 10 Best and Worst Cities for First-Time Home Buyers in 2017” (7-17-2017)

“Hoping to buy your first home? Texas is calling. New analysis by finance site WalletHub has found that the Lone Star State boasts four of the top 10 cities for first-time home buyers in 2017.”

Bloomberg – “Treasury Reassures Markets About Secret Debt-Ceiling Plan” (7-17-2017)

“Treasury Department officials called bond traders and their advisers on Friday to assure them that the Trump administration isn’t considering prioritizing U.S. debt payments if Congress fails to increase the nation’s borrowing authority later this year, according to two people familiar with the matter.”

Mortgage Bankers Association – “June New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 10 Percent Year over Year” (7-17-2017)

“The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for June 2017 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 10 percent compared to June 2016.”

CNBC – “Foreign landlords shun UK property market after tax hikes” (7-17-2017)

“Overseas landlords are moving out of the U.K. property market in search of pastures greener, according to new research which suggests the number of international investors who own property in the U.K. has fallen to a new low.”

Black Knight Financial Services – “Black Knight’s MLS Division and CRS Data Announce Strong Demand for
Integrated Paragon MLS-MLS Tax Suite Solution” (7-17-2017)

“The strategic alliance between Paragon MLS, the flagship multiple listing service (MLS) system from Black Knight Financial Services (NYSE: BKFS), and MLS Tax Suite, a powerful tax data solution from CRS Data, has resulted in 12 Paragon MLS customers installing this combined solution suite since announcing the business relationship in September 2016.”

Fannie Mae – “Expansion Expected to Decelerate in Second Half” (7-17-2017)

“Expectations for 2017 economic growth remain at 2.0 percent amid a projected second half slowdown, according to the Fannie Mae Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group’s July 2017 Economic and Housing Outlook.”

Freddie Mac – “New Dataset to Further Increase Transparency for Investors” (7-17-2017)

“Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today published daily payoff data on certain select, securitized single-family mortgage loan Participation Certificates (PCs) cohorts issued from 2002 to 2016.”