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New Requirements May Mean Longer Wait for FHA Loans
The FHA recently unveiled sweeping changes to its multifamily program, tweaking the underwriting standards on new construction and refinancing deals, while unveiling a slew of risk-management initiatives that may expand its already long transaction timeline.
Managing by the numbers

Relaxed & Scrutinized
A QUIRKY DYNAMIC IS AT play at the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)—borrower scrutiny is at an alltime high, even as credit conditions begin to loosen.

Pop Quiz: Q&A With Tom Gleason, Executive Director of MassHousing
Tom Gleason has spent his career working in affordable housing lending and community development finance.
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Budgeting and Forecasting Software Gains Traction
While changing a key business process can be disruptive, sometimes the cost of staying the same gets prohibitive.

The Long and Short of It
THESE DAYS, THE SMALL-BALANCE loan marketplace seems to be divided into two types of executions: long-term loans from Fannie Mae and short-term loans from banks. And their terms couldn't be more different.
Putting social media to work

Waiting on Gen Y
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP. Despite today’s large excess inventory of apartments, the upcoming wave of Gen Y renters, coupled with the dearth of new construction in recent years, is expected to shift the balance over the next few years enough to get effective
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Freddie Mac Plans More Emphasis on Multifamily
Freddie Mac's CEO Ed Haldeman says "we want to bring more emphasis to the multifamily business," as the company revamps internal systems and seeks to close the competitive gap with Fannie Mae.
In recent years I’ve spent a lot of time speaking to and consulting with builders and remodelers, big and small, and I’ve noted that there’s often confusion about what types of costs go where on a financial statement.
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Uncertainty abounds as lead-safe remodeling deadline nears; Haiti says no thanks to formaldehyde trailers; U.S. glassmakers lose out to Chinese company; more

Recession Lessons
The Great Recession has claimed among its victims some of the industry's largest owners and developers.
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Developers Diversify to Stay Recession-Proof
Some developers are surviving, and even thriving, in today's market by re-engineering thier business plans and turning thier focus to recession-resistant sectors such as the receivership business, student housing, and historic renovations. The overriding trend is to diversify.
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Five Tips for Affordable Owners on How to Choose Property Management Software
Affordable housing owners looking to purchase property management software face many different and difficult choices. Here are five tips that every affordable housing manager should keep in mind when assessing the market.
Can replacement windows live up to energy claims?; keeping basements dry; Florida prepares for global warming; more
Massachusetts requires continuing education for relicensing; FEMA’s redrawn flood maps boost insurance rates; California grapples with net-metering policy; more

To the Rescue
THEY SAY ALL PRESS IS GOOD PRESS.
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People
David Robertson resigned as co-president and CFO of AIMCO Dec.
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Five Tips for Affordable Owners on How to Choose Property Management Software
Affordable housing owners looking to purchase property management software face many different and difficult choices.
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Developers Diversify to Stay Recession-Proof
The Great Recession has already claimed some of the industry’s largest owners and developers—Fairfield Residential, Bethany Group, Lembi, Babcock and Brown, Opus Corp.