Michigan Real Estate News

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Southfield Center Shopping Mall Struggles To Keep Afloat

The Southland Center shopping mall is struggling. According to New York City-based Trepp LLC, the shopping mall is underwater on its commercial mortgage-backed securities debt (CMBS).  The mall was appraised for $66.9 million in September after it went into special servicing. It owes $64.5 million on its 2012 $78.75 million Barclay’s loan. Rialto Capital Advisors LLC is the special servicer and can determine whether to foreclose on the loan or arrange an agreement or loan modification. Special servicers are appointed upon default of a loan.

 

Mortgage Rates Surge Upward As Q3 Earnings Post

Rising interest rates are having a big effect in Southeast Michigan. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is higher than 7%. This surge hasn’t been seen since April 2002. The U.S. Federal Reserve is hiking rates in order to control inflation. Detroit-based Rocket Mortgage parent company Rocket Companies Inc. will soon be reporting its third-quarter earnings on Nov. 3, providing a better picture of how mortgage companies will fare in the future months. Ann Arbor-based Home Point will report its earnings on Nov. 10. Pontiac’s UWM has not released the date of its third-quarter report.

 

Michigan Landlords and Tenants May Be Facing Big Changes

The State Court Administrative Office has proposed new rules that would affect eviction cases. The proposal includes an option for online pretrial hearings in eviction cases, a tenant requirement to give landlords 48-hour notice if a jury trial is desired, a requirement that tenants be served in person if the landlord wants an immediate default judgement, the creation of a minimum 7-day window between pretrial hearings and trials, and the ability for tenants to get an automatic stay if they’ve applied for rental aid. The aim is to allow more time for commercial and residential tenants to pay what is owed when they fall short. In some cases, this will lengthen the eviction process. The intent is to continue the advances that were made during the pandemic. The rule changes are in a public comment period until Tuesday.