At our headquarters in the nation’s capital, HUD’s Office of PD&R recently assembled a panel of experts in international housing finance. Moderated by Britt Gwinner, Lead Housing Finance Specialist for the World Bank, discussants provided a global perspective on the current and future prospects of the mortgage market and rising foreclosure rates in the U.S. We’ll review the roundtable discussion highlights and provide links to additional information.

Mortgage Securitization—Lessons for Emerging Markets, recently released by HUD’s Office of International Affairs and intended for international audiences, identifies the components of a successful secondary mortgage market (SMM). SMMs enhance the primary mortgage market by separating mortgage origination and mortgage investment, thereby increasing both the number of mortgage investors and the availability of capital. This article will examine the U.S. secondary mortgage market, with case studies of SMMs in Taiwan, Guatemala, and Romania.

A symposium of housing industry, government, and academic experts met in February 2006 to explore the status of new housing technologies. An objective of the meeting was to pinpoint factors that slow the spread of new technology to residential construction and to determine what might speed its adoption. Sound market research that recognizes the needs of manufacturers, builders, and consumers formed the basis for the priorities and action strategies recommended by symposium participants. We’ll explore these expert suggestions for expediting the adoption of innovative housing technologies.

Surveyors recently approached American homebuyers to learn how they regard site-built, modular, manufactured, and panelized housing. Homebuyers were questioned about their attitudes toward, familiarity with, and willingness to purchase each of these different types of housing. We’ll discuss homebuyer perceptions of housing types, and explore the implications for builders and marketers.