Kansas

Mortgage Applications Decline

Though 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are at an all-time low, purchases hit their lowest levels since 2015, a 31-percent decrease from the same year-ago period. The Mortgage Bankers Association also reported that, for the week ended April 17, mortgage applications decreased… more

Macy’s Might Consider Debt Versus Bankruptcy

Macy's, the country's largest department-store chain, with five locations in the Kansas City area, might reportedly consider taking on up to $5 billion in debt instead of filing for bankruptcy. Inventory would be used as collateral to raise $3 billion… more

Is Johnson County On Downward COVID-19 Path?

Though it's too early to call it a trend, there is some encouraging news out of Johnson County, Kan. On April 20, the latest date for which data has been provided, there was only one positive COVID-19 test recorded by… more

Five Elms Capital Invests in TX Software Business

Overland Park-based Five Elms Capital, which invests in business-to-business software companies, has invested in an Austin, Texas-based SaaS firm. Though details about the investment amount were not released Fred Coulson, Five Elms' founder and managing partner, will take a board… more

KS, MO Fared Better Than Most States With PPP

Kansas and Missouri both did relatively well in receiving funds from the $350-billion Payroll Protection Program COVID-19 relief bill, at least compared to most states. Kansas came in nine per capita of all states for funding, while Missouri was ranked… more

Senate Passes New Aid Bill For Small Business

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that would give another $484 billion to small businesses and hospitals. It's a move that was partially pushed by the Small Business Administration last week running out of $350 billion in funds that… more

Independent Mortgage Banks Had Strong ’19

Independent mortgage banks and mortgage subsidiaries of chartered banks saw their a major year-over-year bump in profit on each loan originated, according to the Mortgage Bakers Assication. The jump in profit rose to $1,470 on each loan from $367 the… more

Net Lease Transactions Rise in Q1

Net lease transaction volume nationally for the year's first quarter were up during the first quarter, but that was before the major pain from COVID-19 hit the commercial real estate market. Transaction growth was on pace with 2019 volumes, which… more

Home Prices Up As Supply Plunges

Median home prices rose in the United States in March by 7.7 percent year over year, but for-sales listing plunged from a year ago, according to Redfin. Listings were especially lower year over year in the Kansas City area, which… more

Facebook Creates Map That Tracks COVID-19 by County

Facebook, in a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, has launched a COVID-19 heat map that tracks the virus by county around the country.  Viewing it on a local basis, one can zero in on particular counties in the Kansas City… more