Consumer watchdog: The real estate industry regulates itself
A report from the Consumer Federation of America found that the vast majority of seats on state real estate commissions are held by industry members and not one is held by a consumer or housing advocate
by Andrea V. Brambila Oct 21
Truework authorized by Fannie Mae to help speed up loan approvals
Truework joins Blend, Equifax Mortgage Solutions and Finicity as third-party vendors currently authorized by Fannie Mae as income and employment validation report suppliers
by Matt Carter Oct 20
More lenders jumping the gun on historic Fannie, Freddie loan limits
Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage — the nation's top 2 lenders — and at least 6 others are raising conforming loan limit to $625K ahead of FHFA announcement
by Matt Carter Oct 13
Real estate agent in hot water over costly missing apostrophe
Agent Anthony Zadravic is faced with hundreds of thousands of dollars in court costs after he neglected to place a crucial apostrophe in a Facebook post bashing his former workplace
by Lillian Dickerson Oct 11
Commission rules, lockbox access chief among threats to industry
At Coldwell Banker's Gen Blue Experience event, Kalama Kim predicted that everything from a DOJ antitrust case to 'marginal agents' could soon upend the real estate industry
by Jim Dalrymple II Oct 6
Hundreds of public figures escaped taxes through real estate: Report
A new trove of documents details how the wealthy and well-connected have used shell companies to conceal real estate transactions
by Daniel Houston Oct 5
Zillow wraps ShowingTime deal as feds continue FTC investigation
The $500M deal was first announced in February, and prompted a heated debate among ShowingTime users. Despite the deal closing, the FTC is reportedly still seeking information from the companies
by Jim Dalrymple II Oct 1
Sustained surge in mortgage rates could dent home sales
Fed uncertainty and U.S. debt ceiling cliff are creating volatility in long-term interest rates
by Matt Carter Sep 28
Opendoor and FTC still at odds over iBuyer's advertising
Regulator threatened 'enforcement action' related to allegedly 'inaccurate' or 'inadequately substantiated' advertising claims if settlement talks fail
by Andrea V. Brambila Sep 27
Twitter applauds as Berlin votes to wrestle apartments from landlords
'All those in favor of expropriating every house that Zillow owns, say aye,' tweeted one American as Berlin's vote to seize 240K apartments rippled across the globe
by Lillian Dickerson Sep 27
Housing industry 'will not be spared' by climate change: MBA
Extreme weather could strain flood insurance to breaking point, undermine home prices, and drive mortgage defaults, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
by Matt Carter Sep 27
Facade Flags Justice Department Building Washington DC
Opinion
The messy set of industry practices at the crux of this fight are long overdue for major reform — now is the time to make it happen
by Brad Inman Sep 22
Landmark study confirms troubling 'appraisal gap' in minority enclaves
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac's analysis of 12 million appraisals comes as federal task force prepares action report to address appraisal bias
by Matt Carter Sep 21
California severely curtails single-family zoning with new law
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 9 into law Thursday, legislation that allows up to 4 residential units to be developed on single-family lots throughout the state
by Lillian Dickerson Sep 17
A Florida landlord is requiring vaccines for tenants. Is that legal?
The landlord operates approximately 1,200 rental units but will require vaccines for anyone wanting to move in or renew a lease. The situation could serve as a test case
by Jim Dalrymple II Sep 16
NAR vs. DOJ: A timeline of the battle as it stretches into 4th year
An analysis of the association's petition offers a step-by-step timeline of the events leading up to the DOJ's launch of a new investigation of NAR rules
by Andrea V. Brambila Sep 16