After banner year, mortgage brokers seek more political clout
The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts, a trade group representing mortgage brokers, launched a PAC and more than doubled its spending on lobbying in 2022
by Matt Carter Dec 30
The biggest mortgage, lending and housing finance stories of 2022
The industry dodged a meltdown, but skyrocketing mortgage rates fueled a rush to 'right size' and helped crown a new leader in mortgage lending
by Matt Carter Dec 28
Wells Fargo paying $3.7B to settle mortgage, auto loan allegations
Federal regulators allege bank improperly denied thousands of mortgage loan modifications over at least 7 years, in some cases leading customers to lose their homes
by Matt Carter Dec 20
Real estate transfer tax hikes create headaches for mortgage lenders
Federal regulations provide 'zero tolerance' for miscalculating real estate transaction taxes when providing TILA-RESPA integrated disclosure to borrowers, Black Knight warns
by Matt Carter Dec 19
President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act into law
The act codifies same-sex and interracial marriage rights and ensures same-sex couples' marriages would be federally recognized if the Supreme Court overturns Obergefell
by Marian McPherson Dec 14
Squabble in paradise: What'll happen to $256M in FTX real estate?
The US and Bahamian governments are jockeying to oversee the bankruptcy of crypto exchange FTX — and its trove of real estate holdings — after the arrest Monday of Sam Bankman-Fried
by Daniel Houston Dec 13
Mortgage broker who forged loan documents for clients gets 5 years
Prosecutors say Alex Ashod Dadourian, a licensed mortgage loan broker, fabricated income and employment verification documents to win approvals for 17 mortgages totaling more than $8M
by Matt Carter Dec 8
After 2-year ordeal, FHA borrowers can now buy private flood insurance
The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday prevailed in expanding flood insurance choices for homebuyers with Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages
by Marian McPherson Nov 22
Gavel over one hundred dollar bills represents Newrez' settling a complaint
CFPB alleges some homeowners who sought forbearance during the pandemic were charged improper late fees and weren't fully informed of their options
by Matt Carter Nov 17
5 housing proposals on midterm ballots — and how they shook out
In dozens of communities across the U.S., affordable housing was on the ballot in the midterms. Here's how some of the biggest proposals did as results were still being tallied
by Daniel Houston Nov 14
A misty forest
North Carolina regulators are investigating alleged predatory and deceptive practices by Florida-based MV Realty, which operates in 33 states and has more than 500 licensed agents
In the short term, home prices will fall. But then what, economists ask
Affordability concerns weigh on nearly every corner of the housing market as the economy tips toward a possible recession, according to a new survey of real estate experts
by Daniel Houston Oct 27
President Donald Trump
The former president was hit with a lawsuit that accuses him, among other charges, of drastically overstating the value of his real estate holdings
by Ben Verde Sep 22
Congress closer to prodding VA to update appraisal requirements
The Department of Veterans Affairs allows desktop appraisals when borrowers put 20% down, but nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made to homebuyers who put zero down
by Matt Carter Sep 15
Biden overturns rule that stifled immigrant housing access
The Department of Homeland Security announced it wouldn't follow the 2019 amendment to the Public Charge Rule, which helps determine citizenship eligibility based on financial neediness
by Marian McPherson Sep 9
Big lenders get a head start, adopt $715,000 conforming loan limit
Moves by Rocket and United Wholesale Mortgage could help borrowers get better rates and make smaller down payments when taking out loans that were previously classified as jumbo
by Matt Carter Sep 7