Record increase in Fannie, Freddie loan limits fuels debate
An 18% increase in conforming loan limit, to $647,200, is the biggest leap in records dating to 1970
by Matt Carter Nov 30
'Love letter' ban to see day in court as First Amendment comes into play
A first-in-the-nation Oregon law restricting love letters between buyers and sellers, set to begin in January, is being challenged in court by the conservative-leaning Pacific Legal Foundation
by Daniel Houston Nov 22
South Dakota governor's daughter closes appraisal business amid nepotism claims
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's daughter Kassidy Peters has quit her appraisal job as state legislators investigate her mother for alleged 'abuse of power'
by Marian McPherson Nov 17
Affordable housing axed from $1.2T infrastructure bill
President Biden signed the $1.2T infrastructure bill into law on Monday. However, billions of dollars for affordable housing didn't make it into the final draft
by Marian McPherson Nov 15
Flush with cash, FHA urged to lower mortgage insurance premiums
A new report warns that a 'sudden and severe' reversal in home price appreciation could stress the Federal Housing Administration's finances again
by Matt Carter Nov 15
FairPlay lands $4.5M seed round to help lenders combat racial bias
APIs are designed to help lenders discover bias in algorithms and take a second look at rejected applicants
by Matt Carter Nov 15
Los Angeles wants to ban iBuying
The city council just approved an effort that will look for strategies to stop iBuyers such as Opendoor and Redfin
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 13
Fake landlord and deed fraud scams plague Detroit buyers and renters
Cash sales don't provide safeguards like title searches that mortgage companies insist on when they're financing a deal
by Matt Carter Nov 12
Multiple law firms investigating Zillow for potential securities fraud
The investigations — which are relatively common after a company discloses very bad news — are a response to Zillow's announcement that it will end its iBuying business
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 12
How equitably is housing wealth distributed in your city?
Interactive tool tracks disparities in homeownership rates, home values and distribution of housing wealth by race and ethnicity
by Matt Carter Nov 12
Regulatory tech provider Azimuth GRC gets boost from Rock Ventures
Atlanta-based Azimuth GRC claims it's the only company that's codified every state and federal law on one platform
by Matt Carter Nov 10
How pocket listings cast aside minority homebuyers
5 housing experts explain how pocket listings impact the struggle for equity and inclusion in US housing stock, creating de facto segregation
by Marian McPherson Nov 2
Pocket listings are still around, but the off-market landscape is evolving
Two years after the National Association of Realtors approved the Clear Cooperation Policy, pocket listings are as strong as ever. This is Inman's first story in a 5-part series
by Jim Dalrymple II Nov 1
China considers something new — mandating a national property tax
The nation remains one of the few world powers without widespread taxes on real estate values — but that could soon change
by Daniel Houston Oct 27
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