DoJ not giving up after second try at charging Letitia James whiffs
The Department of Justice is reportedly weighing its options after a Virginia grand jury rejected a second attempt to indict the New York Attorney General for mortgage fraud
by Matt Carter Dec 5
GAO to look into claims Pulte has weaponized Fannie and Freddie
Senate Democrats say they want a better understanding of 'what is taking place at FHFA' after the head of mortgage giants' regulator subjects four prominent Democrats to criminal referrals
by Matt Carter Dec 4
Fannie, Freddie moving to adopt more inclusive credit scores
Lenders to get historical FICO Score 10T data within weeks, setting the stage for the eventual retirement of FICO Classic score and competition with VantageScore 4.0
by Matt Carter Dec 3
Rep. Eric Swalwell sues Pulte, FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
One of four Democrats subjected to criminal referrals by Pulte, Swalwell says FHFA director 'exercises unchecked control' over the mortgage giants and has scoured their databases to concoct unfounded accusations of mortgage fraud
by Matt Carter Nov 26
Letitia James mortgage fraud case thrown out, but can be refiled
The prosecutor who filed charges against James and former FBI Director James Comey, interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed, a U.S. District Judge ruled
by Matt Carter Nov 24
Pulte's role in mortgage fraud indictment under scrutiny
Attorneys for New York Attorney General Letitia James say FHFA Director Bill Pulte and 3 other Trump administration officials engaged in 'outrageous conduct' to obtain baseless indictment
by Matt Carter Nov 19
Don't merge Fannie and Freddie, says their biggest investor
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman floats plan to relist mortgage giants on the New York Stock Exchange this year, but says it's too soon for the government to sell any of its stake
by Matt Carter Nov 18
Fed Chair Jerome Powell standing in front of the Federal Reserve building to illustrate how the federal reserve impacts real estate.
The resignation of Biden appointee Adriana Kugler and pending retirement of Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic renews speculation that Trump will seek to undermine Fed independence
by Matt Carter Nov 17
HUD shifts homeless policy away from providing permanent housing
$3.9B in competitive grant funding will favor transitional housing with employment and addiction treatment requirements, and allow faith-based groups to provide it
by Matt Carter Nov 14
Pulte refers a 4th Democrat, Rep. Eric Swalwell, for mortgage fraud
Swalwell warns Pulte 'and any other lawless official who is carrying out these political prosecutions' that they will have to answer for their actions after midterm elections
by Matt Carter Nov 14
housing construction, housing, getty
The American Enterprise Institute estimates 64% of homes sold by the largest homebuilders provide permanent mortgage rate buydowns, which often don't count as seller concessions
by Matt Carter Nov 13
seller impersonation fraud
As seller impersonation scams surge, the American Land Title Association is launching new protections, writes new contributor and current ALTA president Richard H. Welshons
by Richard Welshons Nov 11
Mortgage giants 'very close' to accepting new FICO score
FHFA Director Bill Pulte says his agency is reviewing a deal with Fair Isaac to allow lenders to use the more inclusive FICO Score 10 T when selling loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
by Matt Carter Nov 10
Trump's 50-year mortgage is 'a big nothingburger' for homebuyers
The Trump administration says it's also looking at assumable mortgages and 'ways to give relief' on 5- and 10-year loans, after mortgage experts pan 50-year mortgages as bad deal for borrowers
by Matt Carter Nov 10
Why Fannie and Freddie still won't accept more inclusive credit score
FHFA Director Bill Pulte ordered the mortgage giants to start using VantageScore 4.0 in July. But adoption is a 'complex, technical and arcane' process that could drag into next year
by Matt Carter Nov 7
There's nobody in charge of looking out for waste, fraud and abuse at Fannie and Freddie's regulator
FHFA acting Inspector General John "Joe" Allen is set to be fired, Reuters reports, and the position is now vacant as the mortgage giants move toward a public offering
by Matt Carter Nov 5