Real estate in 2021 was weird, wild and always unpredictable
The year saw explosive rivalries, wild stock market performances and plenty of rage
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 13
The million-dollar question: Do $1M Freddie Mac mortgages conflict with affordable housing mission?
Redwood Trust, which issues 'jumbo' loans that are off limits to Fannie and Freddie, said in a new critique that costlier markets are better served by private lenders
by Matt Carter Dec 8
It's the end of the road for LIBOR mortgages
Regulators spell out rules for transitioning ARM borrowers to other indexes by 2023
by Matt Carter Dec 7
More booster shots, testing and other measures coming in response to Omicron variant
President Biden laid out a COVID-19 response plan Thursday that will push more people to get vaccinated and attempt to keep businesses open
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 2
'Is the Bible hate speech?' NAR hate speech provision faces first big test
Realtor Brandon Huber is under fire for pulling his church's support of a food bank during Pride Month. Now, the Missoula Organization of Realtors has to determine if it's religious freedom or hate speech
by Marian McPherson Dec 2
'Highly uniform' commissions designed to thwart competition: study
The Consumer Federation of America pushes for an end to the sharing of commissions between listing and buyer brokers to spur price competition
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