Rules on closing costs, PACE loans on CFPB chopping block
In his 1st act as interim Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director, Scott Bessent froze action on all rules and litigation. Here's what that potentially means for the mortgage industry
by Marian McPherson Feb 4
Nation's biggest lender, UWM, is piloting Fannie Mae title waivers
Trade group for title insurers complains federal regulators are disregarding the views of lawmakers in allowing the program to move forward on the eve of a 2nd Trump administration
by Matt Carter Dec 12
Campaign to stop Fannie Mae title waiver pilot program resumes
Title insurers have waged a protracted PR and lobbying campaign opposing the pilot program and other title insurance alternatives endorsed by the Biden administration and consumer groups
by Matt Carter Nov 20
DOJ's data sharing statement has implications for MLSs, associations
The statement regarding a lawsuit against pork producers notes that the sharing of information among competitors could violate antitrust law 'even without proof of an agreement to fix prices'
by Lillian Dickerson Oct 16
Is Spelling Manor the next mansion to be hit by scammers?
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is reportedly interested in the $137.5M home, but the property can't be sold until a bizarre claim to the deed allegedly involving Donald Trump is resolved in court
by Lillian Dickerson Sep 30
Debate over title insurance alternatives is heating up again
Republican attorneys general in 14 states urge Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's federal regulator to kill a pilot program that allows some borrowers to refi without obtaining title insurance
by Matt Carter Jul 25
UWM expands program that dispenses with title insurance
Nation's largest mortgage lender says brokers 'will no longer need to work with a title company or settlement agent for title work, balancing fees, scheduling closing or any related communication'
by Matt Carter May 17
Kentucky, W. Virginia move to ban exclusive, right-to-list agreements
New laws enacted to prevent the use of Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services — or NTRAPs — are sweeping the nation as critics decry alleged deceptive and predatory practices
by Taylor Anderson Apr 3
Title technology provider Doma posts $124M 2023 net loss
After a 'transformational year,' CEO Max Simkoff says Doma is well positioned to help lenders take advantage of the Biden administration's push to reduce closing costs for mortgage borrowers
by Matt Carter Mar 13
Biden's relaxed new Freddie, Fannie refi requirements irk title industry
In a pilot program announced last week, the Biden administration cleared the way for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to let some homeowners refinance mortgages without paying for title insurance
by Matt Carter Mar 11
Tighter federal regulations coming to luxury real estate market soon
The US Treasury Department is poised to enact expanded reporting measures on luxury home sales, putting an end to anonymous purchases that have enabled oligarchs, terrorists and others
by Lillian Dickerson Aug 11
Utah 1st state to ban long-term listing agreements enforced by lien
Legislation expected to go into effect April 1 addresses allegedly deceptive tactics employed by MV Realty and was based on a model bill drafted by American Land Title Association
by Matt Carter Mar 2
Mortgage finance veteran Nick Smith joins Voxtur's board
Mortgage data analytics provider that's pioneering attorney title opinion letters expanded digital asset capabilities in September with $101M Blue Water acquisition
by Matt Carter Dec 28
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
UWM can rapidly scale new loans that lack title insurance
The wholesale lender is hiring and training lawyers to generate attorney opinion letters in-house in order to meet what the company expects to be strong demand
by Matt Carter Oct 5