Free videos for real estate agents land title company rep in hot water
California Best Title Company Inc. settles case alleging illegal inducements for $150K without admitting wrongdoing, but marketing representative loses license for 3 years
by Matt Carter Mar 28
Rocket: Redfin acquisition will cut consumer transaction costs by half
Rocket executives say unifying home search, buying, selling, mortgage, title and servicing could net $20K in savings — which might allay antitrust concerns and keep RESPA regulators at bay
by Matt Carter Mar 11
Rocket Homes off the hook as Trump's CFPB drops lawsuits
Dec. 23 RESPA complaint that accused Rocket Homes of favoring real estate agents who steered clients to Rocket Mortgage is dismissed 'without prejudice' by the CFPB's new leadership
by Matt Carter Feb 27
Trump nominates Jonathan McKernan as director of CFPB
McKernan's prior roles include senior financial policy advisor for Sen. Bob Corker and posts with the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the US Treasury
by Richelle Hammiel Feb 12
Referral fees: The Twilight Zone of compensation disclosure?
Opinion
Amid sweeping commission changes and the push for greater transparency in real estate, rules around referral fees remain elusive, compliance expert Summer Goralik writes for Inman
by Summer Goralik Feb 11
CFPB is latest target of Trump's downsizing government campaign
Congressional Democrats vow to fight moves to 'unlawfully delete this popular consumer watchdog that enjoys the broad bipartisan support of 4 out of 5 Americans'
by Matt Carter Feb 10
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
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to temporarily lead CFPB
President Trump fired former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra on Saturday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will take over leadership duties until Trump nominates a new director.
by Marian McPherson Feb 3
Ted Cruz aims to defund CFPB with implications for lender oversight
Although the agency was created by Democrats in an effort to protect consumers from abusive financial practices, it has continued to be viewed by Republicans as an unchecked power
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 31
Rocket consolidates home search, mortgage with Rocket.com launch
Announced Wednesday, Rocket's new domain targets high-intent homebuyers by utilizing AI to provide around-the-clock support, answer questions and keep clients and agents informed
by Matt Carter Jan 22
Rocket accused of using 'kickback scheme' to attract more borrowers
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau claims Rocket gave real estate agents incentives to steer consumers away from other companies. Rocket calls the allegations a 'lie' and political ploy
by Jim Dalrymple II Dec 24
Jason Oppenheim identified as mystery broker in kickback plot
In lawsuits filed this fall, Douglas Elliman accused escrow employees of concocting a commission-sharing scheme with the 'star of a reality television show' but stopped short of naming Oppenheim
DC-area title companies settle agent steering scheme with AG
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb found that 4 title companies gave financial and other perks to real estate agents in return for homebuyer referrals. The companies have agreed to pay $3M
by Lillian Dickerson Aug 29
Title data is helping real estate agents and lenders prospect
DataTrace, which now operates more than 1,800 U.S. title plants, says the remarkable granularity of its data can help identify renters who are ready to buy, empty nesters and fix-and-flip investors
by Matt Carter Apr 9
NAR settlement may disrupt mortgage partner agent programs
If homebuyers are no longer willing to pay full commissions to agents, what happens to lender programs that incentivize consumers to work with partner real estate agents?
by Matt Carter Mar 18