Category: Top National News

HousingWire, July 10, 2018–Ben LaneFHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery said Tuesday that he believes the Obama administration went too far in some cases and said that the Trump administration is dialing back the use of the False Claims Act to bring more lenders back into FHA lending.

National Mortgage News, July 9, 2018–Hannah Long (subscription)Congress has until July 31 to renew the program or risk a lapse in coverage, which would create a new round of headaches for lenders and real estate agents. Home sales in high-risk flood areas could stall, and policyholders would be unable to renew their insurance in the middle of hurricane season.

HousingWire, July 9, 2018–Ben LaneNewly released data from RentCafé and Yardi Matrix shows that nationwide rents just hit a record high in June, crossing the $1,400 threshold for the first time ever.

HousingWire, July 9, 2018–Ben LaneAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, Michael Brown and his company, Credit Bureau Center, were found to have cheated consumers into signing up for ongoing credit monitoring services.

U.S. News & World Report, July 9, 2018–Anne Marie KukecThe city, nonprofit community groups, financial institutions and others are partnering to revitalize housing left behind in the foreclosure crisis.

Forbes, July 9, 2018Fifteen members of Forbes Real Estate Council share what real estate trends or market shifts they have been most surprised to see so far in 2018, from blockchain advancements to the return of co-ops, rising home prices and more.

National Mortgage News, July 6, 2018–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)There were 341,500 people employed by nondepository mortgage lenders and brokers in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. That’s up 3,800 workers from April.

HousingWire, July 6, 2018–Alcynna LloydFreddie Mac announced on Friday that it has obtained a new insurance policy under its Agency Credit Insurance Structure, which will provide a combined maximum limit of up to $294 million of losses on single-family loans made under the Home Affordable Refinance Program.

Colorado Real Estate Journal, July 9, 2018–John RebchookVeteran mortgage banker E. Michael Rosser chronicles the history of the mortgage industry in Denver and beyond in his new, 372-page book, “A History of Mortgage Banking in the West, Financing America’s Dream.”

American Banker, July 6, 2018–Kevin Wack (subscription)Federal prosecutors on Fridsay said Stephen Calk, the chief executive of The Federal Savings Bank, was named to Trump’s 13-member team as payback for providing a $9.5 million mortgage to former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.