Category: Top National News

HousingWire, July 7, 2017–Ben LaneThe North Carolina General Assembly is currently considering a bill that would establish a single method for determining how the state’s appraisers are paid based on “academic studies, government fee surveys, and independent private sector surveys,” rather than allowing the fees to be set by market competition.

Washington Post, July 7, 2017–Kenneth R. HarneyTwo new legal settlements from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau–involving more than $2 million in penalties against credit repair companies–offer mortgage applicants sobering reminders about what to avoid if you feel you need help with your credit.

UExpress, July 7, 2017–Lew SichelmanLenders continue to work overtime in their efforts to reach more borrowers by introducing “new” mortgages. But these loans often have a tinge of the old subprime products that helped devastate the housing market nearly a decade ago. The difference, this time around, is that lenders believe they have a handle on what got them into trouble last time.

Business Insider, July 7, 2017–Avery Hartmans Internet giant Facebook wants to build housing, retail stores, a hotel and more at its corporate headquarters–in short, Facebook wants to build its own town.

HousingWire, July 7, 2017–Ben LaneDykema founded TD Service, which provides technology and services to the mortgage banking industry and specializes in post-closing services and document management, in 1964.

National Mortgage News, July 7, 2017–Brian Collins (subscription)Nearly six months after the newly inaugurated Trump administration tabled a Federal Housing Administration premium cut, industry backers have maintained hope it will be revived, especially as the FHA portfolio continues to recover. But a key obstacle remains: There’s no one to run the mortgage insurance agency.

Orlando Sentinel, July 8, 2017–Mary ShanklinA new home sales program from Zillow connecting Orlando-area sellers directly with certain investors has drawn the ire of real estate agents nationwide.

Associated Press, July 9, 2017–Janie HarThe nation’s homeownership rate appears to be stabilizing as people rebound from the 2007 recession that left millions unemployed and home values underwater. But the Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found African-Americans aren’t sharing in the recovery, even as whites, Asian-Americans and Latinos slowly see gains in home-buying.

Mortgage Daily, July 10, 2017As of the week ended July 7, the Mortgage Market Index from Mortgage Daily, which provides insight into upcoming originations based or rate-lock volume by clients of OpenClose, was 107.

Mortgage Daily, July 7, 2017Reports have emerged that homebuyers who are nearing the closing date on their mortgages are being targeted by scammers seeking to steal funds from unsuspecting consumers.