UExpress, Jan. 1, 2021–Lew SichelmanMore than two-thirds of those surveyed have gotten to know their neighbors better during the pandemic. Almost that many have made an effort to be more …
Category: Top National News
New Wave of Fintechs Make Communities of Color Top Priority
National Mortgage News, Dec. 31, 2020–Miriam Cross (subscription)Challenger banks aimed at Blacks, Hispanics, immigrants and other underserved groups are offering financial education and support for charities in addition to basic …
How the American Mortgage Machine Works
Wall Street Journal, Jan. 3, 2021–Telis Demos (subscription)A lot has to happen to make 30-year mortgages at super-low interest rates possible. Investors should understand what each player in the process …
New Law Expands California’s Homestead Equity Protection to $600,000
Orange County Register, Dec. 31, 2020–Jeff LazersonThe new homestead protection starts at a floor of $300,000 and caps at $600,000. The previous homestead exemption ranged from $75,000 for singles, $100,000 …
Pandemic-Fueled Housing Boom Leaves Hardest Hit Behind
The Hill, Jan. 2, 2020–Sylvan LaneWhile the housing boomlet has benefited homeowners, the recession has pushed many Americans further away from having the financial security to buy their first house. …
Mortgage Rates Move Slightly Higher But Remain Near Record Lows
Washington Post, Dec. 31, 2020–Kathy OrtonAfter tumbling to historic lows throughout the month, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rebounded slightly heading into the new year. (MBA mention)https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/31/mortgage-rates-move-slightly-higher-remain-near-record-lows/
Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist on Rising Housing Prices and Falling Home Sales
Bloomberg, Dec. 30, 2020Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Michael Fratantoni discusses housing prices being the highest they have been since 2014, the fall of pending home sales and the rise …
RON Use Went Up in 2020. Here’s Why More Lenders Won’t Adopt It
National Mortgage News, Dec. 30, 2020–Paul Centopani (subscription)While the mortgage industry has been notably slow to adapt to new technologies, use of remote online notarization software accelerated significantly in this …
Top 10 Predictions: More Rate Drops in Store for 2021
Orange County Register, Dec. 30, 2020–Jeff LazersonRates are going to stay low. Demand is going to stay high. And President-elect Joe Biden will offer a tax credit for first-time homebuyers. …
Black Homeowners Struggle to Get Insurers to Pay Claims
New York Times, Dec. 29, 2020–Emily FlitterBlack policyholders suspect discrimination as they deal with insurers, but it is impossible to prove because the insurers keep a lid on claims data.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/29/business/black-homeowners-insurance-claim.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_20201230&instance_id=25495&nl=todaysheadlines®i_id=42063674&segment_id=48030&user_id=e670283fb4fff3d4391d6f88569ad498