Category: Top National News

Scotsman Guide, Jan. 25, 2018–Victor Whitman2018 could prove to be a key year of change for the mortgage industry as Congress takes up housing-finance reform, the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and regulatory reform. J. David Motley, the 2018 chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association, discussed the trade group’s priorities and a range of pending issues that affect the mortgage industry.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 25, 2018The mortgage subsidiary of home builder Lennar Corp. is being investigated over its handling of the lending process on government-insured loans.

Tribune News Service, Jan. 25, 2018–Alexander Soule, Chris BosakUnder the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December, homeowners can no longer deduct interest owed on home-equity loans if they use the money for purposes besides home renovations or the purchase of property.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 25, 2018–Ian McKendry (subscription)In the current political environment, the idea that a dozen senators from the minority would join Republicans to support a limited bill to ease certain Dodd-Frank Act restrictions seems unusual.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 24, 2018–Ian McKendry (subscription)Supporters of an unreleased Senate bill to revamp the housing finance system are fighting back against suggestions that the latest revision has become more conservative. David Stevens, CMB, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said the plan gaining consensus in the Senate is similar to the housing finance proposal being developed by MBA.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 24, 2018–Kate Berry (subscription)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking comment on its process for investigating companies that face possible enforcement actions as part of a comprehensive review of the agency.

National Real Estate Investor, Jan. 24, 2018–John EganFor high-net-worth investors in commercial real estate, the federal tax overhaul is practically a financial home run.

CNBC, Jan. 24, 2018–Lauren ThomasToys R Us is planning to shutter roughly 180 stores across the country, or about one-fifth of its U.S. store fleet, in a bid to restructure the company and emerge from bankruptcy protection.

The impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma continue to bedevil the housing market, as Black Knight determined the hurricane-related fallout was a primary factor in having an additional 60,000 mortgages becoming 90 days delinquent last month.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 23, 2018Thirty-day mortgage delinquency soared to a two-year high, while serious delinquency climbed to a 19-month high. But foreclosure starts were the fewest since the recession.