Category: Top National News

Tribune News Service, Jan. 30, 2018–Stephen KoffFrom the lips of President Trump to the computer keyboard of his budget director, Mick Mulvaney, leading Republicans have now personally blamed one Obama appointee–Richard Cordray–for representing so much of what they are trying to change.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 30, 2018–Laura Kusisto (subscription)The U.S. homeownership rate rose in 2017 for the first time in 13 years as young households overcame significant hurdles to purchase homes in growing numbers and one of the deepest wounds from the housing crisis began to heal.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 30, 2018Allegations of unfair servicing and foreclosure practices in Massachusetts have been resolved by Nationstar Mortgage LLC through a multi-million-dollar settlement.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 29, 2018–Kate Berry (subscription)Mick Mulvaney’s recasting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau marks a new day for the agency, but a substantial part of his authority to unwind rules–particularly on mortgages–was already part of the agency’s tool chest before he arrived.

The Mortgage Reports, Jan, 29, 2018–Peter G. MillerThe Mortgage Relief and Debt Act is not in the news, and that’s a crime. Probably it seems odd that after more than a decade, we’re still picking and pulling over the mortgage meltdown.

Reuters, Jan. 26, 2018–Patrick RuckerU.S. bank regulators plan to relax commercial real estate lending rules by allowing more deals to go ahead without an independent appraisal of the property’s value, according to several sources familiar with the discussions.

UExpress, Jan. 26, 2018–Lew SichelmanAdjustable-rate mortgages are back, especially in the higher price brackets around $453,000 and above. And as loan rates climb, as they are expected to do throughout the year, they probably will become more popular.

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.