Douglas Elliman Fires President and CEO Scott Durkin

by Phil Hall | Oct 29, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

Douglas Elliman Inc. (NYSE:DOUG) continued to shake up its executive leadership with the firing of President and CEO Scott Durkin. The company announced Durkin’s departure in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which tersely announced his employment...

FHFA Updates GSEs’ Appraisal Policies

by Phil Hall | Oct 28, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced updates to several appraisal policies related to Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) and Freddie Mac (OTCBQ: FMCC). The government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) will expand eligibility for appraisal waivers and inspection-based...

Maryland Resort Town Sues Feds Over Offshore Wind Project

by Phil Hall | Oct 28, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The resort town of Ocean City, Maryland, is suing the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the US Wind offshore project. The US Wind project involves the construction of 114 offshore wind turbines 10.7 miles off of Ocean City’s coast – the...

Laura Escobar Sworn In as MBA’s 2025 Chairperson

by Phil Hall | Oct 28, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) installed Laura Escobar, president of Lennar Mortgage, as its 2025 chairperson at a ceremony during the trade group’s 2024 Annual Convention & Expo. Escobar currently serves on several advisory boards and committees,...

HUD Partners with North Carolina Law School on Fair Housing Workforce Training

by Phil Hall | Oct 24, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a new partnership with the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law that is designed to prepare the next generation of fair housing policy and litigation leaders. NCCU is a public...

Astrid Vermeer Named SVP/CFO at MBA

by Phil Hall | Oct 23, 2024 | Industry Updates, News/Current Events, Real Estate News, WRE News Exclusive

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has hired Astrid Vermeer as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). In her new job, Vermeer will oversee MBA’s managerial accounting and financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting,...