Top Headlines
CFPB Launches Public Inquiry into Mortgage Closing ‘Junk Fees’
CFPB Director Rohit Chopra opined, “Junk fees and excessive closing costs can drain down payments and push up monthly mortgage costs.” Continue Reading CFPB Launches Public Inquiry into Mortgage Closing ‘Junk Fees’
GOP Lawmakers Question Proposed Freddie Mac Expansion into Second Mortgages
The lawmakers said the proposal would turn Freddie Mac “into a massive consumer loan guarantor.” Continue Reading GOP Lawmakers Question Proposed Freddie Mac Expansion into Second Mortgages
Construction Technology Firm Icon Debuts Suite of Automated Products
“In the future, I believe nearly all construction will be done by robots,” said CEO Jason Ballard. Continue Reading Construction Technology Firm Icon Debuts Suite of Automated Products
Proposed Bill Would Increase Scrutiny of Real Estate Purchases by ‘Foreign Entities of Concern’
The legislation would also allow CFIUS to scrutinize existing real estate holdings. Continue Reading Proposed Bill Would Increase Scrutiny of Real Estate Purchases by ‘Foreign Entities of Concern’
RESAAS Debuts Real Estate Agent Advisory Board
The company is also planning to launch a Global Real Estate Agent Advisory Board focusing outside of North America. Continue Reading RESAAS Debuts Real Estate Agent Advisory Board
Inflation Pushes Mortgage Rates Up to 3.85%. Experts Warn Borrowers Not to Panic: ‘Historically, Rates Are Still Fairly Low.’
Source: Time --- Inflation continues to hit levels not seen in 40 years, and mortgage rates are rising with it. The 30-year fixed rate average increased to 3.85% – its highest since March 2020 – while the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Thursday...
Why is our industry still transferring money with paper checks?
Source: Housing Wire --- While the real estate industry has witnessed the introduction of a number of spectacular and innovative developments in recent years, we still (sometimes unfairly) get tagged as “old fashioned” or “conservative.” This is especially true on the...
D.C. First-Time Home Buyer: 2022 Programs and Grants
Source: The Mortgage Reports --- What to know about buying a house in Washington D.C. Being a Washington D.C. first–time home buyer can seem like a daunting prospect; most homes in the District are eye–wateringly expensive. But there’s good news, too. You might be in...
U.S. Mortgage Delinquency Rates Drop in Late 2021
Source: World Property Journal --- Based on CoreLogic's latest monthly Loan Performance Insights Report for November 2021, 3.6% of all mortgages in the U.S. were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure), representing a...
How To Calculate Property Tax: What Homeowners Should Know About How to Estimate Property Taxes
Source: Realtor --- Need to know how to estimate property taxes? You’ve come to the right place! Most people know that homeownership requires coughing up copious amounts of money. There’s your mortgage, of course, but the costs hardly end there. You will also have to...
Real Estate Commissions Being Squeezed in U.S. Over Last 4 Years
Source: World Property Journal --- National property broker Redfin is reporting the typical commission rate paid to brokerages representing homebuyers in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest point in at least four years. Redfin found the typical U.S. buyer's agent...
COULD BITCOIN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BECOME MAINSTREAM?
Source: RISMedia --- With the rising normalization of cryptocurrencies in our marketplaces, it’s no surprise that crypto has found its way into real estate. In fact, the first commercial property in New York has been put on the market exclusively for Bitcoin—29...
What Is a Lien on a House?
Source: Point 2 Homes --- Understanding How Liens Work A property lien is a legal claim against a property, allowing the creditor to use it as collateral to collect what they’re owed if the debtor cannot make payments. Consider this common scenario to better...
Most Equity Rich Homes in 2021 Located in Western U.S.
Source: World Property Journal --- According to ATTOM Data's fourth-quarter 2021 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report, 41.9 percent of mortgaged residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich in the fourth quarter, meaning that the...
Housing wealth is setting new records for both owners and sellers
Source: CNBC --- The stunning jump in home values over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has given U.S. homeowners record amounts of housing wealth. What they choose to do with it could have impacts on the broader economy. Annual home price gains averaged 15% in...
Recent Posts
Hits and Misses for the Real Estate Week of Aug. 10-14- Seattle Bans Rental Housing Junk Fees
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- Better Pushes Back at Attempt by Ex-CEO Vishal Garg to Regain Control of th…
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