Wells Fargo exiting correspondent mortgage lending business

Executives hope to reduce risk by reducing the size and narrowing the focus of bank’s mortgage business to better serve retail customers and minority communities. Continue reading

NAR changes Code of Ethics to refer to ‘disability’ rather than ‘handicap’

New markets require new approaches and tactics. Experts and industry leaders take the stage at Inman Connect New York in January to help navigate the market shift — and prepare for the next one. Meet the moment and join us. Register here. The highest g… Continue reading

Nationwide appraisal ethics rule changes postponed until 2024

The Appraisal Foundation’s Appraisal Standards Board says it needs more time to assess proposed changes designed to close the door to discrimination. Continue reading

SafeRent discriminated against Black, Hispanic renters often: Suit

The tenant screener violated the Fair Housing Act for years as it doled out disproportionately low risk scores to Black and Hispanic rental applicants with housing vouchers, a new federal lawsuit says. Continue reading

7 tips for Realtors to avoid legal and ethical snags

Honesty, transparency and responsibility are key to avoiding legal and ethical missteps. Luke Babich offers timeless advice for how to stay on the right path. Continue reading

Compass reaches settlement in Section 8 discrimination case

A year after being placed in the hot seat for discriminating against low-income renters in New York City, Compass has reached a settlement with the watchdog group Housing Rights Initiative (HRI). Compass will now offer higher commissions for Section 8 … Continue reading

Low-income tenants sue developer, allege ‘poor door’ discrimination

Tenants who won a lottery to live at Fifteen Hudson Yards are suing the developer for violating New York City’s “poor door” ban, which bans separate entrances for low-income residents. Continue reading

10 scenarios that can get new agents ethics violations, lawsuits or worse

As a newbie, you don’t want to find yourself amid an ethics violation, lawsuit or worse, but it can happen to even the most earnest of agents. Here are 10 hypothetical situations that help illustrate how you can avoid some very real problems. Continue reading

Lenders who rely on AI, algorithms could face new legal risks

In a move that could pose challenges for lenders that employ AI and algorithms to evaluate borrowers, federal housing officials are moving moving to rescind policies to protect lenders and other businesses from claims of inadvertent discrimination. Continue reading

Is it time to stop writing buyer love letters? 

Buyer love letters can be fraught with fair housing violations, but should the practice be banned entirely? Because these letters are currently legal, banning them doesn’t appear to be an option — but educating yourself on the type of information to in… Continue reading