Individuals to get better shot at buying foreclosed homes

The Biden administration wants to give owner occupants a better shot at purchasing homes repossessed by HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Continue reading

Regulators probe ‘education fraud scheme’ by loan originators

California is leading a multi-state regulatory task force investigating a company suspected of allowing mortgage loan originators to skirt their pre-licensing and continuing education coursework requirements. Continue reading

Millions of homes at risk of flash floods from Tropical Storm Ida

Ida, which hits just as new risk ratings for the National Flood Insurance Program are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1, could also put uninsured property owners at risk. Continue reading

Fed says it wants to see job numbers before tapering

Powell “stuck to the script in his Jackson Hole speech,” said Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Economist Ian Shepardson. “Anyone hoping for a steer on the timing of the taper will have been disappointed, but it was never likely.” Continue reading

Stewart buying Informative Research to further ‘end-to-end’ platform goal

If and when the $192 million deal closes, it will be Stewart’s biggest bet on ancillary services, and it will bring the total spent on acquisitions during Stewart CEO Fred Eppinger’s tenure to more than half a billion dollars. Continue reading

Lenders hold firm on mortgage rates after Fed dust settles

Minutes released last week from the July 27-28 meeting of a Federal Reserve committee that sets monetary policy revealed that most members are open to tapering bond purchases the Fed makes to stimulate the economy by the end of this year. Continue reading

Deep dive into mortgage data claims glaring racial disparities

Mortgage lenders are more likely to turn down homebuyers of color than white applicants with similar attributes, and algorithms are likely to blame, according to in-depth analysis by The Markup, a nonprofit newsroom that’s “watching big tech.” Continue reading

Mortgage lender offers $500 discount to applicants who get COVID vaccine

“Neat believes that vaccinated individuals are making a crucial impact on the wellbeing of our community,” the company said in announcing the discount on closing costs to vaccinated applicants for purchase loans or refinancing. Continue reading

Private mortgage insurer National MI integrates with Mortgage Coach

Borrowers putting less than 20 percent down can choose between FHA, VA or USDA-backed mortgages, or take out private mortgage insurance to qualify for a mortgage that meets the requirements of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Continue reading

Automation comes to appraisal management

Whether they’re assigning work to commercial appraisal firms or individual appraisers, lenders can now automate more of the process, eliminating manual tasks and gaining increased transparency with real-time monitoring, status-driven alerts and a detai… Continue reading