Healthy FHA reserves justify premium cuts, lenders say

Private mortgage insurers are hoping to head off another FHA premium cut, like the 35 percent reduction approved last year by the Biden administration that’s project to save homebuyers $5.1 billion over 10 years. Continue reading

Impact of NAR’s commission rule change illuminated in Q3 earnings

In the wake of the National Association of Realtors’ 3-month-old rule change, executives are reassessing agent pay amid pressure on commissions, an analysis of Q3 earnings data shows. Continue reading

Social issues, not industry chaos, will guide agents at the ballot box

Commission chaos has disrupted real estate’s status quo in unique ways in 2024, but social issues have been the reason for more political donations from agents, according to an analysis by Inman. Continue reading

Judge grants final approval to 9 commission lawsuit settlements

Judge Stephen Bough granted approval for settlements involving Compass, Douglas Elliman, @properties and other companies. Collectively, the companies will pay $110 million to resolve the litigation. Continue reading

Fannie and Freddie will let more buyers off the hook for an appraisal

Appraisal waiver programs that rely on automated valuation models will be expanded next year to allow participation by homebuyers putting less than 20 percent down. Continue reading

CMLS urges NAR to keep Clear Cooperation in new letter

CMLS CEO Denee Evans argued against the “removal or significant weakening of a policy so critical to the integrity of our housing market” in an open letter to NAR and its members Friday afternoon. Continue reading

Redlining settlement wouldn’t resolve 1st Amendment questions

The CFPB claimed statements made by hosts of Townstone Financial’s AM radio call-in show and podcasts discouraged Black Chicago residents from applying for a mortgage. Continue reading

California is 2nd state to revoke LoanSnap’s license this month

Costa Mesa, California-based provider of debt consolidation loans saw most of its business dry up last year and was evicted from its headquarters in May, according to Connecticut regulators who revoked the company’s license on Oct. 2. Continue reading

Rocket Mortgage, Solidifi among defendants in appraisal bias suit

Prosecutors allege appraisal that erased $220,000 from Denver duplex’s value discriminated against Black owner and thwarted her attempt to refinance at lower rates. Continue reading

Fairway blasts federal regulators in $10M redlining settlement

Nation’s third biggest lender casts itself as a victim of politics, noting CFPB launched its investigation the day after Biden Administration took office. Continue reading