Mortgage assistance for Hawaii fire victims includes forbearance help

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration outlined relief for homeowners as FEMA and the state of Hawaii rushed to provide emergency housing for displaced residents. Continue reading

ICE’s Black Knight acquisition nears resolution of antitrust issues

“Significant progress” in Federal Trade Commission negotiations have been reported since Black Knight’s Empower loan origination system and Optimal Blue division were cut from the deal. Continue reading

Redfin exec: Clear Cooperation is failing to stop pocket listings

Joe Rath is Redfin’s senior director of brokerage operations and head of industry relations. He shared thoughts on Clear Cooperation ahead of his appearance at Inman Connect Las Vegas. Continue reading

Bright MLS breaks with NAR policy on commissions

Starting Aug. 9, the nation’s second-largest MLS will allow listing brokers to offer buyer brokers nothing in compensation, according to an announcement from Bright. Continue reading

Clarence Thomas took gift from 2nd billionaire with real estate ties

Decades before accepting travel from real estate developer Harlan Crow, the Supreme Court justice received a Super Bowl ring from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, according to reports. Continue reading

US Bank, UWM join movement to boost minority lending

With Fannie and Freddie leading the charge, a growing number of lenders are using special purpose credit programs to boost homeownership in underserved communities. Continue reading

Amid growing insurance crisis, Farmers pulls out of Florida

A number of insurance providers have left Florida over the last year, apparently driven away thanks to extreme weather and a challenging legal landscape. Continue reading

Lone Star lawmakers pass ‘largest property tax cut in Texas history’

The deal raises the amount homeowners can exempt from the taxable value of their properties from $40,000 to $100,000, ensuring Texas will remain among the fastest growing states in the U.S. Continue reading

DOJ: Ron DeSantis’ foreign-buyer property ban in Florida is unlawful

Department of Justice officials claimed last week the bans on some foreign citizens buying property in Florida violate the Fair Housing Act and the U.S. Constitution. Continue reading

Supreme Court nixes $430B in student loan forgiveness

Down payment assistance and income-driven repayment still offer a path to homeownership for those repaying $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. Continue reading