article thumbnail

Opinion: What you need to know for a successful real estate transaction

Housing Wire

Real estate transactions can be complicated, especially when it comes to titles and escrow. As a professional in the industry with over twenty years of experience, I know that two of the most crucial aspects of any real estate transaction are title and escrow. So why are title and escrow so important?

article thumbnail

Opinion: Fannie Mae’s title insurance pilot program overreaches

Housing Wire

Unfortunately, one of the proposals the President mentioned in the SOTU was to revive a previously discredited and shelved pilot program that would waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance on certain refinances by Fannie Mae. In 2022, the industry paid more than $596.1 million in claims. This is up from $474.4

Title 395
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Opinion: The title industry supports innovation while prioritizing protection

Housing Wire

These innovations have helped — not hindered — title professionals offering the same, robust coverage and protection that homeowners have depended on for over a century. Some vendors push alternative title insurance products that are marketed as cheaper options. Not all innovations are created equal.

Title 405
article thumbnail

Biden tax credit to rehab homes is finally unveiled

Housing Wire

How hybrid title and valuations help increase lending efficiency. Why use several vendors for title searches, appraisals and underwriting when you can use one? Each state’s housing finance agency would administer the tax credits, which would be allocated by population. Streamline by combining services.

article thumbnail

Opinion: Title insurance matters. Here’s why.

Housing Wire

Additionally, the CFPB has shortsightedly questioned the benefits and cost of title insurance. It’s uncertain whether federal regulators are purposefully misleading Americans about the potential savings or just don’t understand how title insurance works. Title insurance is significantly different from other lines of insurance.

Title 334
article thumbnail

Financing Fell Through (and Other Lender-Financing Risks)

CT Homes

If your buyer’s financing fell through at the last moment, it’s likely due to an obstable encountered along the way, but by anticipating those fallbacks, you can hopefully identify a solution. In this post, we’ll cover the main contingencies lender-financed offers typically have and the main drawbacks of such offers. 5 Common Reasons.

Finance 52
article thumbnail

Opinion: Improving housing affordability without exposing homebuyers to more risk

Housing Wire

For example, recently, Fannie Mae has focused on expanding alternatives to title insurance as a way to supposedly increase homeownership affordability. For example, recently, Fannie Mae has focused on expanding alternatives to title insurance as a way to supposedly increase homeownership affordability.

Title 336