article thumbnail

Reverse mortgage professionals react to H4P rule changes

Housing Wire

After the release of proposed new rules for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase (H4P) program late last year, the reverse mortgage industry expressed a lot of excitement. But after concerns were brought to the attention of policymakers during the proposal’s comment period, the U.S.

Mortgages 387
article thumbnail

‘Find buyers before agents!’ Mortgage industry reacts to the NAR settlement

Housing Wire

Mortgage pros have closely monitored the commission lawsuit developments since a Kansas City, Missouri jury determined that NAR, HomeServices of America , and Keller Williams conspired to inflate or maintain high commission rates through NAR’s so-called Participation Rule.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

Agencies aim to standardize ‘first-generation homebuyer mortgage’ definition

Housing Wire

First-generation homebuyers as a cohort are “less likely to receive financial assistance from parents to help with the down payment and other upfront costs when purchasing a home,” according to Freddie Mac. Identification of a loan under these conditions is currently optional, the bulletin explained.

Mortgages 426
article thumbnail

CFPB official talks reverse mortgage safety, counseling resources

Housing Wire

This may lead an older homeowner to consider a product like a reverse mortgage, but potential borrowers should be aware of the product’s details and the informational resources they can access. She said that reverse mortgages can be expensive, which is why the product should be considered in concert with other options.

Mortgages 402
article thumbnail

HUD walks back some proposed changes to HECM for Purchase program

Housing Wire

FHA will move forward with its proposal that permits contributions by the property seller, real estate agent, builder, or developer to HECM for Purchase borrowers’ closing costs,” the update said. Historically, mortgage lenders and originators have been prohibited from contributing to closing costs to protect borrowers.”

article thumbnail

Wells Fargo workers allege anti-Latino bias in predatory mortgage scheme

Housing Wire

District Court for the Western District of Texas by a group of current and former staffers from the company’s bilingual mortgage sales team alleging race-based discrimination. For example, Wells Fargo has developed an ‘Earn the Business’ program for the Bilingual team. Wells Fargo has been sued in U.S.

Mortgages 370
article thumbnail

Agent commission lawsuits cast long shadow over VA, FHA borrowers

Housing Wire

In the aftermath, one of the most contentious issues in the minds of mortgage professionals is how the ruling might affect FHA and VA mortgage borrowers. VA loans offer a 100% financing option for qualifying military service members and veterans, and don’t require mortgage insurance. points from the 7.5%

VA loan 454