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‘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. Assisting homebuyers and their agents adds more to an LO’s plate.

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Title waiver pilot program will have little impact on the industry: Fitch Ratings

Housing Wire

Despite the protests of the title insurance industry, Fitch Ratings does not believe the lender title insurance waiver pilot program for certain refinance transactions announced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on Thursday will have an impact on title insurer ratings. Soham Bhonsle, an analyst at BTIG, shares a similar outlook.

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Opinion: How the title industry protects homeowners

Housing Wire

When people think about the title insurance industry , what comes to mind is often its core products – title insurance policies that protect property rights of homeowners and lenders. As an industry, our commitment to protection goes beyond title insurance policies. As an industry, we united against these unfair fee agreements.

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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.”

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Homebuyer Beware: 9 Unexpected Mortgage Closing Costs to Watch Out For

HomeLight

It’s no secret that the mortgage industry isn’t super transparent about closing costs. According to a February 2017 report from ClosingCorp, more than half of homebuyers surveyed were surprised by their closing costs. Third-party fees: The second group of closing costs is third-party fees.

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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. Certner cited fair lending concerns and the potential of undue borrower influence. They’re using it to help shape the process going forward.

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Uncovering Hidden Savings: Helping Create Lifelong Clients by Reducing Title and Closing Costs

RIS Media

And, for agents, every opportunity to help clients save money is an opportunity to gain their trust and appreciation—two ingredients for… The post Uncovering Hidden Savings: Helping Create Lifelong Clients by Reducing Title and Closing Costs appeared first on RISMedia.