Attorney General Schwalb Secures $500,000 from Title Insurance Company for Engaging in Illegal Kickback Scheme
October 27 2024 |
“My office is committed to ending illegal kickback schemes in the title insurance industry,” said District of Columbia Attorney General Schwalb. “Universal’s secretive conduct prevented District residents from making fully informed decisions about how to spend their hard-earned money when making one of the most significant investments they’ll ever make—buying a home. Universal’s business plan violated core free market principles – limiting customers’ choices and putting law-abiding competitors at a disadvantage.”
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New Home Sales Rise in September as Mortgage Rates Ease
October 24 2024 |
“Despite challenging affordability conditions, home builder confidence edged higher in October as they anticipate that mortgage rates will gradually, in an uneven manner, moderate in the coming months,” said Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan. “There is a significant need for additional housing supply, as many prospective home buyers are entering the market.”
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MBA White Paper: Reforms Needed to RESPA Section 8 to Better Serve Consumers, Mortgage Market
October 24 2024 |
“It is time to have a conversation about the purpose and effectiveness of RESPA Section 8. At 50 years old, there appears to be little evidence that the law’s intention of lowering settlement costs has ever occurred, and new marketing technologies and reforms since the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act have rendered it obsolete and costly with few consumer benefits,” said MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB.
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Existing-Home Sales Slid 1.0% in September
October 23 2024 |
“Home sales have been essentially stuck at around a four-million-unit pace for the past 12 months, but factors usually associated with higher home sales are developing,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “There are more inventory choices for consumers, lower mortgage rates than a year ago and continued job additions to the economy."
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 23 2024 |
“Mortgage rates saw mixed results last week, but the 30-year fixed rate remained unchanged at 6.52 percent. Application activity decreased to its lowest level since July, as both purchase and refinance applications saw declines,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
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Single-Family Starts Trend Higher in September
October 18 2024 |
“While single-family home building increased in September, higher mortgage interest rates in October are likely to place a damper on growth in next month’s data,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Nonetheless, NAHB is forecasting a gradual, if uneven, decline for mortgage rates in the coming quarters, with corresponding increases for single-family construction."
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ALTA Announces Winners of 2024 ALTA Our Values Awards
October 17 2024 |
The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, announced the winners of the 2024 ALTA Our Values Awards. The awards program showcases the title insurance industry’s Our Values initiative, which serves as a cultural compass and highlights core ideals ALTA members embrace.
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American Land Title Association Elects Richard Welshons as President
October 17 2024 |
“I am honored to serve as ALTA president during such a crucial time for our industry,” Welshons said. “Over the next year, I look forward to working with our members to promote the importance of title insurance in protecting property rights, advocating for sound industry regulations and ensuring that our workforce is prepared to meet the challenges ahead."
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Builder Confidence Edges Higher Despite Affordability Headwinds
October 17 2024 |
“While housing affordability remains low, builders are feeling more optimistic about 2025 market conditions,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan. “The wild card for the outlook remains the election, and with housing policy a top tier issue for candidates, policymakers should be focused on supply-side solutions to the housing crisis.”
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 16 2024 |
moved higher for the third consecutive week, with the 30-year fixed rate increasing to 6.52 percent, its highest level since August,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist. “The recent uptick in rates has put a damper on applications."
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Remodeling Market Sentiment Dips in Third Quarter
October 10 2024 |
“Although the overall RMI edged down for the third consecutive quarter, most remodelers remain optimistic about the market,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Pressgrove, a remodeler from Topeka, Kan. “However, some have potential customers who are citing the upcoming election as a reason for putting larger projects on hold.”
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 09 2024 |
“In the wake of stronger economic data last week, including the September jobs report, mortgage rates moved higher, with the 30-year fixed rate rising to 6.36 percent – the highest since August,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist.
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Fathom Holdings' Subsidiary, Verus Title, Expands Into Rhode Island
October 08 2024 |
Fathom Holdings Inc., a national, technology-driven real estate services platform, today announced the expansion of its subsidiary, Verus Title, into Rhode Island. This move marks a key milestone in Verus Title's growth strategy, extending its operations to 29 states across the U.S.
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MBA Promotes Wendy Penn to Vice President for Affordable Housing Initiatives
October 04 2024 |
“Wendy is a respected and successful leader in the housing affordability space and has an impressive track record before and during her time at MBA in leading initiatives that have made housing more accessible and affordable for all,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President.
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CATIC Is a 2024 Top Workplaces Award Winner in Connecticut
October 04 2024 |
CATIC is proud to be recognized as a regional Top Workplace winner again this year. "We are grateful for our hardworking and dedicated employees who have made us a part of this prestigious list," said James M. Czapiga, Esq., President and CEO of the CATIC Family of Companies.
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ALTA Reports Q2 2024 Title Insurance Premium Volume
October 03 2024 |
The title insurance industry generated $4.09 billion in title insurance premiums during the second quarter of 2024 compared with $3.92 billion during the same period a year ago, according to the American Land Title Association’s (ALTA’s) latest Market Share Analysis.
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Fidelity National Financial Acquires First Nationwide Title Agency
October 02 2024 |
Founded in 2012, FNTA has rapidly gained a reputation for its expertise in closing and insuring commercial real estate transactions all over the U.S. The company, headquartered in New York City, has been a trusted partner for some of the largest real estate developers, investors, and lenders.
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Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 02 2024 |
“Last week’s incoming data showed an economy that is still growing at a solid pace, even as inflation continues to decline. As a result, mortgage rates were up modestly, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate increasing slightly to 6.14 percent,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and Chief Economist. "With this move, refinance application volume declined on the week but remains almost three-times as high as last year’s pace.”
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Kensington Vanguard Completes Integration of BridgeTrust Title Group
October 01 2024 |
Prior to its consolidation with KV, BridgeTrust Title operated for more than 20 years as an independent title insurance agency, focusing on both commercial and residential transactions with 18 offices in 8 states and over 130 employees. All employees and offices are now fully integrated into KVConnect, the Kensington Vanguard technology and operating platform.
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