Source of Title News

Confidence in the multifamily housing market remained positive in the first quarter of 2018, according to the Multifamily Production Index and the Multifamily Vacancy Index released today by the National Association of Home Builders.

Existing-Home Sales Slide 2.5 Percent in April
May 24 2018

After moving upward for two straight months, existing-home sales retreated in April on both a monthly and annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions saw no gain in sales activity last month.

April New Home Sales Inch Down 1.5 Percent, Stay Close to Post-Recession High
May 23 2018

Sales of newly built, single-family homes edged down 1.5 percent in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 662,000 units after a downwardly revised March report, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mortgage Rates Increase, Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
May 23 2018

Mortgage applications decreased 2.6 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 18, 2018.

National Association of Realtors® Applauds Passage of Banking Reform Bill
May 22 2018

The U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation today that the National Association of Realtors® believes will bring much-needed bank regulatory relief and consumer protections and is a step in the right direction for the industry.

National Association of Realtors® to Launch .realestate Top-Level Domain
May 21 2018

The National Association of Realtors® will be launching a new top-level domain, .realestate, later this year. The new domain extension is scheduled to be available in September for members of NAR, with a late November release to the general public.

Homes Sold Faster Than Ever in April; Prices Rose 7.6%
May 17 2018

The typical home that sold last month went under contract in just 36 days and the national median home sale price surpassed $300,000 for the first time on record.

Realtors® Midyear Forecast: Home Sales, Prices to Rise Despite Inventory, Affordability Challenges
May 17 2018

A stronger economy, wage growth and an improving job market are expected to march home sales and prices higher in 2018, but low supply and weakening affordability will tamper the rate of increases, according to speakers at a residential real estate forum during the 2018 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Mortgage E-closing Pioneer Mountain America Credit Union Implements Simplifile's Collaboration and Post Closing Services
May 17 2018

Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents, and counties, today announced that Mountain America Credit Union has implemented Simplifile Collaboration and Post Closing services to enhance the closing experience for its members.

Rethinking Real Estate Valuations and Alternatives to Traditional Appraisals
May 16 2018

Appraisals are a vital part of the real estate transaction and have traditionally been done in-person by an experienced appraiser, but efforts to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and incorporate more innovation, technology and data in the valuation process are expanding the use of alternative valuation methods.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
May 16 2018

Mortgage applications decreased 2.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 11, 2018.

Landscaping Can Significantly Impact Home Values, Appraisal Institute Says
May 15 2018

The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, today encouraged homeowners to pay close attention to their property’s landscaping as it could have a major impact on value.

Acting Director Mulvaney, Panelists Discuss Future of the CFPB and Real Estate Regulatory Policy
May 15 2018

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection plans to eliminate regulation by enforcement and increase regulatory clarity, according to speakers at the Regulatory Issues Forum at the 2018 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Mortgage Delinquencies Down in 1st Quarter of 2018
May 15 2018

The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties fell to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 4.63 percent of all loans outstanding at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

MBA Launches "mPower Moments" a New Video Series Providing Workplace Lessons, Highlighting Real Estate Finance Industry Leaders
May 10 2018

The Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) mPower, or MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach, today launched mPower Moments, a new monthly MBA video series where Marcia M. Davies, MBA's Chief Operating Officer and the founder of mPower, discusses issues important to the mPower community with her guest.

April New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 7.5 Percent Year over Year
May 10 2018

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Applications Survey (BAS) data for April 2018 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 7.5 percent compared to April 2017. Compared to March 2018, applications decreased by 5 percent.

Rising Incomes Boost Housing Affordability in First Quarter of 2018
May 10 2018

Strong wage growth more than offset an increase in mortgage interest rates to boost nationwide housing affordability in the first quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) released today.

Pavaso Partners with MBH Settlement Group for Digital Closings
May 09 2018

Pavaso will collaborate with MBH, Virginia’s largest settlement services provider, to offer digital closings. Pavaso is the developer of the industry’s only digital closing platform that brings lender, title and borrower together in one single digital portal.

Mortgage Applications Slightly Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
May 09 2018

Mortgage applications decreased 0.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 4, 2018.

Simplifile Begins E-recording with Collier County, Fla.
May 09 2018

Simplifile, a leading provider of real estate document collaboration and recording technologies for lenders, settlement agents, and counties, announced that it has begun e-recording with Collier County, Fla.

Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Remains Healthy in First Quarter
May 03 2018

Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market dropped five points to 66 in the first quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The decline came off of an all-time high reading of 71 from the fourth quarter of 2017.

MBA Forecasts Slight Decline for Commercial/Multifamily Originations in 2018
May 03 2018

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) projects commercial and multifamily mortgage originations will decline slightly in 2018, ending the year at $519 billion, down two percent from the 2017 volumes.

New NAHB Publication Encourages Builders to Work with Brokers to Sell New Homes
May 02 2018

BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released a new publication, Partnering with Brokers to Win More Sales by Quint Lears, MIRM.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
May 02 2018

Mortgage applications decreased 2.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 27, 2018.

Statement from NAR President Mendenhall Regarding Fannie, Freddie Profits
May 02 2018

Government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both reported multi-billion dollar profits this week. NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor® from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty called on the Federal Housing Finance Agency to reduce the fees the GSEs charge to lenders and homebuyers.