Loan Think

Industry groups are growing skeptical about the prospects for a FHA reform bill as we get closer to the summer solstice.

The prevalence of short sales is likely the most significant factor impacting foreclosure rate improvements and the housing recovery.

An oversimplified but generally useful way of understanding what is included in the 3% cap, is that it is the same as the old definition of “finance charge,” with a few important additions.

For the most part, qualified mortgage/Ability-to-Repay guidelines should provide a level of compliance certainty. But are they still too severe?

Regulators, creditors, accountants and shareholders all have increased focus on this asset. Basel III implementation may further exacerbate this.

The amendment provides certain exceptions to this Dodd-Frank requirement that loan originator compensation be included in the total permissible points and fees for both Qualified Mortgages and high-cost loans.

Homeowners are “under paper” and unable to close on a home sale or refi transaction because a mortgage satisfaction has never been recorded in the public records.

Thinking about my own father and about my role as a father to my three children.

Ask any of us in real estate-related businesses to describe the perfect closing experience and you’ll likely get minor variations on this theme.

Leveraging advanced data techniques works for retail lenders even when the big consumer direct lenders may be using the same techniques to battle for the same “in the market” consumers.