The Federal Housing Administration has issued a "policy alert" to stop lenders from paying large fees to nonapproved FHA mortgage brokers for simply referring borrowers to their loan officers.The policy alert reminds FHA lenders that nonapproved brokers cannot perform loan origination services and that any fees paid by the lender or financed through the loan would be considered "duplicative" or "unearned" fees that violate the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Department of Housing and Urban Development officials discovered in early September that some lenders were charging points and paying nonapproved brokers $3,000 to $5,000 in fees. HUD officials considered this to be excessive and began calling lenders about the practice. (FHA lenders can pay yield-spread premiums to brokers if they are approved by the FHA.)
-
House Republicans overcame internal divisions to narrowly pass President Trump's tax and spending package Thursday afternoon. The measure would cut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding level, among other provisions.
6h ago -
A labor shortage is costing the market tens of thousands of new homes per year, and tariff uncertainty is adding thousands of dollars in expenses per unit.
6h ago -
The pace of revenue growth slowed toward the end of 2024, with the trend continuing into the first three months of this year, NAHB reported.
7h ago -
Capital One closed the deal to buy the credit card provider in May and as part of the review process, decided to exit its home equity lending business.
7h ago -
The 10 basis point decline in the 30-year fixed mortgage was the most since March and the first time rates are below 6.7% since April, Freddie Mac said.
8h ago -
The firm, now going by Fairway Home Mortgage, said the change is a representation of plans to create a "connected ecosystem."
8h ago