In a surprise move early on Monday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development withdrew a final rule that would simplify the mortgage closing process by revamping the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.Even though HUD Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson promised he would re-propose the rule at some point, industry lobbyists following the issue say RESPA reform is more or less dead for now. "I think the big losers are the large lenders that wanted to control the mortgage process by bundling," said one attorney. "The winners are the title groups, brokers, and smaller mortgage bankers." In a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, Secretary Jackson said, "I have heard from a number of members of Congress, on a bipartisan basis, who voiced concerns about not receiving the benefit of a full briefing of the RESPA rule before HUD sent it to OMB." HUD has been working on RESPA reform for at least two years. The agency sent a final rule to the OMB late last year. The OMB has been studying the rule since then, and recently asked for an extension on its review period.
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Fathom Holdings acquired START Real Estate to expand its first-time homebuyer program, the company announced Thursday.
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Noninterest income at the Minneapolis-based company jumped more than 10% during the third quarter, while asset quality improved and expenses held steady. "Our focus is very much on organic growth," said CEO Gunjan Kedia.
October 16 -
Observers believe the government shutdown and lack of data is keeping mortgage rates in the same narrow range, as investors have issues reading the tea leaves.
October 16 -
The Detroit-based mortgage bank's announcement trailed competitors' by over two weeks, but is taking a more aggressive risk-reward stance on the limit.
October 16 -
Despite the decrease, average profit margins approached 50%, as the lock-in effect continues to stymie inventory growth and keep home values elevated.
October 16 -
The head of the government-sponsored enterprises' oversight agency also asked existing investors to review risk factors as officials eye a new public offering.
October 15