Economists are raising red flags over former President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policy, warning that the reintroduction of steep tariffs could undo decades of global economic integration and steer the U.S. economy back toward the protectionist practices of the early 20th century. Recent estimates suggest that average U.S. tariff levels are now approaching highs not seen since 1910—a period marked by isolationism and economic volatility.
Zillow has announced a sweeping policy shift that aims to clamp down on the widespread use of “pocket listings”—properties marketed privately without being listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Starting May 1, homes that have been publicly marketed outside the MLS will no longer be allowed on Zillow’s platform. The move is being positioned as a step toward greater transparency and equal opportunity in home buying.
Mortgage rates continued to climb last week despite the Trump administration’s decision to delay certain trade tariffs, adding fresh pressure to an already strained housing market. The increase in borrowing costs came as a surprise to many industry watchers who had expected rate relief following news that some of the proposed tariffs would be postponed. Instead, the rise underscores the persistent influence of broader economic forces—especially inflation expectations and bond market volatility—on the cost of home loans.
The new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) spent much of last week issuing orders that rescinded or terminated policies put in place during the previous administration. FHFA Director William Pulte posted the series of orders on his X.com account last week.
The new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) took the opportunity of his swearing in to echo the Trump administration’s emphasis on government efficiency. William J. Pulte was confirmed by a 56-43 vote of the U.S. Senate last week as FHFA Director for a five-year term. Three Democrats voted with the Republican majority to approve President Trump’s nomination.
As a New York State resident that had about $40,000.00 Super Storm Sandy damage you would think obtaining some of the HUD Community Block Grant Money would be easy. New York as well as other states that had significant damage caused by Super Storm Sandy received billions of dollars from The United State Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Community Block Grant.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
As of January 10, 2014 the Qualified Mortgage (QM) rules become effective and HUD is no different. They too must have QM loans. On December 11, 2013 HUD released their definition of a QM mortgage. All FHA case numbers issued on or after January 10, 2014 will be issued with the understanding that the borrower(s) will fit under the QM rules and regulations.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
As an FHA originator, processor or underwriter, it’s likely that in the ongoing foreclosure market you’ll run across a HUD REO loan at some point. The purpose of this multi-part article is to provide you with some useful information to help in your endeavors.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
If only HUD would give me a job so I could revise their way of updating existing policies it would sure make a lot of our lives a whole lot easier so we could all work more efficiently! I don’t know about all of you but I sure get frustrated trying to sort through things like Mortgagee Letter 2012-18 while trying to compare it to the materials that were issued with Mortgagee Letter 2011-22.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
HUD formally announced upcoming changes to the FHA mortgage insurance structure in an email that went out to single family email subscribers on February 27th. A Mortgagee Letter is expected in the near future which will communicate final full details of the upcoming changes to the FHA mortgage insurance structure.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
We all knew it was coming and it looks like it is here and that being the announcement in the Federal Register that HUD intends to reduce the amount a seller can contribute towards borrowers closing costs from the current 6% to 3% as indicated previously in a Federal Register publication in July, 2010.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Handling purchase transactions which involve bank owned foreclosure sales are not limited to merely standard bank owned properties, and as I am sure you will all agree, each of us have handled our fair share of FHA property disposition cases.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
If you blinked you might have missed it but HUD recently communicated guidance to lenders on how to evaluate disputed credit accounts for FHA loans. The information was included in an outgoing announcement from Jerrold Mayer to the HUD email subscription list. The following guidance was not in the form of a Mortgagee Letter as one might expect:
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
In today’s real estate environment, Purchase transactions that involve bank owned properties are pretty common. Often these cases are originated under the FHA 203k mortgage insurance program due to the overall condition of the property and the need for the completion of certain repairs which are required for the property to meet HUD minimum property standards.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
I usually check HUD’s Mortgagee website at least once daily for any signs of newly issued Mortgagee Letters that haven’t yet been announced. Now if you’re like me, you take a look at the subject line, realize it doesn’t apply to your daily business and cruise right on past it and on to whatever else you’ve been working on.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Stacey Sprain
As an FHA originator, processor or underwriter, it’s likely that in the ongoing foreclosure market you’ll run across a HUD REO loan at some point. The purpose of this multi-part article is to provide you with some useful information to help in your endeavors.