The real estate industry, much like a soundly built house, relies on a strong foundation. However, even the sturdiest of foundations need renovating. The same is true in the constantly evolving world of real estate. Real estate professionals tend to lag behind professionals in other industries in updating their processes for the digital world. In… Read more »
In a rare case of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3192 on October 7th, creating a mandatory hold harmless period for companies making efforts in good faith to comply with the TRID integrated disclosure that went into effect October 3rd, 2015. The hold harmless period will last through February 1st, 2016…. Read more »
Know the Potential The first step toward mastering social media is understanding the potential. Social media offers opportunities that businesses in years past could only dream. Recognizing the huge upside (and minimal cost) of social media can motivate your decision to invest time and energy to develop a social media presence. Together, Facebook, Twitter, and… Read more »
China has now surpassed Canadian, European, and Mexican citizens to become the number one foreign stakeholders in U.S. real estate. They currently hold 16% of the international market in U.S. homes. Canadians are in second place with 14% of the market. Behind Canada, are Mexican buyers with 9%. Why the Rise in Chinese Investment? This… Read more »
Citing an administrative error and the fact that extending the “effective date would better accommodate the interests of the many consumers and providers whose families will be busy with the transition to the new school year”, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is extending the TRID integrated disclosure effective date to October 1. The extension is… Read more »
Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart way to lower your monthly expenses and provide additional cash for your business. Lending institutions continue to offer favorable interest rates, and this might be a good time to take advantage of looser credit restrictions to utilize this money-saving tactic. But before you make the move to refinance… Read more »
Owning a home was once the American dream, but it seems that members of Generation X would rather rent than purchase. The surprising trend has its reasons, and there is a good chance that Generation Xers will continue to balk at the idea of making such a major purchase. Decreasing Numbers of Homeowners in Generation… Read more »
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was established by the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 as part of the federal government’s response to the financial crisis of 2008. Like any economic development, good or bad, the 2008 real estate market crisis consisted of a dangerous combination of irresponsible lenders, unsophisticated borrowers and weak consumer protection in… Read more »
From May 18 – 20, title industry professionals are flocking to the nation’s capital for ALTA’s 2015 Federal Conference and Lobby Day. “Government policy has changed the marketplace and affected the way ALTA members conduct business. While our industry has met shifting expectations, we must continue to explain to legislators and regulators the value of… Read more »