Originally published on August 12, 2021, by Quintin Simmons for Mortgage Association of Realtors.

WASHINGTON (August 12, 2021) – Continued low levels of housing inventory, combined with record-low mortgage rates spurring housing demand, have caused an increase in median sales prices for existing single-family homes in all but one of 183 measured markets during the second quarter of 2021. That is according to the National Association of Realtors®' latest quarterly report, which reveals that 94% of 183 metro areas also experienced double-digit price increases (89% in the first quarter of 2021).

Originally published on July 14, 2021, for BloombergNews.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said it was still too soon to scale back the central bank’s aggressive support for the U.S. economy, while acknowledging that inflation has risen faster than expected.

Originally published on July, 2021,  by Brian Fluhr for Veros.com.

Today Veros Real Estate Solutions, an industry leader in enterprise risk management and collateral valuation services, released its Q2 2021 VeroFORECASTSM data that anticipates home prices will continue to appreciate at high levels during the next 12 months in the 100 most-populated markets at a rate consistent with our previous update one quarter ago. Veros is committed to the data science of predicting home value based on rigorous analysis of the fundamentals and interrelationships of numerous economic, social, and geographic variables as they pertain to home value. This data-driven approach indicates that many of the top-performing cities are trending upwards at a double-digit rate. 

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Originally published on July 6, 2021, for the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this week issued a report highlighting legal violations identified by the Bureau’s examinations in 2020. The report also highlights prior CFPB supervisory findings that led to public enforcement actions in 2020 resulting in more than $124 million in consumer remediation and civil money penalties.

Originally published on June 30, 2021, for the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

​Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released a set of new and expanded statistical products from the National Mortgage Database (NMDB®). FHFA expanded the national statistics for new residential mortgage originations to include monthly, quarterly, and annual series for home purchase and refinance mortgages in all major market segments. FHFA also added a new series of national and state-level statistics for outstanding residential mortgages and an expanded series of national mortgage performance statistics for different market segments.

Originally published on June 23, 2021, by Jessica Gresko for APNews.com.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the president greater power to fire the head of the agency that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ruling that the agency’s structure violates the separation of powers principles in the Constitution.

Originally published on June 23, 2021, by Jessica Gresko for APNews.com.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the president greater power to fire the head of the agency that oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, ruling that the agency’s structure violates the separation of powers principles in the Constitution.

Originally published on June 30, 2021, for the Appraisal Institute. 

The Appraisal Institute Board of Directors on June 28 sent to 45-Day notice proposed amendments to Bylaws and Regulation Nos. 1-4 concerning Audit Committee Powers and Duties, the Candidate for Designation Program and Life Status and Designated Member Readmission.

Originally published on June 28, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today finalized amendments to the federal mortgage servicing regulations to reinforce the ongoing economic recovery as the federal foreclosure moratoria are phased out and which will help protect mortgage borrowers from unwelcome surprises as they exit forbearance. The amendments will support the housing market’s smooth and orderly transition to post-pandemic operation. The rules issued today will establish temporary special safeguards to help ensure that borrowers have time before foreclosure to explore their options, including loan modifications and selling their homes. The rules cover loans on principal residences, generally exclude small servicers, and will take effect on August 31, 2021.

Originally published in 2021 

Carefully crafted language, both specific and standard, is key in appraisal reports. One insured appraiser recently avoided a potentially costly lawsuit by including well-thought-out language that addressed issues related to large rural properties.

Originally published on June 7, 2021, by Robert Dietz for the National Association of Home Builders.

Ending a period of volume decline that began at the end of 2019, the volume of residential construction lending posted an increase during the first quarter of 2021. Nonetheless, overall residential construction loan volume ended the year lower due to accelerated sales growth, which reduced outstanding loans at a faster rate.

Originally published on June 3, 2021, for the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will continue to offer COVID-19 forbearance to qualifying multifamily property owners through September 30, 2021, subject to the continued tenant protections FHFA has imposed during the pandemic. This is the third extension of the programs, which were set to expire June 30, 2021.

Originally published on June 1, 2021, by the White House.

One hundred years ago, the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as “Black Wall Street,” was ruthlessly attacked by a violent white supremacist mob. An estimated 300 Black Americans were killed and another 10,000 were left destitute and homeless.

Originally published on May 19, 2021. by Fannie Mae.

Originally published on May 26, 2021, by Kriston Capps for Bloomberg CityLab.

Housing Secretary Marcia L. Fudge is making a stop on Wednesday morning at 18th and Vine, the intersection at the heart of Kansas City’s historic Jazz District. Backed by Missouri leaders, she’ll deliver remarks on a theme that she’s been repeating since her confirmation, in speeches, during testimony and over social media: “Housing is infrastructure.”

Originally published on May 19, 2021, for the M Report.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has published its proposed 2022-2024 Underserved Markets Plans, submitted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the Duty to Serve (DTS) program. The proposed Plans cover the period from January 1, 2022-December 31, 2024.

Originally published on May 17, 2021 by TheRealDeal.com. 

Developers who had hoped for potential expansion of Opportunity Zones won’t be getting their way.

The House on May 18 passed HR 3008, the Homebuyer Assistance Act, legislation reintroduced by Reps. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., and Van Taylor, R-Texas, that would amend the National Housing Act and allow state-licensed appraisers to perform appraisals for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The legislation would require compliance with existing appraiser education requirements.

A previous version of the bill was introduced in the last Congress and passed the House, but did not receive a vote in the Senate. House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters is working with Sherman and Taylor to help advance this version of the legislation.

Originally published on April 28, 2021, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

​​​​​​Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will implement a new refinance option for low-income borrowers with Enterprise-backed single-family mortgages. Eligible borrowers will benefit from a reduced interest rate and lower monthly payment. FHFA estimates that borrowers who take advantage of the new refinance option could save an average of between $100 and $250 a month.  

Originally published on April 27, 2021, by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) formally delayed the mandatory compliance date of the General Qualified Mortgage (QM) final rule from July 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022. The CFPB is taking this action to help ensure access to responsible, affordable mortgage credit, and preserve flexibility for consumers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects.