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Consumer advocate says policy changes are needed to help FHA buyers compete

Housing Wire

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is calling for policy changes that would help alleviate the difficulties for homebuyers using Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans when competing in tight markets. of the U.S. mortgage market in 2023, up from 14.3% in 2022, according to HUD. ”

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Agent commission lawsuits cast long shadow over VA, FHA borrowers

Housing Wire

In the aftermath, one of the most contentious issues in the minds of mortgage professionals is how the ruling might affect FHA and VA mortgage borrowers. FHA loans are a popular option for first-time homebuyers or those who don’t have a lot of cash saved for a down payment, because the loans require a minimum of 3.5%

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Interest rates plague Illinois agents and housing market

Housing Wire

Interest rates are a major headache for real estate agents across Illinois. On the sell side, agents say that low mortgage rates from a purchase or refinance transaction in late 2020 or early 2021 are keeping many potential sellers in their home. “A Again, agents attribute the cooler market to interest rates.

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Opinion: The myth of financing buyer agent commissions

Housing Wire

As a salve, a vocal minority of activists say that “simply” allowing the financing of buyer-agent commissions into mortgages will resolve all concerns. For reasons both practical and legal, buyer-agent commissions are not today explicitly financeable with a mortgage. Under the settlement, sellers can still compensate the buyer’s agent.

Finance 448
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‘Find buyers before agents!’ Mortgage industry reacts to the NAR settlement

Housing Wire

These housing professionals have been gaming out the potential impact on buyers’ agents – a significant source of referrals. Loan officers and mortgage executives expect home sellers and homebuyers to negotiate more aggressively on commission paid to buyer agents, potentially bringing costs down.

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Opinion: Agencies are key to fixing housing affordability

Housing Wire

This is significant, because as noted in CHLA’s Annual IMB Report , “84% of FHA loans were for first-time homebuyers, and FHA’s share of Black and Hispanic borrowers was twice the percentage of all other mortgage loans.” But now a new threat is emerging on this front. Such opportunities may arise.

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Three yards and a cloud of dust

Housing Wire

This is significant, because as noted in CHLA’s annual IMB Report , “84% of FHA loans were for first-time homebuyers, and FHA’s share of Black and Hispanic borrowers was twice the percentage of all other mortgage loans.” But now a new threat is emerging on this front. Such opportunities may arise.

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