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Compass’s title firm runs into trouble in Washington

Housing Wire

The state of Washington is set to revoke the license of Modus , a title and escrow service software company owned by Compass, effective April 1. The complaint points to six separate instances where Modus gave or offered to give non title-related services without charging or receiving a fee equal in value to the services provided.

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ALTA on new Fannie policy: title insurance “will always be essential”

Housing Wire

Fannie Mae generated some buzz last week when it announced it would be accepting written attorney opinion letters in lieu of a title insurance policy “in limited circumstances.”. In an email, Fannie Mae confirmed that the impetus for this change was that the use of AOLs could potentially reduce title costs for borrowers.

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Biden tax credit to rehab homes is finally unveiled

Housing Wire

How hybrid title and valuations help increase lending efficiency. Why use several vendors for title searches, appraisals and underwriting when you can use one? Investors who acquire and renovate older homes could claim the credit on their federal tax returns, as long as the home is sold to and occupied by an eligible buyer.

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Fannie Mae expands use of AOLs in selling guide update

Housing Wire

In an update to its selling guide , Fannie Mae announced Wednesday that it was expanding the use of attorney opinion letters in lieu of title insurance. Fannie Mae first announced that it would accept loans secured with an AOL in lieu of title insurance in limited circumstance in April 2022.

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Biden outlines housing proposals during State of the Union

Housing Wire

Then he spoke about a more controversial element to the housing plan announced earlier on Thursday: cutting the requirement for title insurance on some loans. And my administration is also eliminating title insurance on federally-backed mortgages,” he said. When you refinance your home, you can save $1,000 more as a consequence.”

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Biden to call for first-time homebuyer tax credit, construction of 2 million homes

Housing Wire

In the address, the president will call for a $10,000 tax credit for both first-time homebuyers and people who sell their starter homes; the construction and renovation of more than 2 million additional homes; and cost reductions for renters. It is also wary of some of the proposals.

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HUD affordability plan doesn’t include lowering FHA premiums

Housing Wire

Senior officials at the Department of Housing and Urban Development , which houses the FHA, said today during a press briefing that it would focus on improving financing for manufactured homes and revamp its renovation financing. It’s been a long time since anyone has given [Title I] a lot of love,” a senior HUD official said.

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