Statistically-Supported Appraisals Can Weather A Perfect Storm
REQUIRED READING: The appraisal industry is confronting a level of scrutiny, competition and regulation that some have characterized as the 'perfect storm.' How...
The Role of Valuations In Conservation Easements
REQUIRED READING: The creation of conservation easements, which are land preservation agreements between landowners and qualified environmental organizations or governmental bodies, is currently...
Missing The Point On The Mortgage Interest Deduction
BLOG VIEW: With all of the hullabaloo in Washington over the 'fiscal cliff' and ways to generate new revenue, the holy grail of...
Has The Federal Reserve Weakened The Economy?
WORD ON THE STREET: The last five years have been an extraordinary time for the global economy and monetary policymakers. The financial crisis...
Private Capital Would Return If Policymakers Pay Attention
REQUIRED READING: Since 2008, housing finance and federal policies have been totally intertwined. The result: More than 95% of all originations and virtually...
Will The CFPB Obliterate The Warehouse Lending Sector?
REQUIRED READING: April 13, 2012 - remember that date, because the game may have changed significantly for warehouse lending on that day! Specifically,...
Marcy J. Ford Takes The USFN Steering Wheel
PERSON OF THE WEEK: Last month, Marcy J. Ford began a two-year term as president of the USFN, a 50-state trade association serving...
Should Walmart Get Into Mortgage Banking?
BLOG VIEW: Earlier this month, a poll conducted by Charlotte, N.C.-based Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group asked American consumers if they would consider...
Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow In Housing
WORD ON THE STREET: The multiyear boom and bust in housing prices of the past decade, together with the sharp increase in mortgage...
Creating A Bulk Buying Process To Ensure Property Repair Savings
REQUIRED READING: Servicers and investors count on their field service partners to help maximize the value of real estate owned (REO) portfolios with...
Is It Time To Take Control Of Your Appraisal Management?
REQUIRED READING: It doesn't take a Type-A personality to want control over the appraisal effort. Nearly all lenders are concerned about their processes...
Robert Klein Takes On The Community Blight Crisis
PERSON OF THE WEEK: Rome, we've been told, was not built in a day - and the excessive level of community blight that...
Holiday Gifts For The Mortgage Banking Industry
BLOG VIEW: You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout - I'm telling you why! Yes, I am back...
We Need To Know The Truth About Basel III
WORD ON THE STREET: The primary goal of Basel III is to strengthen bank capital requirements. This is a worthy goal, as strong...
Eviction, California-Style
REQUIRED READING: In order to reduce the impact of foreclosures on the California economy and provide some stability with respect to residential housing,...
When Servicing Cost Containment Becomes A Horror Story
REQUIRED READING: Everyone loves a good horror story - as long as it is make-believe, of course. For too many servicing operations, however,...
Cory Fritzler Shines A Light On Florida’s Housing Market
PERSON OF THE WEEK: The past few years have not been easy for real estate professionals in Florida, but it appears that the...
Obama, The Fiscal Cliff And The Federal Housing Policy Crisis
BLOG VIEW: During his post-election press conference on Nov. 14, President Obama trotted out his trademark cynicism to push for federal income tax...
Entering A New Era In Bank Supervision
WORD ON THE STREET: The worst days of that crisis seem very far behind us, so much so that I sometimes worry that...
Using REITs To Finance Solar Power Development
REQUIRED READING: Investment in solar energy projects is being threatened. A number of factors are contributing to this situation. The investment tax credit...