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CFPB warns consumers about home equity contracts, comparing their features to reverse mortgages

Housing Wire

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) this month published an issue spotlight that takes a closer look at home equity contracts, or what the industry refers to as home equity investments (HEIs) that offer a lump sum payment to clients in exchange for a stake in their home equity.

Contracts 370
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Fix-and-flip investors say they’re discouraged by higher mortgage rates, home prices

Housing Wire

An index score above 50 indicates market expansion, while a score below 50 indicates contraction. Higher mortgage rates dissuaded would-be homebuyers from purchasing flipped properties, while growing competition from new and resale inventory made things more difficult for these investors.

Investors 434
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CFPB Acts Against Contract-for-Deed Investors Targeting Low-Income Borrowers

Appraisal Buzz

While the industry is no stranger to predatory and/or unfair lending practices, new advisory opinion and research study on a type of home seller financing known as a “contract for deed” has been released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is had a field hearing in St.

Contracts 367
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Buyers backing out of purchase agreements at elevated rates: Redfin

Housing Wire

of homes that went under contract. I don’t want my buyers to be surprised by all of the expenses that come with owning a home in Florida, so I advise them to proactively research the hefty costs of insurance, property taxes and HOA fees, in addition to the cost of their mortgage payment.” of purchase agreements.

Buyers 459
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CFPB takes enforcement action against former HECM servicing contractor

Housing Wire

NOVAD, which held the HUD HECM servicing contract for assigned loans from 2014 to 2022 , worked with Sutherland to form the HECM loan servicing operation on behalf of HUD. Celink was awarded the HECM servicing contract in 2022. NOVAD filed a protest in June of that year, but Celink assumed the contract in December.

Contracts 448
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EasyKnock wins arbitration case in Texas

Housing Wire

The ruling states that EasyKnock’s sale-leaseback agreement was a “valid and enforceable contract,” and the total amount awarded includes back rent owed, late fees and attorneys fees. “We According to legal documents , the couple later asserted that the sale-leaseback contract was a “disguised loan” under Texas law.

Legal 434
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Do Appraisal Gap Clauses Impact Appraisals?

Cleveland Appraisal Blog

An appraisal gap clause can be written into a contract. It states that the buyer will still purchase the home at the contract price, even if the appraised value is lower than the contract price by a certain amount. In this hot market, it’s not surprising that this type of clause is being written into some contracts.

Appraisal 402