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California MBA urges guardrails for bill targeting wildfire-related forbearance

California, CMBA, Forbearance, Housing Market, HWmember, Legislation, Mortgage, Natural Disaster, Wildfire /

The California Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA) testified on March 20 before the California Assembly Banking & Finance Committee during an oversight hearing on California Assembly Bill 238, which focuses on the effectiveness of mortgage forbearance and the broader challenges facing homeowners affected by the state’s January 2025 wildfires. AB 238 provides up to one year […]

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16 attorneys general sue HUD over fair housing guidance

California, Discrimination, Fair Housing, Housing Market, HUD, HWmember, Lawsuit, Legal, Regulatory, Scott Turner /

A coalition of 16 attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), alleging the agency is attempting to force states to weaken their housing discrimination protections. The dispute centers on written guidance issued by HUD in September to state and local agencies that participate in the Fair

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USDA rural housing loan changes could limit California buyers

Affordability, California, First-Time Homebuyers, Housing Market, HWmember, Mortgage, Regulatory, USDA /

Housing advocates warn that recent changes to a federal rural lending program could sharply limit homeownership opportunities for low-income families in California communities. The California Coalition for Rural Housing said revisions made Feb. 10 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Section 502 Direct Loan program reduce the maximum loan amount allowed under the program

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Old Republic Title shifts direct operations to Qualia

Arizona, California, Hawaii, HWmember, Nevada, Old Republic, Oregon, Qualia, Title, Title insurance, Washington /

Old Republic Title is moving its direct operations onto Qualia’s cloud-based platform, marking a technology shift for one of the nation’s largest title insurance underwriters. The rollout began with Oregon operations moving to Qualia’s system — with transition expected to continue across western states. “Old Republic’s decision to move its direct operations onto Qualia is

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Rocket Mortgage alleges $194,000 loss in broker fraud lawsuit

California, HWmember, Lawsuit, Legal, Michigan, Mortgage, Mortgage Fraud, Rocket Mortgage, United Wholesale Mortgage /

Rocket Mortgage has sued a California mortgage brokerage and one of its executives, alleging they knowingly submitted fraudulent loan applications that concealed borrowers’ debts and caused financial losses after the loans were sold to investors. In a complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Rocket Mortgage said Sharp

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Trump executive order overrides Los Angeles wildfire rebuilding plan

California, Donald Trump, FEMA, Housing Market, HWmember, Los Angeles, Natural Disaster, Politics, Wildfire /

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced an executive order that allows the federal government to override state and local regulations during recovery efforts from last year’s Los Angeles wildfires, arguing that California authorities have slowed rebuilding. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and local permitting processes for federally funded disaster recovery projects, asserting

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California insurance regulation will need more enforcement, experts say

California insurance regulation will need more enforcement, experts say

California, Property and casualty insurance, Regulation and compliance /

Takeaways: Processing Content Penalties for claims payment delays are not retroactive Provisions duplicate existing regulations Practical aspects of adjusting claims not accounted for California’s latest legislation and newest laws regarding the home insurance market will not have much impact, for several reasons, according to attorneys representing both policyholders and insurers. Policyholder attorneys and advocates call

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MetroList broadens California MLS footprint

California, HWmember, MetroList, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents /

MetroList— northern California’s largest multiple listing service (MLS) — has added the Madera County Association of Realtors to its platform. With the addition of the Madera County Association, MetroList now serves 15 counties in central and northern California and supports listing data sharing across 29 counties. The move broadens market visibility for member listings and

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New Venture Escrow expands into Los Angeles

California, HWmember, Los Angeles, Real Estate, Real Estate Agents, Title, Title insurance /

New Venture Escrow has opened a new office in Los Angeles, expanding its operations into one of the nation’s largest real estate markets. The independent escrow company said the new location will be staffed by escrow officers Marcine Kline and Carmen Alvarado — two longtime professionals in the Los Angeles area. The duo brings decades

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Sonic Fire Tech launches infrasound wildfire defense system in California

California, HWmember, Natural Disaster, Technology, The Builder's Daily, Wildfire /

Sonic Fire Tech recently announced the commercial rollout of its Sonic Home Defense system, a wildfire defense system in California that extinguishes fires using inaudible, infrasound technology instead of water or chemicals.  The product has personal significance for Remington Hotchkis, chief commercialization officer at Sonic Fire Tech, whose family home in Altadena burned down in

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