Articles for category: 2024 Blog

December 14, 2024

SusanIsaacs

Chasing r*

DESPERATELY SEEKING R STAR

Determining r* involves use of complex equations that include such factors as potential economic growth and determining how fast it can expand without lifting inflation or making assumptions about future economic conditions.

November 8, 2024

SusanIsaacs

Election Impact on DC real estate

ELECTION IMPACTS ON DC REAL ESTATE

In November, voters messaged that they're fed up with the high cost of living in the U.S. But the government they voted for is likely to worsen high prices, elevated interest rates and unaffordable housing if a number of planned policies are implemented.

September 10, 2024

SusanIsaacs

DC's AG shuts down JV scheme

DC AG KO’s TITLE JVs

District of Columbia AG Shuts Down Title Kickback Scheme Involving Joint Ventures With Agents Four DC title companies negotiate settlements with the Ofice of the Attorney General (OAG) after actions were brought against them for violating the DC anti-inducement provision that applies to title insurance, as well as unfair and deceptive trade practice prohibited under the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CCPA). Joint Ventures With Agent Owners Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements and Union Settlements will pay $3.29 million in fines DC Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced in late August that four District title companies; Allied

August 26, 2024

SusanIsaacs

Touring DC Homes

CHANGES TO DC HOME TOURING

The NAR Settlement Changed More Than Compensation Rules What DC Home Buyers Should Know About Touring, Open Houses & ‘Ministerial Acts’ DC Metro home buyers entering or re-entering the market this fall will find that mortgage interest rate cuts and broker compensation mandates aren’t the only changes they’ll encounter in the home purchase process for the foreseeable future. New rules for touring homes are now in place, visiting open houses may feel different, and the options for ministerial acts agents may provide to unrepresented buyers may become increasingly limited. That’s on top of the already-discussed ad nauseam changes to buyer

May 16, 2024

SusanIsaacs

Washington DC home appraisals

NEW APPRAISAL REVIEW PROCESS

HUD, GSEs to Offer New Appraisal Review Option Finally, an easier way to contest bad appraisals Home appraisals now warrant an official second look if they are inaccurate or bias is suspected in the process. Starting this August, HUD (U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development), FHA (Federal Housing Administration), and GSEs (government-sponsored enterprises) Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac will allow borrowers to request a re-assessment of the appraised value of their property. The ‘Reconsideration of Value’ policy offers an aligned approach for FHA-insured mortgages and those purchased or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. ‘ROV’ requires lenders to