Uncategorized
August 25, 2014

Mortgage Pre-qualification is Coming to a Website Near You

These days, just about every agent has their own website. For the most part, they are all more or less the same, and it’s getting harder and harder to make them stand out from the crowd. They’ve all got blogs and neighborhood guides and mortgage calculators. Visitors can expect to…
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Uncategorized
August 18, 2014

Seven Reasons You Need to Start Using Video Yesterday

Video content is quickly becoming the next big thing in real estate marketing. These days, almost every agent has their own website, with an IDX platform and social media and blogs and all of that. Monster companies like Zillow are making it harder for anyone to rank well in search…
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Compliance
August 15, 2014

Help Spread the Word About Foreclosure Relief Scams

The CFPB is going after companies and individuals who are seeking to take advantage of distressed homeowners. Specifically, they’re targeting those who coerce or trick owners into paying up-front fees in exchange for promises of future debt relief in the form of loan modifications. These predatory practices are nothing new.…
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Uncategorized
August 13, 2014

WFG National Title Promotes Thompson to SVP

Oversees agency operations in LA, MS Santa Barbara, CA August 12, 2014                Earle Thompson has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Agency Division with WFG National Title Insurance Company (WFG National Title). WFG National Title is the fastest growing national title insurance underwriting company and a full service provider of…
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cfpbCompliance
August 12, 2014

CFPB Shuts Down a Finance Monster

Colfax Capital Corporation, formerly known as Rome Finance, has long been one of the most egregious violators of ethical and legal standards in the financial services sector. A recent ruling by the CFPB and several State’s Attorneys General have officially put an end to that. In 2010, they were sued…
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Market Statisticsmillenial
August 11, 2014

Market Watch: Where the Young People Are

The NAR recently released a study showing the best markets for Millennial home buyers. Austin, Dallas and Denver top the list of cities deemed best for the newest generation of buyers. With the exception of Washington DC, none of the top cities are located on the east coast. The combination…
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Compliance
August 7, 2014

CFPB Has the Answers Consumers Need

As part of its mandate under the Dodd-Frank bill, the CFPB is tasked with increasing financial literacy among the nation’s citizens. Along with writing and enforcing legislation geared toward creating a fair and open financial marketplace, the CFPB wants consumers to better understand the financial tools and services available to…
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Compliance
August 6, 2014

Watch Out Agents, California is Sweating the Small Stuff

The State of California Bureau of Real Estate recently announced that it has updated its policies surrounding compliance laws. Specifically, it has instituted a “cite and fine” policy for minor infractions, with fines up to $2500.   According to their report, “A citation or other formal action will be considered…
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Compliance
August 5, 2014

CFPB Celebrates Third Birthday

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, formed in the wake of the financial meltdown of 2008, officially turned three years old this month. Since its creation, the CFPB has grown into an effective force for change and regulation in the financial services industry. They’ve already handled over “400,000 complaints in multiple…
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Compliance
August 1, 2014

Be Careful with Kickbacks, says CFPB

Last month, the CFPB fined a title company $30k for improperly paying out referral fees to mortgage brokers. “Kickbacks drive up the costs of getting a mortgage and put law-abiding companies at a disadvantage,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “The Consumer Bureau will continue to take action against companies that…
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