Real estate flooded with only a sign and tree tops visible above the water

Flood Insurance, Commercial Real Estate and Climate Change

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Elliott Caplan

Climate change is forcing the commercial real estate industry to re-think the effectiveness of flood insurance that developers, lenders and investors have relied on for decades. Rising sea levels and more extreme weather events could push that reliance to a breaking point. In 2018, approximately US$91 billion in damages resulted from 14 weather and climate [...]

microphone and software used for real estate podcasting

5 reasons why every real estate agent should embrace podcasting

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Elliott Caplan

And some reasons why you should look into advertising on a podcast Very Interesting Article on Real Estate branding via Podcasting – Elliott Caplan Real estate agents are always looking for that competitive edge, that unique way to stand out and be found, known, and remembered in their local market. But how? While there are many great [...]

House that has been privately listed without an MLS

The Crackdown on Secret Real Estate Listings

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Elliott Caplan

Crackdown on Private Listings: The National Association of Realtors is cracking down on “private listings,” properties that aren’t listed publicly on the multiple listing service and get shown to only a handful of buyers. New Policy Adopted: The industry group recently adopted a policy that requires its agents to submit a real estate listing to the MLS within one [...]

Long-Awaited FHA Condo Rule Goes into Effect Oct. 15

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

FHA Condo Rule Goes Into Effect: On August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the long-awaited final rule on project approval for single-family condominiums insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). For many years, NAR urged HUD to finalize changes to the previous rule that would ease restrictions on FHA financing [...]

Icon with phone scam surounded by a read circle and slas

Breaking: Major Telecoms and Attorneys General Partner to Fight Illegal Robocalls

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

The Backstory: Nobody likes robocalls What They Did: According to North Carolina Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, telephone companies will work to prevent illegal robocalls by: Implementing call-blocking technology at the network level at no cost to customers; Making available to customers additional, free, easy-to-use call blocking and labeling tools; Implementing call authentication technology to [...]

emotional support annimals - are they allowed in businesses?

Does Your Business Have a Legal Obligation to Accept Customers with Emotional Support (Comfort) Animals?

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

Does Your Business Have a Legal Obligation to Accept Customers with Emotional Support (Comfort) Animals? What’s happening: Recent news coverage of Delta and United’s efforts to balance passenger and crew safety with accommodation of service and emotional support animals has added to the confusion regarding a business’s legal obligation to admit customers with emotional support [...]

Choosing the right real estate, house or new home

Expert: AVMs will soon represent 70% of valuations

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

Represent a viable option for much of the current origination volume Key takeaways: Automated valuation models often come under special scrutiny as mortgage experts seek to increase technology in the industry while warding off the possibility of another housing crisis, but one expert explained why AVMs could work in today’s mortgage lending environment. Why it [...]

A hand forms the shape of a lightbulb, signifying industry innovation and disruption by technology

Is Your MLS Fueling Disruption Through Inaction?

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

Today, hundreds of MLSs and real estate brokerages are battling disruptors hoping to take over our position as the first point of contact for consumers looking to buy or sell property. Why it matters: For too long, third-party advertising websites have co-opted a space that rightfully belongs to real estate professionals. The big picture: The [...]

HUD declares FHA is no longer backing DACA mortgages

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

“DACA recipients remain ineligible for FHA loans” – HUD Official Len Wolson writes to California Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar What’s Happening: Uncertainty has reigned as mixed signals abound regarding eligibility of DACA recipients for mortgage insurance. In a letter sent this week to Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-CA, HUD Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations Len [...]

11th Cir. Holds Moving to Reset Foreclosure Sale During Loss Mit Did Not Violate RESPA or FDCPA

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Elliott Caplan

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a borrower’s claim, holding that a mortgage servicer’s motion to reschedule a previously set foreclosure sale after it approved the borrower for a trial loan modification plan did not violate the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act because the motion to reschedule [...]