News

REALTORS® in the Novato area advised to be mindful when securing vacant homes. Throughout the last year, the Marin County Sheriff's Office and Novato Police Department have received complaints of trespassers forcing entry or finding an open door and entering vacant listings. During some of the incidents items inside have been damaged or stolen and more»

The San Rafael City Council recently put forth a draft of their proposed “Wildfire Prevention and Protection Action Plan”, a comprehensive update to city regulations aimed at reducing the impact and spread of future wildfires. The plan is far-reaching, setting out regulations for everything from definitions for ignition zones, a broadening of more»

On September 12, 2017, NAR sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as well as to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively the GSEs), commenting on the recent decision by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to allow for data-based valuations rather than traditional in-person appraisals in certain purchase transactions. Given recent complaints of more»

The Senate confirmed Pam Patenaude as Deputy Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by a vote of 80-17. NAR is a strong supporter of Ms. Patenaude, and just last week coordinated a letter of more than 60 groups urging her vote. Ms. Patenaude had vast expience in the housing industry, having worked at HUD, the New Hampshire more»

NAR and a coalition of 60 groups sent a letter to the Senate leadership this week, urging a vote on Pam Patenaude to be Deputy Secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ms. Patenaude was reported favorably by the Senate Banking Committee back in June, but her vote has not come to the Senate Floor. Ms. Patenaude previously worked more»

On Aug. 30, 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released Mortgagee Letter 2017-13, Extension of Temporary Approval Provisions for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Condominium Project Approval Process, which extends the current temporary guidelines on condominium projects until HUD publishes and implements the Final Rule of more»

On Thursday, Sept. 7, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup of H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017, sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX). The Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) considered the legislation, which adds a "notice-and-cure" provision to the Americans with more»

On August 18, 2017, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, collectively the Government Sponsored Entities (GSEs), announced they would allow for the use of their proprietary automated valuation tools in lieu of traditional appraisals for some purchase loan transactions. Freddie Mac will utilize their automated collateral evaluation (ACE) to determine home value more»