February 16, 2022

In This Issue:

  • TREC Asked for Our Industry's Help - Please Complete Their Survey Today
  • Early Voting for March Primary Underway Feb. 14–25
  • CFPB Launches New Way for the Public to Petition the Agency for Action
  • With Strategic Plan, FHFA Charts New Course
  • ALTA Board of Governors Approves Revised Forms, New Endorsement

TREC Asked for Our Industry's Help - Please Complete Their Survey Today

TLTA | Feb. 16, 2022
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) reached out directly to ask for our industry’s help. 
 
TREC is conducting a study on wholesaling (i.e., when a party enters into a contract to buy real estate and then sells their contractual interest in the property to a third party prior to closing). We recently ran a different version of TREC’s survey here in Dateline, but this is a special version of their survey customized for title professionals:

Complete TREC's Survey Now »

This survey is a unique opportunity to help TREC – one of our industry’s most valued partners in the real estate marketplace. Would you help by completing TREC’s survey today, please?
 
Thank you in advance for helping us strengthen our relationship with a key industry partner by taking a moment to answer their brief, anonymous survey. 
 

Early Voting for March Primary Underway Feb. 14–25

TLTA | Feb. 16, 2022
Early voting for the March 1 primary election began Feb. 14 and continues through March 25.
 
Texas is an open primary state. As long as you are registered to vote, you can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Regardless of the primary in which you choose to vote, you can vote for candidates of any party during the general election in November. 
 
On this year's primary election ballots you will find legislative, statewide, congressional and State Board of Education candidates. 
 
Voter turnout in Texas is the among the lowest in the nation, so please make a plan to vote early, and be sure to remind your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers that voting is one of our country's most cherished liberties.
 
As always, if you would like to discuss any of the candidates on your ballot or the impact of this election on our industry, please contact TLTA's Government Affairs Director, Aaron Day 
  
Early Voting: Feb 14 - 25  
Primary Election: March 1  
  
Polling Location and Other Info From Texas Secretary of State »
More Primary Election Information From the Texas Tribune »
 

CFPB Launches New Way for the Public to Petition the Agency for Action

CFPB | Feb. 16, 2022
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today made it easier for the public to meaningfully engage with the agency and request regulatory changes. Starting today, members of the public can submit petitions for rulemaking directly to the CFPB. The petitions will be posted on public dockets for review and comment.
 
These reforms will make it easier for individuals to directly submit a petition for rulemaking to the CFPB. Members of the public can request that the agency pursue a new rule, amend an existing one, or repeal a rule. Former government employees and other individuals who are paid to influence the agency’s rulemaking agenda behind the scenes will be asked to submit their petition for public inspection instead.
 
Read CFPB's Press Release » 
 

With Strategic Plan, FHFA Charts New Course

HousingWire | Feb. 14, 2022
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), in its new strategic plan, indicated it is heading in a different direction than under the Trump administration.

The conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last week laid out three broad strategic goals for 2022 to 2026: safety and soundness, equitable access to affordable and sustainable housing, and responsibly managing FHFA’s infrastructure.
 
Read More »
Review FHFA's Strategic Plan » 
 

ALTA Board of Governors Approves Revised Forms, New Endorsement

ALTA | Feb. 10, 2022
ALTA’s Board of Governors approved a recommendation to adopt several revised ALTA Policy Forms and a new American Lands Waivers and Consents Endorsement during its winter meeting Feb. 1.
 
The new and revised forms include:
  • ALTA Endorsement – Native American Lands Waivers and Consents (New Endorsement)
  • ALTA Policy – Residential Limited Coverage Mortgage Modification Policy (Revised Policy)
  • ALTA Policy – Junior Loan Policy (Revised Policy)
  • ALTA Policy – Short Form Junior Loan Policy (Revised Policy)
  • ALTA Addendum – Addendum to Short Form Junior Loan Policy (Revised Addendum, found within the Short Form Junior Loan Policy)
  • ALTA Endorsements to Junior Loan Policy – JR 1 and JR 2 (Revised Endorsements)
Learn More »
 
TLTA Editor's Note: A subcommittee within TLTA's Regulatory Committee are reviewing these changes to ALTA forms to determine if similar changes should be proposed for Texas (TDI) promulgated forms.  


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