October 9, 2025
In This Issue:
- FinCEN Announces GTO Reporting in Seven Texas Counties to Continue Through Feb. 28, 2026. Recently Delayed Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule to Replace GTOs March 1.
- ICYMI: Fannie and Freddie Waive Some Loan Requirements Amid Shutdown
- President Trump Urges Fannie, Freddie to Boost Homebuilding
FinCEN Announces GTO Reporting in Seven Texas Counties to Continue Through Feb. 28, 2026. Recently Delayed Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule to Replace GTOs March 1.
FinCEN | Oct. 9, 2025
FinCEN Renews GTOs Effective Oct. 10
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
announced the renewal of its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases of residential real estate. The GTOs are effective beginning October 10, 2025
Texas Counties Included in GTO
The following Texas counties are included in this GTO: Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis, and Webb
Review the GTO Order »
Review FAQs re: GTOs »
FinCEN Announces Postponement of Residential Real Estate Reporting Until March 1, 2026
"To reduce business burden and ensure effective regulation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it will postpone reporting requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule (RRE Rule) until March 1, 2026. FinCEN is taking this step to provide industry with more time to comply—consistent with the Administration’s agenda to reduce compliance burden—while still adequately protecting the U.S. financial system from money laundering, terrorist financing, and other serious illicit finance threats.
"To implement this extension, FinCEN issued a temporary order granting exemptive relief from the reporting requirements. In the interim, any Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders will remain in effect."
Read the announcement »
Review exemptive relief order »
TLTA Editor's Note: Effectively communicating the impacts on title agents of the new residential real estate reporting requirement helped convince decision-makers to delay its implementation. Here are some of the ways our community shared that message:
TLTA comments to FinCEN »
ALTA comments to FinCEN »
Texas Congressman Roger Williams asks FinCEN Director about title agents »
ICYMI: Fannie and Freddie Waive Some Loan Requirements Amid Shutdown
HousingWire | Oct. 2, 2025
GSEs and other agencies issued guidance on last week for mortgage lenders and servicers during the current government shutdown, which affects federal employees, services, contractors, vendors and other businesses.
Learn more »
President Trump Urges Fannie, Freddie to Boost Homebuilding
HousingWire | Oct. 5, 2025
President Trump called on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to spur more homebuilding in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
Read more »