December 4, 2025

In This Issue:

  • Seller Impersonation Fraud Criminal Statute That TLTA Championed Goes Into Effect Today, Dec.4; Dozens of Other New Laws Go Into Effect in December and January
  • ICYMI: Special Runoff Elections Will Be Held Jan. 31
  • FHFA Announces Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026

Seller Impersonation Fraud Criminal Statute That TLTA Championed Goes Into Effect Today, Dec. 4; Dozens of Other New Laws Go Into Effect in December and January

TLTA | Dec. 4, 2025

Senate Bill 16, the deed fraud bill passed during a special legislative session earlier this year, is effective as of today, Dec. 4. TLTA worked to expand SB 16 into a bill creating a new specific offense for seller impersonation fraud. In recent years, seller impersonation fraud has plagued the title industry and resulted in claims including full policy loses. TLTA hopes this new criminal statute will encourage prosecution for seller impersonation fraud and ultimately help stop this growing threat. 

Dozens of Other New Laws Go Into Effect in December and January
In addition to the new law referenced above, the following new laws will go into effect this month and next:

Review new laws that will become effective this month and next »

ICYMI: Special Runoff Elections Will Be Held Jan. 31

TLTA | Nov. 26, 2025

Gov. Abbott announced that runoff elections for Houston's Congressional District 18 and Tarrant County's Texas Senate District 9 will be held Jan. 31.

The special election in CD 18 will decide who fulfills the remainder of the late Congressman Sylvester Turner's unexpired term. Learn more here. 

The special election for Texas SD 9 will determine who fulfills the unexpired term of now-Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Learn more here.

If you live in either of these communities, please make your plan to vote in the runnoff election. If you have questions about the candidates in these races and their relationship with our industry or the real estate market, please contact TLTA Vice President of Government Affairs Aaron Day.  

FHFA Announces Conforming Loan Limit Values for 2026

FHFA | Nov. 25, 2025

U.S. Federal Housing (FHFA) announced the conforming loan limit values (CLLs) for mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will acquire in 2026.  In most of the United States, the 2026 CLL value for one-unit properties will be $832,750, an increase of $26,250 from 2025. 

For areas in which 115 percent of the local median home value exceeds the baseline conforming loan limit value, the applicable loan limit will be higher than the baseline loan limit. HERA establishes the high-cost area limit in those areas as a multiple of the area median home value, while setting the ceiling at 150 percent of the baseline limit.  Median home values generally increased in high-cost areas in 2025, which increased their CLL values.  The new ceiling loan limit for one-unit properties will be $1,249,125, which is 150 percent of $832,750.  

Learn more »