September 9, 2015
Learn the Latest About TREC Forms Changes
Texas Association of Realtors | August 18, 2015
At its recent meeting, the Texas Real Estate Commission took two actions to address legislative requirements that will go into effect September 1.
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HUD Proposes New Rules for FHA Loans
HousingWire | Sept. 1, 2015
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Tuesday a series of proposed changes to the rules for lenders that remit loans to the Federal Housing Administration.
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Bank's Texas Economic Index Continues Slide
MySA | August 27, 2015
Comerica Bank’s Texas Economic Activity fell in June for the eighth consecutive month as lower oil prices continued to slow the statewide economy. The bank said the index fell 0.6 percentage points to 96. The reading was 23 points, or 32 percent, above its cyclical low of 72.9, reached in 2009.
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Mortgage Industry to CFPB: Stop Normalizing Bad Data
HousingWire | Sept. 2, 2015
The mortgage finance industry is still not happy with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its consumer complaint narrative database, which publishes unvetted and unverified anonymous complaints against specific companies.
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CFPB Gives Alternative to Customer Service Frustrations
TribLive | Sept. 3, 2015
The CFPB started taking complaints about financial products as soon as it opened in July 2011. Four years later, submissions to the agency are surging and consumers are finding it's a good way to get companies' attention. A record 26,704 complaints were registered in July, up 15 percent from the previous month and up 20 percent from a year ago. Debt collectors inspire the most complaints, followed by problems with credit reports and mortgages.
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Texas Realtors Releases 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report
September 1, 2015
The Texas Association of Realtors has released their International Homebuyers Report for April 2014 through March 2015. According to the report, "Texas home sales purchased by international homebuyers contributed $8.32 billion to the Texas economy".
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Share Your Hurricane Rita Stories
The tenth anniversary of Hurricane Rita is approaching. Did the storm affect you, your business or your clients? How did you help them? We’d like to spotlight our members’ tales in the September Downdate, so write to Sarah Pratt at
[email protected] and share your story!
Policing the Data: Ensuring the Safety of NPI
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. CDT
Every day we hear about a new data security breach. Title insurance companies are not immune to the threat. Presenter Scott Florez will familiarize Texas title agents with the various types of non-public personal information contained in the Guaranty File and how to protect it both physically and electronically. In this webinar, you'll learn about:
The definition of NPI (Non-Public Personal Information)
Where it's found in a title company
Ways to secure NPI physically and electronically
Click here to register.
The Texas Transfer on Death Deed
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. CDT
On September 1, 2015, Texas joined a growing number of states that allow owners of real estate to transfer property to their heirs outside the probate process using a Transfer on Death Deed. The deed works like a beneficiary designation on a bank account or an insurance policy. It allows you to name a primary and contingent beneficiary who will inherit your real property after you die. You sign and record the deed now, but it doesn't take effect until your death. You can revoke the deed or sell the property at any time; the beneficiary you name on the deed has no rights in the property until your death.
Join Presenter Lisa Beville as she discusses:
The statutory requirements for creating (drafting) a valid Transfer on Death Deed “TODD”
The process for revoking a TODD
Possible examination issues when a TODD is discovered in the chain of title
Click here to register.
Catchy Tax Issues
Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. CDT
This webinar will explore how Texas title policies cover and limit coverage of property tax issues, many of which are unique to Texas. We will review the rules and procedures of TDI Rule P-20, including:
How to handle “current-year” property taxes
Insuring taxes “not yet due and payable”
Rollback tax liability
Review some “special” property tax issues
Recent laws passed related to property taxation in Texas
Presenter Charles Craig will give attendees a better understanding of the Texas property taxation system, title coverage and limitations under TDI Rule P-20, as well as how to apply title underwriting principles to Texas property tax issues, both general and special.
This webinar and materials are useful in preparing for the TLTA Certification exam, as well as for generally increasing your knowledge in the area of Ad Valorem Taxes.
Click here to register.
Click here to see all of our webinar offerings.