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MERS is a Beneficiary with the Power to Assign
In pdf Ferguson v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (128 KB), borrowers sued MERS, their servicer and the trustee seeking an injunction and declaratory relief preventing the trustee from foreclosing. They alleged that Bank of New York Mellon violated the false lien statute by falsely asserting a right to foreclose. The district court granted MERS and Bank of New York Mellon’s motion to dismiss. On appeal, the borrowers argued that the MERS assignment was void because Texas law did not permit MERS to act as beneficiary of a Deed of Trust.
Effort to Protect 600 Acres a Success: Meccawe Club Conserves Forest for Future Generations
A large tract of forestland in the towns of Reading and Bridgewater was permanently conserved by the Meccawe Club, the Vermont Land Trust announced today. The Meccawe Club is a 100-year-old private trout fishing club. Over the years it had acquired lands to protect Meccawe Pond and provide for the club’s future
September Market Report
Memphis-area home sales for September decreased 9.5 percent from a year ago, with 1,424 total sales recorded in the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® MAARdata property records database. Sales were down 4 percent from August, when there were 1,483 total sales. Average sales price from September-to-September was down 0.7 percent, at $159,420. Inventory decreased 0.5 percent, with 6,404 units listed for sale. Monthly sales volume YTD increased 7.0 percent to $1.98 billion
New York Fed Details Regional Household Debt and Credit
Overall consumer distress rates in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are lower than those in the nation, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Regional Household Debt and Credit Snapshots. The 27 different Snapshots include data about mortgages, student loans, credit cards, auto loans and delinquencies for New York City (including a separate view of each of its boroughs), as well as various metro areas in New York State, northern New Jersey and western Connecticut that make up the Federal Reserve’s Second District.
Capital Impact Partners Launches Age Strong Investment Initiative with AARP Foundation and Calvert Foundation
Capital Impact Partners today announced the launch of Age Strong™, an innovative social investment initiative that will lend a total of $70 million to enterprises that provide critical services and programs for struggling adults who are 50-plus. This initiative, in partnership with AARP Foundation and Calvert Foundation, aims to support enterprises and projects that create affordable homes, increase access to healthy foods, improve financial security, and offer more community-oriented models of care
Appraisal Institute, Land Trust Alliance Agree to Promote Appraisals for Conservation Easements
The Appraisal Institute and the Land Trust Alliance today announced they will enhance cooperative efforts to promote the quality of appraisals prepared for conservation easements.
MBA Welcomes 24 New Members
Today, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced that in September it welcomed 24 new regular members to its ranks, which currently numbers more than 2,200 member companies.
South Carolina REALTORS® offer financial help to flood victims through REALTORS® Relief Foundation
The South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR), in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® is offering assistance to South Carolina’s flood victims through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. The foundation is providing mortgage or rent relief up to $1,000 to those who qualify
Mayor Lee Celebrates Milestone in U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Partnership to...
HUD Partnership to Transform City’s Public Housing for 8,000 Low-Income San Franciscans & Provide National Model to Preserve & Rebuild Public Housing in U.S. Cities & Protect Nation’s Most Vulnerable. Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Board of Supervisors President London Breed
Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage applications decreased 27.6 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 9, 2015.
ALTA Launches Homebuyer Outreach Program to Bolster Consumer Education Efforts
The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance and real estate settlement services industries, launched a new Homebuyer Outreach Program today, designed to increase consumer understanding of the benefits of title insurance.
House Energy Committee Needs To Take The Energy Efficiency Path Back To Bi-Partisanship
The Alliance to Save Energy opposes House passage of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, as reported today by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a largely partisan vote of 32 - 20. While there are provisions included in the bill that would advance energy efficiency to the benefit of consumers and businesses across the country, these represent small gains when considered alongside other provisions of the package that would significantly
Consumers Expect Lower Growth in Earnings and Household Spending
Consumer expectations in the September 2015 Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) show relatively stable median consumer inflation expectations at both the short and long term horizon. Inflation expectations, as well as median one-year ahead expected growth in the costs of several commodities (food, housing, medical, college education) are all at or near their lowest levels since the start of the survey in June 2013
Applications for New Home Purchases Increased in September
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for September 2015 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 3 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns
Habitat for Humanity International appoints Tjada D’Oyen McKenna as chief operating officer
Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to welcome Tjada D’Oyen McKenna as the global housing ministry’s chief oper ating officer. McKenna will begin her new role with the organization Nov. 2
Can Drive Growth While Protecting Current Residents
With Detroit rebounding from bankruptcy and beginning to see rapid redevelopment, some fear the revitalization will end up pushing out low-income and minority residents. But a new report from the Detroit Corridor Initiative (DCI), a cross-sector partnership led by Capital Impact Partners, lays out key elements for how the city can successfully implement an inclusive growth strategy that grows the economy while protecting current and future residents.
AARP Launches National Caregiving Awareness Campaign: Show Kindness to 40 Million Caregivers During National...
Campaign will include a new AARP caregiving book, Random Acts of Kindness contest, virtual caregiving fair, and a special AARP The Magazine report featuring an intimate look into “24 hours in the life of caregivers”
Proposed Overtime Plan Will Hurt Workers, Small Businesses and Home Buyers
A U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) overtime proposal that would more than double the minimum salary threshold for white collar exemptions will hurt workers, small businesses, the residential construction sector and housing affordability, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today
NAHB Chief Economist Awarded with Certified Business Economist Designation by National Association for Business...
All CBE candidates must have completed a four-year degree or equivalent prior to enrolling, must have two years of work experience in applied business economics or a related field and must pass a comprehensive practical examination. Candidates can choose a path of self-study for the qualifying exam or can attend courses developed by NABE to prepare.
Expanded Joint-Employer Definition Will Harm Housing Affordability, Small Businesses
A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to expand its joint employer standard will hurt housing affordability and small businesses, a prominent Texas home builder told Congress today












