united states

John F. Kennedy has been gone nearly 60 years, and Jackie Kennedy (Onassis) nearly 30, but the couple still resonates with people. The first home that they owned as a married couple is for sale in Washington DC. If you’re ever in a guessing game about the most expensive places to live in the United States, stick with the safe bets: New York and anything California. Seems the press has latched on to declining home sales, but declining due to high prices, lack of inventory, or lack of buyer’s interest? Other stories indicated increasing home sales, but in certain price ranges, more builder inventory, or continued Millennial first-time home buyer interest? Take your pick. Meanwhile, lenders and originators have their continued regulatory speedbumps. Orrick reports that, “The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), on behalf of the NMLS Policy Committee, issued a request for public comments on proposed uniform state licensing standards for mortgage companies. The Proposal: Mortgage Business-Specific Requirements would create a national standard for mortgage industry licensing to help improve uniformity within the state system and streamline the licensing process for mortgagees seeking licensure in multiple states.” (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week it’s sponsored by MGIC. Since 1957, MGIC has insured more than 13.5 million mortgage loans with innovative products, tools and strategies that help customers solve problems and fuel growth. Explore tools and solutions to boost your business here. Listen to an interview with Townstone Financial’s Barry Sturner and Garris Horn LLP’s Richard Horn on the CFPB’s recent judicial failures.)