Commentary

In the emotionally charged environment of default servicing, unscrupulous legal professionals continue to solicit work from distressed homeowners with promises of nothing more than delaying a lender’s recovery process regardless of the facts. In this industry, where time is so ...

Historically, Chapter 7 Trustees rarely seek authorization to sell over-encumbered real property of the estate free and clear of liens because such a sale is authorized only under very limited circumstances. Based upon the rarity of motions to sell over-encumbered property and the assumption that a Court would never grant such a motion, creditors have generally been complacent about monitoring bankruptcy cases for such motions.

As Webster's dictionary defines it, efficiency is the extent to which time, effort, or cost is well used for the intended task or purpose. Something we perhaps all strive for, but something of which we also can easily lose sight. We are deluged with the daily necessities of work: the email, phone calls, meetings, and other distractions that make our days fly by. So, when do we have a chance to pause and reflect on whether we are personally operating efficiently, or the time to review if our businesses are operating efficiently?

We can expect to see the U.S. housing market cool off as we move into 2014 for a number of reasons–some economic, some specific to the housing market itself. And the implications are significant for companies in the default services industry.

Almost everyone agrees that something needs to be done with the GSEs, and almost everyone recognizes that the “something” will be a complex undertaking, but we must be up to this task, we must be thoughtful about reform, avoid unintended consequences, and strike a middle ground between growing a private mortgage market and providing a government backstop.

Last night, in President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress, the President said the American people were “tired of stale political arguments.” I agree, Mr. President, we are tired. We are tired of the divisive language from our President. Instead of bringing America together and setting us forth on the path towards economic growth and prosperity, what I heard in his address was more of the same misguided, go-it-alone ideas we’ve heard before, as opposed to real job creation and economic growth.

Ever since the economy took a hit in 2008, downsizing has been a top priority for many homeowners and renters. The McMansion is out; low-maintenance living is in. You can see it in traditional listings as well as on the real estate auction block. With finances still in flux for most Americans, cutting back on monthly costs of maintaining a home or apartment is essential. Enter the micro apartment—the latest trend in economical living space.

After much anticipation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued its final rule for new integrated mortgage disclosures, combining the overlapping disclosures required by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). The new rule will certainly change the landscape of the settlement services and mortgage lending industries as we know them.

A lot has changed in past last five years. This industry has overcome some tough times, and so have the people who make it great. The new reality is one of adaptation and perseverance in the face of the unknowable ...

  Select Print Feature, originally appeared in the May, 2013 issue of DS News Magazine. Can servicers and their partners in the field work through the many obstacles that come with fast-tracking vacant foreclosures? Several jurisdictions are considering legislation or ...