A provision in the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, which took effect in July, is requiring lenders to provide consumers with free credit score, which will help provide new insights into why they may have been rejected for a loan or did not qualify for the best lowest rate. While borrowers can access their credit scores from the credit bureaus, the credit scores that a lender uses isn't always the same one that the credit bureau provides you. According to a report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, some credit bureaus sell consumers “educational” scores that aren't the same ones used by lenders or these bureaus may base the score on a different model than the one lenders use. Now, borrowers for the first time will get a more accurate view of what credit score lenders are using to base their mortgage on. Under the new provision, lenders will be required to provide potential borrowers with a free credit score whenever the reject an application for a loan. Lenders must p...

According to the State of Florida Division of Agent and Agency Services the following was an actual case. (Note: All administrative investigations are subject to referral to the Division of Insurance for criminal investigation.) A Case: An Investigation of a title insurance agent alleged that she failed to deposit fiduciary funds in a separate escrow approved by the Department, failed to disburse funds in accordance with a HUD-1 Settlement Statement, and misappropriated fiduciary funds collected in the normal course of business. Disposition: Licensed revoked and permanently barred from engaging in the insurance business.

Here's another great article brought to you courtesy of Old Republic Title Insurance: An improved employment forecast for the remainder of the year will help improve the housing picture as well, according to Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac. Nothaft said he anticipates an unemployment rate of 8.6 percent by the end of the year, down from more than nine percent. Mortgage rates will likely remain between 4.5percent and five percent. The economist noted that more financing is becoming available to the rental housing construction sector and that vacancy rates are falling and rents rising, all harbingers of a housing turnaround.