With flood insurance premiums commanding ever-higher prices, a U.S. senator recently described a hardship faced by a constituent who endured challenges with higher flood insurance costs while keeping a reverse mortgage in good standing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) implemented a new flood insurance pricing methodology in late 2021 called “Risk Rating 2.0,” which was designed to...

Building on momentum seen in April, reverse mortgage volume and securities issuance each posted gains in May, with a caveat in place about the runway ahead from case number assignments in April. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) endorsements increased by 16.9% to 2,460, while HECM case numbers remained relatively flat compared to April, which could result in a scenario that interrupts a recent...

NAF Cash, a subsidiary of multichannel mortgage lender New American Funding (NAF), announced on Tuesday the availability of a tool called NAF Cash Maps that aims to offer data on trends related to all-cash home purchases. “The data is derived from information collected by real estate data provider MMI, MLS data, and public records, enhanced with NAF Cash data engineers’ detailed work and...

More executive changes are afoot at franchise real estate brokerage RE/MAX. Serene Smith, the chief of staff and chief operating officer at RE/MAX Holdings, has transitioned to a non-executive, part-time role at the brokerage. RE/MAX will no longer have a principal operating officer and Smith’s responsibilities will be absorbed by other executives, the company disclosed Friday in a filing with the...

Seller impersonation fraud has reportedly risen significantly over the years, and one such fraudster attempted to cash in by facilitating a fraudulent sale of Graceland, the famous Memphis, Tennessee, home owned by the late Elvis Presley. But while a fraud attempt targeting such a famous structure and family would easily make national news, the vast majority of title theft and mortgage fraud schemes do...

We all know Whoopi Goldberg as an iconic actress with an impressive roster of nostalgic films. The 68-year-old EGOT winner has crossed over from the big to the small screen effortlessly, bringing her magnetic personality to daytime television.  Being a host on The View made her a household name, but few people know of her achievements beyond her actress/talk show persona. On top of her long-spanning...

Minutes from Boston, in the coveted Country Club section of Brookline, Massachusetts, a remarkable architectural gem has resurfaced on the market with a hefty price tag. The sprawling Grand Georgian Revival Estate set at 333 Lee Street, priced at a whopping $24.5 million, is currently the second most expensive home for sale in the Boston suburb — surpassed only by a double-lot, Warren St. mansion set...

From framed artwork to potpourri, these creative uses for dried flowers will lend a beautiful—and fragrant—element to your home. Carson Downing Dried floral arrangements are a popular home decor accent because they allow you to display your favorite blooms, but with a longer lifespan than a fresh bouquet. Mastering the art of drying flowers is fairly simple, but what should you do with all...

Cucumbers need a trellis if you'd like to have straighter cukes, healthier plants, and easier harvests. Carson Downing You don’t need a trellis to grow cucumbers, but if you want to maximize your gardening space and keep your cucumbers off the soil, grow your cucumber plant on a trellis. Whether you like picklers, slicers, or burpless types of cucumbers, vining varieties are available that will...

Rid your appliances of water stains and fingerprints with our expert tips for cleaning stainless steel. How to Clean Stainless Steel Make the stainless steel appliances in your kitchen sparkle with these tips for cleaning and eliminating smudges and fingerprints. Stainless steel is a sleek modern finish that looks great with nearly any kitchen color scheme. But fingerprints, smudges, spills, and...