Elina Tarkazikis is a reporter for National Mortgage News. She is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she was the founding editor in chief of the school's chapter of HerCampus.com and a staff writer for its student-run publication, The Ramapo News. She has previously worked for The County Seat in Hackensack and Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, iHeartMedia's nationally syndicated radio program. Elina is also a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey, adores pets and speaks three languages.
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Conforming loan limits for mortgages bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will increase for the second consecutive year in response to the rapid rise in home prices, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said.
November 28 -
The CFPB's practice of "regulation by enforcement" forces mortgage companies to develop compliance standards based on the mistakes of their peers, rather than clear guidance from the enforcement agency, said David Motley, the new chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association.
October 23 -
Efforts to persuade regulators to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use alternative credit scores would stifle competition between the credit bureaus and FICO and do little to expand access to credit, according to industry analyst Chris Whalen.
September 18 -
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act was created after 9/11 to serve as a crucial federal backstop for commercial real estate insurers, but an analysis of alternatives to fund the program reveals the continued challenges of measuring and predicting terror risk.
September 11 -
With Hurricane Harvey rapidly making its way toward the Texas coast, lenders and servicers have activated business continuity plans to accommodate pending transactions and provide options and support to existing borrowers affected by the storm.
August 25 -
Despite rising home prices and a market where many older homeowners are loath to sell, home equity line of credit lending remains muted in all but one corner of the industry: credit unions.
August 14 -
FHA loans made by millennial home buyers have been steadily decreasing the past four months, indicating they may be able to afford more at the moment.
August 10 -
Credit union mortgage lending may be slowing, even as more millennials -- about 33% of whom purchased their first home out of the desire to have a better space or yard for a dog -- enter the market.
July 27