The USDA published a final rule adopting changes to the Rural Housing Services guaranteed and direct single family loan programs.

The USDA will begin to assess and collect a one-time $25 technology fee from lenders on each closed loan in the Section 502 guarantee loan program.

Comments on the North Dakota's request for a waiver of appraiser credentialing requirements must be received by the ASC on or before July 1, 2019.

The ordering of an appraisal related to the VA Home Loan program must have the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) be in "Active or Pending" status.

FHA released proposed revisions to the FHA loan-level and annual lender certifications and Defect Taxonomy.

HUD released guidance on documentation requirements for government entities that provide down payment assistance to FHA borrowers.

FHA announced changes to the Technology Open to Approved Lenders Scorecard for mortgages with case numbers assigned on or after March 18, 2019.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) officially eliminated the FHA Inspector Roster.

NAR suggested the federal banking agencies set the appraisal threshold level to 50 percent of the GSE conforming loan limits.

NAR asked HUD's Secretary to release the final FHA condominium rules.

USDA has temporarily set-up a team dedicated solely to processing rural development loans.

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) released an interim final rule addressing changes to VA guaranteed or insured cash-out home refinance loans.

FHA released its 2019 Loan Limits, effective January 1, 2019. FHA will also increase its "floor" to $314,827 from $294,515.

NAR leads support for the confirmation of HUD appointees Seth D. Appleton and Michael Bright.

Congress passed legislation to extend the definition of "rural" for the purposes of rural housing programs, through the 2030 census.

NAR is supporting and joining efforts initiated by NAREB and the Urban Institute to address the low rate of African American Homeownership.

NAR believes an increase to $500,000 from $250,000 would be an appropriate threshold for requiring an appraisal in commercial transactions.

The Appraisal Foundation released a document examining best practices for requests to appraisers for a reconsideration of a completed appraisal.

The proposed rule would increase the current threshold for residential real estate transactions requiring an appraisal to $400,000.