September 20, 2017
More Disaster Assistance Resources and Ways to Give Available
Resources for Those Affected
Below are some resources that may help those directly affected by the storm. Feel free to share them with your employees, friends or family. They are also available on the
TLTA Disaster Relief Resources web page.
- The Texas Association of Builders has compiled consumer information about selecting a builder or contractor, federal and state disaster recovery resources, Texas building guidelines and more.
- The Texas Mortgage Bankers Association has shared the Mortgage Bankers Association's Help for Homeowners and Renters Impacted by Hurricane Harvey flyer (an automated download). It reminds homeowners to contact their mortgage servicer and includes tips on filing a flood insurance claim, documenting damage and watching out for scams.
- The Independent Bankers Association of Texas has a Hurricane Harvey Resources web page with a link to their Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund and instructions on how to apply, business recovery loan information and more.
- The Texas Apartment Association – Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Resources web page includes links to housing, price gouging information, rules that can be applied to Sept. 1 rent payments, insurance claims tips, disaster and unemployment assistance links and more.
- You may be able to find available housing with Entrata, Yardi, MRI Software, Houston Association of Realtors Temporary Housing and/or the Harris County Housing and Community Resource Center.
Ways to Help Affected Members Needing Assistance
The
TLTA Disaster Relief Resources Page now lists links to several funds created to directly assist those in our Texas title insurance family. This is a unique and important opportunity to provide direct assistance and have a positive impact on the lives of those in our very own title community. Please consider offering your support to those in desperate need right now.
Cyber Crime News: Real Estate Industry Could Be Vulnerable to Equifax-Type Hack; Make Sure Your Service Providers Are Secure
While the Equifax digital security breach has caused uncertainty among the general population, it has also shed light once again on the possible ramifications of hacks in the commercial real estate industry if companies do not invest in cybersecurity tech.
Read "Equifax Hack: The Real Estate Industry Is Just as Vulnerable" (Forbes) »
In addition, the FTC has released an article called "Stick With Security," detailing how you can help ensure your service providers are taking steps to stay secure.
Read "Stick With Security: Make Sure Your Service Providers Implement Reasonable Security Measures" (FTC) »
GSE News: Mnuchin Claims Fannie, Freddie Reform Is a 2018 Issue
HousingWire | Sept. 15, 2017
During a Politico Policy Summit in Washington, U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said GSE reform would be an issue addressed in 2018.
During the summit, he explained moving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship will come after tax reform, and will be an issue brought up in 2018. He said the mortgage giants still have a lot of changes they need to make before being moved out of conservatorship. In the meantime, he expects the GSEs will continue to turn their profits over to the government.
Read More »
TLTA is scheduling more live webinars for summer 2017. Register now, or explore the On-Demand webinar library today!