July 17, 2025
In This Issue:
- Texas Legislature's Special Session Starts This Monday. Deed Fraud, Property Tax Reduction on the Special Session Call
- Fannie Mae Updates Title and Closing Requirements for Multifamily Mortgages
- REGISTER NOW: Live Webinar Sept. 15 on FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Requirements To Be Implemented Dec. 1. ICYMI - TLTA Submits Letter to FinCEN re: Rule and Form.
Texas Legislature's Special Session Starts This Monday. Deed Fraud, Property Tax Reduction on the Special Session Call
TLTA | July 17, 2025
Following the recently completed regular legislative session, Gov. Abbott is calling lawmakers back for a special session that begins this Monday, July 21. Deed Fraud, property tax reduction, and 16 other issues are on the formal call issued by Gov. Abbott. During a special session, legislators can only pass bills related to issues on the governor's special session proclamation. Gov. Abbott has the authority to expand the call at any time.
Among the bills on the special session agenda is
SB 648, a deed fraud bill supported by the county clerks association and passed by lawmakers during the 89th Regular Session. TLTA's advocacy team worked with legislators and the clerks to improve this bill prior to passage, and we are ready to continue that work during the special session.
Additionally, we are working with the governor’s office and Sen. West to seek expansion of the call and bills to include a special criminal statute on seller impersonation and deed fraud.
Read special session proclamation »
Read Gov. Abbott's press release »
Fannie Mae Updates Title and Closing Requirements for Multifamily Mortgages
NYLTA | May 2025
Fannie Mae issued an update to its Multifamily Selling and Servicing Guide that modified title and closing requirements for multifamily mortgages.
The changes went into effect for loan applications received on or after May 8.
The major change impacting title agents is that Fannie Mae now requires title insurance underwriters to perform all funding functions—except where limited by law. This would be in jurisdictions where holding of escrows or funding loan proceeds is considered the practice of law. In these instances, Fannie Mae says a title agent may perform the funding functions as long as it is reviewed and approved by an underwriter.
These changes are similar to escrow and settlement function requirements Freddie Mac announced last year.
Read more »
REGISTER NOW: Live Webinar Sept. 15 on FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Requirements To Be Implemented Dec. 1. ICYMI - TLTA Submits Letter to FinCEN re: Rule and Form.
TLTA | July 17, 2025
FinCEN’s new residential real estate reporting rule takes effect Dec. 1., and this extended, two-hour compliance training will help you get ahead of it. Join us Sept. 15 as we revisit the foundational elements of the rule, then take a deeper dive into how these requirements will affect your day-to-day work. You’ll walk through real-life contract scenarios, learn how to complete the new Residential Real Estate Report, and explore anticipated pain points that seasoned professionals are already identifying—before the rule even goes live.
Live Webinar: FinCEN’s New Reporting Rule: Practical Tools and Strategies for Compliance »
September 15, 2025
10 a.m.–12 p.m. CT
Presented by Leslie S. Johnson, CTIP, WFG National Title Insurance Company, and Roland Love, CTIP, Independence Title
This session goes beyond a high-level overview. You’ll gain practical strategies, compliance tools, and actionable insights designed to help your team stay prepared, avoid delays, and keep closings on track.
Learn more and register now »
ICYMI: TLTA Submits Letter to FinCEN re: Rule and Form
Last week, TLTA submitted to FinCEN a
comment letter as part of the rule making process expressing our continued concerns with their new Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule and Form effective Dec. 1. The rule is aimed at detecting money laundering in certain residential cash transactions and greatly expands the current reporting requirements. It will have a time-consuming and costly compliance requirement for title agents
Read TLTA's letter to FinCEN »
Learn more about the new reporting rule scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1 »