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[ad_1] Wednesday’s decline seems to have dampened the effort of bulls to sustain the highs. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] As the appraisal industry struggles to meet demand, Voxtur has developed a solution to streamline the process. HousingWire recently spoke with Jim Albeertelli, CEO of Voxtur, about the company’s recent acquisition and launch of an automated workflow management platform for the global market. HousingWire: What can the industry at large do to support the work of appraisers right now?  Jim Albertelli: When it comes to appraisers, the industry often focuses on better management of the referral process. This is misguided. Appraisers don’t need better management of an outdated process. They need better data, more mobility, and automation to streamline their process. When supported by the right technology, appraisers can substantially reduce their turn times and improve customer service. This positively impacts not only the borrower and the lender, but also ancillary service providers. At Voxtur, we are focused on solving legacy industry issues with technology. For appraisers, we have developed an end-to-end, encrypted, AI-driven platform to streamline scheduling, manage payments, and facilitate direct, real-time communication between stakeholders. With these tools, appraisers can complete jobs in a fraction of the time and increase their capacity for new work. Lenders also benefit from shorter delivery timelines and better, more secure data. And with the option to white label the technology, lenders can control messaging, branding, and service delivery. Borrowers can also rest easier knowing that their appraisal was completed with the best data available and delivered with complete transparency throughout the process. This is a critical advancement in the industry as we’ve seen appraisal timelines continually increase. By connecting service providers, lenders, and consumers through a secure, streamlined, and intelligent interface, we can remove uncertainty and inefficiency from the appraisal process and create a new standard of excellence to benefit everyone.   HW: What role can data analytics play in alleviating these pain points?  JW: The key to transactional efficiency is validated data. To truly drive efficiency, data must not only be reliable, it must be comprehensive and scalable. At Voxtur, we are focused on developing and deploying applications that create transparency and instill consumer confidence. To that end, we have committed substantial resources to the normalization, aggregation, and validation of disparate data sources. From there, we apply targeted analytics to verify the integrity of the data. For example, we analyze more than 2,500 data points to validate property data against appraised value. This allows us to eliminate inconsistencies, and to identify and root out biases that may otherwise not be apparent. We also evaluate key metrics related to appraiser performance. This allows for a more objective analysis and better compliance, and often translates to a more efficient process with faster turn times, which allows buyers and sellers to transfer real property more cost effectively and with confidence. HW: What are some of the current challenges regarding property tax assessment?   JW: The challenges faced by property tax assessment are multi-faceted. First, property status must be determined in real-time in order to be accurate. Second, property tax assessors must be dynamic enough to consider housing value trends in their assessment methodologies. And third, the foundation of the property valuation methodology must be accurate. At Voxtur, we have developed technology aimed specifically at improving accuracy in property assessments. Our GeoViewPort satellite imagery, drive-by videography, and mobile assessment applications provide real-time property data. This allows assessors to start with an accurate snapshot of the current property condition. From there, the assessor can incorporate into its assessment methodology additional valuation data. Voxtur supports tax assessors by providing access to its comprehensive data store, which includes hundreds of thousands of valuation records. With better foundational accuracy, and a more robust methodology supported by additional data sources, assessors are able to generate the most accurate taxable value possible. By supporting tax assessors in this way, Voxtur is able to contribute to an assessment process that is fundamentally more fair to the consumer. HW: How is Voxtur positioned to help move the industry toward seamless real estate transactions?  JW: At its core, Voxtur is an agile, AI-enabled database that is built on a comprehensive foundation of normalized, validated data. While we continue to expand the depth and breadth of our data store and to develop new technology to benefit a dynamic industry, we remain committed to supporting our clients with SaaS offerings that eliminate inefficiencies in the lending process. And as we continue to aggregate data and build technology to replace the outdated processes that remain in place throughout the lending lifecycle, our ultimate goal remains: to provide transparency to the consumer so that they can have confidence in the fact that they know the true value of their most important asset, their home.   The appriasl process has been under the microscope recently due to the current appraisal gab and high volume. Voxtur’s applications create transparency so appraisers can do their job more effectively with faster turn times. The post How to reduce appraisal turn times and improve the borrower experience appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] UK house-buying frenzy builds ahead of tax cut deadline – RICS [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The pandemic actually enhanced our operational efficiencies and in the process we are realigning the management heads of our global operations spread across more than 70 countries. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] After a government watchdog agency found a reorganization of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gutted its fair lending office and halted the reporting of enforcement actions, at least two officials have left the agency. The Government Accountability Office found that a 2018 reorganization of the Bureau’s fair lending practices shifted its fair lending enforcement from specialists to generalists at the enforcement office. The CFPB distributed nearly three quarters of its fair lending staff to other divisions. Just weeks after the Bureau received the report, but before it was made public, the CFPB announced the departure of Bryan Schneider, who headed up the supervision, enforcement and fair lending office. Schneider was appointed by the Trump administration in 2019. Before that, he was secretary of the Illinois state finance agency. He previously spent nearly 15 years at the Walgreen Company, where he worked in healthcare compliance regulation and lobbying. Schneider did not return requests to comment. This content is exclusively for HW+ members. Start an HW+ Membership now for less than $1 a day. Your HW+ Membership includes: Unlimited access to HW+ articles and analysis Exclusive access to the HW+ Slack community and virtual events HousingWire Magazine delivered to your home or office Become a member today Already a member? log in The post Watchdog tells CFPB to get its fair lending house in order appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Millions of Canadians travel abroad with their domestic credit cards and don’t realize they’re racking up foreign transaction fees (often referred to as “forex” fees) that can amount to 2.5% on top every purchase. The good news is, there are a few credit cards out there that offer either zero foreign transaction fees or a return of the fees as cash back. If you like to vacation in other countries or your work frequently takes you abroad, it’s worth considering a no-foreign-transaction-fees card that travels with you.  Show more cards The best no-foreign-transaction-fees credit cards in Canada 2021 Brim Financial Mastercards Home Trust Preferred Visa Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Scotiabank Gold American Express HSBC World Elite Mastercard Meridian Visa Infinite Travel Rewards Card Rogers World Elite Mastercard Rogers Platinum Mastercard Koho Premium Visa What are foreign transaction fees and what do they mean for you? More on the best credits cards — View a complete list of top cards by category Brim Financial Mastercards* Brim Financial has three Mastercard options to choose from, none of which charge foreign transaction fees. The no-fee, entry-level Brim Card offers 1 point per $1 spent, plus a Boingo membership with free global Wi-Fi—a great perk if you’re a frequent business traveller. Featuring a unique digital interface in which you simply swipe on the posted purchase to redeem your points, rewards are as easily earned as they are redeemed. Specifically, the mid-range World Mastercard earns 1.5 points per $1 spent, while the World Elite offering provides 2 points per $1 spent (both up to $25,000 in purchases). The only feature that comes up short is the cards’ out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance, which pales compared to most other travel credit cards. Annual fee: $0, $99 and $199, respectively, for entry Brim, Brim World and Brim World Elite Mastercard credit cards Foreign transaction handling: No fees charged Rewards earn rate: 1 point per $1 for the Brim card; 1.5 points per $1 for the Brim World; 2 points per $1 for World Elite, up to $25,000 in purchases Additional rewards: Boingo membership with global Wi-Fi access in airports, lounges, etc.; Lounge Key for the World and World Elite; common carrier accident insurance; mobile device insurance; extended warranty and purchase protection Income requirement: $15,000 for Brim card; $60,00 (personal) or $100, 000 (household) for Brim World; $80,000 (personal) or $100, 000 (household) for Brim World Elite Get more details about Brim Mastercard* Home Trust Preferred Visa* Home Trust offers one of the only credit cards that has no foreign transaction fees whatsoever. It’s a no-annual-fee card, plus you get a simple 1% cash back with no limits on how much you earn. Previously, there were no restrictions on where you can earn, but now you only receive cash back on domestic purchases. However, compared to other cards, the simplicity of Home Trust Preferred Visa is attractive. As there are no annual fees, the card is pretty lean on extra coverage, but cardholders do receive roadside assistance at no additional charge. (Note: This card is not available to residents of Quebec.) Annual fee: $0  Welcome bonus: None Foreign transaction handling: No fees charged Rewards earn rate: 1% cash back on all Canadian purchases, with no limit on how much you can earn Additional rewards: Collision and loss insurance coverage on auto rentals Income requirement: $15,000 Get more details about the Home Trust Preferred Visa* Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* One of the first cards from a major bank to boast no foreign transaction fees, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is great for those looking for a travel card with a few more perks. While users will pay $139 a year for the card, they’ll receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership with six free airport lounge visits per year, plus a bonus of 30,000 Scotia Rewards Points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of having the card. Combining the simplicity of a no-foreign-transaction-fees card and a flexible Scotia Rewards program that you can redeem for flights (without blackout dates), hotels and car rentals, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite is a great rewards card for travel as well as everyday purchases here at home. Annual fee: $139 Welcome bonus: Earn up to 30,000 Scotia Rewards points by making a minimum $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months Foreign transaction handling: No fees charged Rewards earn rate: 2 Scotia Rewards Points per $1 on travel, groceries, restaurants and entertainment; 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases Additional rewards: Travel insurance benefits; complimentary Priority Pass membership with six airport lounge visits per year; earn 10,000 bonus points if you spend $40,000 in everyday purchases in a year  Income requirement: At least $60,000 per individual or $100,000 as a household Get more details about the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Scotiabank Gold American Express* The Scotiabank Gold American Express is a very competitive option, especially if you’re a snowbird who travels frequently to the U.S. Its points accumulation structure is similar to that of the American Express Cobalt Card, with 5 points per $1 earned on dining, groceries and entertainment purchases in Canada. Plus, of course, it comes with no foreign transaction fees. Redemptions can be made on travel at 1 point per $0.01—or 1%. At a $120 annual fee, the card offers robust traveller and purchase protection, and you can earn up to 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months )—a $250 value. Annual fee: $120 Welcome bonus: Earn up to 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months Foreign transaction handling: No fees charged Rewards earn rate: 5 points per $1 spent on dining, groceries and entertainment-related purchases in Canada; 3 points per $1 spent on gas, daily transit (including buses, rideshare services and taxis) and select streaming services in Canada; 1 point per $1 spent on everything else (including all foreign purchases) Income requirement: At least $12,000 per individual Get more details about the Scotiabank Gold American Express* HSBC World Elite Mastercard HSBC’s