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[ad_1] This week’s HW+ spotlight features Mark Jones, co-founder and CEO at Amerifirst Home Mortgage. Jones was also recently installed as vice chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association for the 2022 membership year. Launching the company as an independent community lender in 1983, Jones has grown Amerifirst Home Mortgage to more than 80 full-service locations and 900 personnel nationwide. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the MBA and currently serves as chair of MBA’s Audit and Finance Committee. Below, Jones answers questions about the industry: HousingWire: To start off, what is your current favorite HW+ article? Mark Jones: My favorite HW+ article was this year’s edition of Rising Stars. My son Matt is featured in it for his work on Capitol Hill, and I’m so proud to see him carving his own niche in the housing world. Proud father moment! HousingWire: What is the biggest learning opportunity you’ve ever had? Mark Jones: The 2008 financial crisis. In the lead up to the crash, we could tell that something wasn’t quite right. As such, we were one of the few lenders in the country that refused to offer subprime loans. At the time, that decision cost us loan officers left and right as they departed for firms that would let them originate anything they wanted. It was rough. In the end, however, after the crash happened and the dust settled, we were one of the only shops left standing. That’s when we made our separating move, picked up the pieces from companies that had collapsed, and began our ascent toward where we’re at today, with 1,000 employees operating in twenty states.  The learning from that era: when you are committed to doing business the right way, doing right by the consumer, and following a strong ethical compass, you will survive through the market cycle and succeed in this business. Our company has been through six major market cycles now, and that remains true to this day.  HousingWire: What do you think will be the big themes for the housing market in 2022? Mark Jones: In the mortgage market, margin compression will be the story of the year. An industry that is now built to originate $5 trillion will be chasing after only $3 trillion. As the economy recovers from the pandemic, interest rates are marching north, and refinance volume is going to dry up. All of this is going to mean a far more competitive environment and added stress, especially on firms that are focused on refinance business that only know how to compete on interest rate and/or don’t have adequate liquidity and reserves.  The other theme is housing affordability. In most markets in America today, homebuilders can’t profitably construct starter homes that are affordable for most first-time homebuyers. Fortunately, we are seeing a newfound willingness by the Biden Administration to lean in aggressively on this issue and provide some much-needed help.  HousingWire: If you could change or implement one piece of housing regulation, what would it be and why? Mark Jones: FHA needs to slash its Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) and end life-of-loan insurance coverage. This is a huge tool the federal government can use to stimulate access to homeownership in underserved communities, and as we speak, FHA is priced way out of the market while sitting on top of capital reserves that vastly exceed what is required by statute and even what most banks would be required to hold.  To become an HW+ member, click here. For more information on HW+ benefits, click here. The post HW+ Member Spotlight: Mark Jones appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Pet insurance is one of the fastest-growing types of insurance in America. Both the policy types and the companies that offer them have been expanding in recent years, enabling more pet owners to get comprehensive, cost-effective coverage. Not only does pet insurance help you cover the cost of increasingly expensive medical treatment for your pet, but it can also help you avoid the difficult choice of forgoing life saving treatment for your pet due to high cost. What’s more, flexible policy options make it easier to get the coverage you need at a premium you can afford. What is Pet Insurance? Pet insurance works much the same way as health insurance for people does. Generally speaking, it will cover most of the cost of most surgeries and treatments. But it will also require certain cost-sharing provisions, much like the human equivalent. You should be aware of the following terms: Deductible – this is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical costs before coverage begins. It’s typically a flat annual amount. Co-insurance – this is the percentage of eligible medical costs that will be covered by the insurance company. It’s commonly equal to 70%, 80%, 90%, or even 100% of eligible medical costs. Annual limit – this is the total dollar amount the insurance company will pay each year. It can be anywhere from as little as $5,000, to as much as $100,000. Wellness coverage – these are routine veterinary visits, and they are typically excluded from health insurance coverage. But some plans do provide wellness coverage as a policy add-on with an additional premium. Covered provider – pet insurance companies will generally cover treatment provided by any licensed veterinarian or licensed pet care facility in a state where they offer coverage. Comprehensive coverage – these policies include coverage for both accident and illness. But you can also choose an accident only policy, which will be less expensive. #ap81218-ww{padding-top:20px;position:relative;text-align:center;font-size:12px;font-family:Lato,Arial,sans-serif}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-indicator{text-align:right}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-indicator-wrapper{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap81218-ww-text{display:block}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap81218-ww-label{display:none}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-text{margin:auto 3px auto auto}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-label{margin-left:4px;margin-right:3px}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-icon{margin:auto;padding:1px;display:inline-block;width:15px;cursor:pointer}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-icon img{vertical-align:middle;width:15px}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-text-bottom{margin:5px}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-text{display:none}#ap81218-ww #ap81218-ww-icon img{text-indent:-9999px;color:transparent} Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad #ap81218-w-map{max-width:600px;margin:20px auto;text-align:center;font-family:”Lato”, Arial, Roboto, sans-serif}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-title{color:#212529;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;line-height:27px}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-subtitle{color:#9b9b9b;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:24px}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-disclosure{margin-top:10px;font-size:12px;color:#9b9b9b}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map{max-width:98%;width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:65%;margin-bottom:20px;position:relative}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg path{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg path:hover{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9;cursor:pointer}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g rect{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g text{fill:#000;text-anchor:middle;font:10px Arial;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state{display:none}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state text{fill:#fff;font:19px Arial;font-weight:bold}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g:hover{cursor:pointer}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g:hover rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g:hover text{fill:#fff}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-map svg g:hover .ap00646-w-map-state{display:initial}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-btn{padding:9px 41px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;font-size:16px;line-height:1.25;text-decoration:none;background-color:#1261c9;border-radius:2px}#ap81218-w-map #ap81218-w-map-btn:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#508fc9} Give your pet the care they deserve! Pet Insurance covers your pet from head to paw—for a lifetime. Select your state to get started. HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas Get a Free Quote How Does Pet Insurance Work? Historically, pet insurance companies provided reimbursement type coverage. That means you would first pay the veterinarian, then apply for direct reimbursement from the company. However, an increasing number of companies are now making direct payment to licensed veterinarians if the claim is filed immediately and the vet is willing to wait for direct reimbursement. The cost of the coverage will depend on the deductible, coinsurance, and annual policy limits you choose. For example, a policy with a $250 deductible, 70%, coinsurance, and a $25,000 annual limit will have a lower premium than one with a $100 deductible, 90%, coinsurance, and $40,000 annual limit. As we’ll explain below, the premium will also be determined by a number of factors specific to your pet and geographic location. Once you have a policy in place, benefits will be payable to any listed treatments or procedures provided by any licensed veterinarian or pet care facility in your state of residence. However, you should be aware that while some companies provide coverage in all 50 states, there are some that don’t operate in all states. In most cases, you’ll need to submit a claim when services are provided by the veterinarian. There’s typically a limit on time filing, which may be anywhere from 60 days to 90 days after treatment is provided. If you fail to file the claim within this timeframe, the claim will likely be rejected. What Does Pet Insurance Cover? Much like any other type of insurance policy, pet insurance will cover any treatment or procedure specifically listed in the policy. Typical treatments and procedures covered include: Common illnesses, like vomiting, diarrhea and ear infections. Serious illnesses, including cancer and heart disease. Accidents and injuries, resulting from collisions with cars and other events. Hereditary conditions. Lab work, including blood and urine tests. Surgical procedures and hospitalization. Prescriptions, if specifically listed in the policy. You should also be aware that pet insurance coverage is limited to dogs and cats, and is not available for less common pets, like birds, rabbits, reptiles, snakes, and other pets. Also, policies cover only the pets name in the plan. If you have more than one pet, you’ll need to include each in the policy. What Pet Insurance Covers Pre-existing Conditions? This is a highly relevant question, because most pet insurance companies don’t provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is any health condition that is known to exist at the time an application for coverage is made. However, there are a very small number of companies that will cover pre-existing conditions. Even those have very specific definitions for the types of pre-existing conditions that will be included. For example, Pumpkin will cover conditions that are determined to be curable (as in, not terminal), and your pet has been symptom-free for at least 180 days. If they occur after that timeframe, the company will provide coverage. (See our more comprehensive description of coverage by Pumpkin below.) What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover? Pet Insurance by Nationwide is a good example, because it’s one of the few major insurance companies to provide pet insurance coverage. They provide plans for both dogs and cats. Coverage

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[ad_1] New data show Fed's inflation story still unresolved [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The Department of Expenditure (DoE), Ministry of Finance, was nominated to issue the guidelines after soliciting and detailed consideration of the comments of ministries/ departments. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1]  JPMorgan Chase recently donated $3 million to the Appraiser Diversity Initiative, putting its financial support behind a growing movement to bring more diversity to the residential appraisal field. The initiative, which is part of a collaboration between the Appraisal Institute, National Urban League, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is intended to attract diverse new entrants into the residential appraisal field, overcome barriers to entry (such as education, training, and experience requirements), and provide support to position aspiring appraisers for professional success. The commitment will be spread out over three years with Chase devoting $1 million per year to support trainee education packages. This investment will help approximately 700 students with costs that include textbooks, calculators and the purchase of any additional required courses.  A commitment to advance racial equity Chase has had ongoing discussions with the Appraisal Institute and Fannie Mae on ways to support the Appraiser Diversity Initiative since the first quarter, and this isn’t the bank’s first financial commitment to advance racial equity.“JPMorgan Chase is taking a comprehensive approach to narrow the racial wealth gap in the U.S., particularly among Black and Latinx communities. “Last October, we announced a $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity of which $26 billion is dedicated to expanding affordable housing and sustainable homeownership in underserved communities,” Mark O’Donovan, CEO of Chase Home Lending, said. “In addition to driving sustainable homeownership, we’re working with our partners to root out bias in the residential appraisal process. We need new, diverse talent to join the appraiser industry and we’re hopeful that these scholarships will help pave the way.” 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 JPMorgan Chase commits $3 million to appraiser diversity appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Heirs step up as COVID deaths rock Bangkok's famous street-food stalls [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram will retain their identities after the rebranding exercise that critics have called an effort to distract the news cycle from the platform’s dysfunction. [ad_2] Source link

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