EBCBOR'S Care Foundations Awards over $50k in Grant Monies to Local Organizations
The Eastern Bergen County Board of REALTORS Care Foundations hosted their 3rd annual Care Foundation luncheon this past Wednesday, where they gave over $50k in grant monies to 13 local organizations. These grants will help these organizations with upcoming projects they will have for the community in 2018. Among the organizations awarded were the Boys & Girls Club; CFA; Berge Family Promise; Center for Hope and Safety; Bergen Volunteer Center; YCS; Vantage Health Systems, among others.
VIEW IMAGES
INDUSTRY NEWS
Fed Raises Rate for Third Time This Year
The Federal Reserve acted as expected on Wednesday, increasing the key interest rate one-quarter percentage point for the third time this year. The action concludes a hastened 12 months for the policymaker, which raised the rate in March and June, as well as once in 2016 and once in 2015. It forecasts three rate raises in 2018.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
FCC Rolls Back Net Neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on December 14 to dismantle its net neutrality regulations. The issue will now move to the courts, where several groups will challenge the FCC's decision. Congress is also considering legislation that would codify the rules in law. NAR has actively supported net neutrality for years.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Changes to Money Laundering and FinCEN's recent advisory
FinCEN's recent advisory urges real estate professionals to voluntarily help combat, and report, money laundering concerns in the real estate market. Learn how to spot red flags, and learn more about recent FinCEN's recent efforts to fight money laundering.
TECH TIPS
Bitcoin Mortgages are a Thing Now, but Should They Be?
The homeowner who takes out a second mortgage for quick cash to finance his bitcoin purchase-the volatile digital currency has been on an impressive upswing lately, to $16,500 this week compared to around $800 in January 2017-is an urban myth to most lenders. And they don't necessarily view a bitcoin-motivated mortgage as any worse than other reasons behind home refinancing.
