Queens family heartbroken after shady real estate agent scammed them out of their home - and received no jail time
A heartbroken family who had their Queens home stolen through a flashy real estate agent's deed fraud scheme fought through tears at sentencing Wednesday - and then were outraged at the convicted scammer's no-jail sentence. Gloria Kubick, 79, said priceless items - like her deceased dad's "Welcome Home Johnny" sign from when he returned from World War II service - went missing after Autumn Valeri, 41, forged documents and conned Kubick and her daughter, Maria Bendek, into handing over their 61st Road home in Kew Gardens Hills, which they've owned since 1999.
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Fitzpatrick Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower Housing Costs and Expand Homeownership
"Housing is a real and growing concern in our community. Families are being stretched thin, young people are struggling to put down roots, and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods they've long called home. This bill clears a path for local governments to get homes built faster, more affordably, and in ways that reflect the needs of the communities they serve. It's a bipartisan solution that puts more homes directly in our community, supports smart growth across the country, and keeps opportunity within reach for the next generation."
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Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks up to 6.22% after four straight weekly declines
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors' expectations for the economy and inflation. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. The 10-year yield was at 4.09% at midday Thursday, down from 4.16% Wednesday.
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Making the 7-Day refi reality: Instant title, done right
The refinance experience is only as fast as its slowest step, and title insurance has traditionally been one of the least understood steps in the process - and, therefore, perceived as one of the most unpredictable. But the right technologies are making it possible to deliver instant title decisions for qualified files, reducing cycle times, operational drag, and most importantly, borrower frustration.
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Land Title Insurance Company Names Steven Black President and COO
With more than 35 years of title industry experience, Black brings a deep understanding of both underwriting and agency operations. Early in his career, he worked with a national underwriter where he developed key agent relationships and created a centralized title production platform for national lending institutions. He later founded and operated three successful title agencies before joining Westcor, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the business.
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As mortgage rates near 6%, this key figure could unlock a refinancing wave after the Fed meeting
Borrowers who took out mortgages over the past few years of high interest rates and a largely frozen housing market could finally see a big opportunity to refinance. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates by another 25 basis points next week to a 3.75% to 4% range, which would be its lowest level since Nov. 2022. It's helped that Friday's tame consumer price index all-but guaranteed that rate cut will happen.
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