Category: 2010 Housing Market

Mortgages Applications Decline as Refinances Slow

Despite record low interest rates, mortgage applications declined for the first time in weeks last week, including an unexpected slow down in applications for home refinances, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. Applications declined 4.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis from a week ago, and a whopping 5.9% on refinancing alone. The decline marks a slowdown… Continue reading Mortgages Applications Decline as Refinances Slow

Gulf Oil Spill to Drop Homes Only 10%

By Mike Colpitts Gulf coast homes and condos on the immediate coastline in the path of the BP oil spill in Alabama and Florida will suffer only a 10% drop in average values as a result of the oil disaster, according to a new Housing Predictor forecast compiled after more than three months of research.… Continue reading Gulf Oil Spill to Drop Homes Only 10%

Mortgage Loan Fraud Declines

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage loan fraud has declined 25% since its peak in 2007, according to a survey conducted by Core Logic, a real estate research firm that monitors more than 3,000 local U.S. housing markets. The study was released on the heels of the largest Justice Department crackdown in history on perpetrators of mortgage… Continue reading Mortgage Loan Fraud Declines

Home Builder Sales Boom with $99 Down

By Mike Colpitts While most home builders are struggling to survive or have already gone out of business, one company is flourishing as it sells homes for just $99 down, taking advantage of a government program that provides the financing. Homebuilder Highland Homes sales are booming as it helps home buyers move into new Central… Continue reading Home Builder Sales Boom with $99 Down

Exiled Countrywide CEO Awaits Fate

By Willie Pena Exiled Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo walked away from his giant company with a golden parachute of nearly $300 million, close to a $24 million pension and $21 million in deferred compensation. Everyone who has been affected by the mortgage crisis, including millions of foreclosure victims is wondering what the fate of Mozilo… Continue reading Exiled Countrywide CEO Awaits Fate

Crash in Housing Relief Program

The Michigan housing relief program is battling technological failures to help homeowners. The first day unemployed homeowners could apply for relief to pay their home mortgages, the telephone lines and computer systems were so over-loaded they crashed. Housing Finance Agencies in five states are getting $1.5-billion in relief from the Hardest Hit Fund program started… Continue reading Crash in Housing Relief Program

Mortgage Rate Record Lows

Mortgage rates dipped a marginal one-hundredth of one percent, averaging 4.56% on a 30 year fixed rate loan for the week, the lowest since records have been kept, according to Freddie Mac. The decline for the third straight week marks a weakening in consumer confidence over the economy and housing. Home builder confidence is also… Continue reading Mortgage Rate Record Lows

Mortgage Applications Rise

Applications for home mortgages and refinances are soaring higher, showing an increase in activity in home sales and refinancing as a result of near record low loan rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Low rates coupled with lower home prices are producing the rise in applications. The volume of home re-sales, however, scheduled to… Continue reading Mortgage Applications Rise

Secrets of a Countrywide Insider

For nearly four years Willie Pena worked as a home loan consultant for Countrywide Home Loans in Seattle, Washington from late 2003 until mid-2007 where he sold loans to home buyers in the harrowing days of the real estate boom. Like many consultants Countrywide hired, Pena had no experience in the field until being hired… Continue reading Secrets of a Countrywide Insider