Category: 2011 Housing Market

Home Sales Over Reported By National Association of Realtors

By Mike Colpitts Home sales were over reported by more than 14% for a four year period by the National Association of Realtors, the organization admitted today. The alarming drop in the association’s existing sale figures came as no surprise to many local members, who had said the national association was over reporting sales for… Continue reading Home Sales Over Reported By National Association of Realtors

Selling LA Renewed for Second Season

By Kevin Chiu Selling LA, a TV show featuring luxury estates throughout the richest areas of Los Angeles has been renewed for a second season on Home and Garden Television. Real estate broker Valerie Fitzgerald, the star of the dazzling show will be joined by other members of her team as the weekly show shines… Continue reading Selling LA Renewed for Second Season

Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows

By Mike Colpitts Lower rates paid for U.S. Treasury bonds sent mortgage rates to their lowest levels in more than two months, driving the fixed 30-year mortgage to reach its lowest level in history since early October, and the 15-year fixed loan to another record low, according to Freddie Mac. The 30-year loan averaged 3.94%… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows

Index Shows Housing Prices Decline

By Mike Colpitts Housing prices declined an average of 3.9% through the end of October on a year over year basis, according to the CoreLogic housing price index. The index shows that home values have dropped for three straight months, and are especially hard hit in five states. Nevada has led the nation in foreclosures… Continue reading Index Shows Housing Prices Decline

How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by Mortgage Companies

By Kevin Chiu A new mortgage website is offering homeowners and first time home buyers the opportunity to ask questions and “get truthful, unbiased and easy to understand” answers to avoid being ripped off by mortgage companies. The concept is the brain-child of Yale Roth, a former school teacher who has been making loans for… Continue reading How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by Mortgage Companies

Owner Financing Breaks Into Fashion

By Mike Colpitts Owner financing is making a comeback in the housing market as homeowners look for ways to sell their homes in the sluggish economy. Selling a home with an owner carrying the mortgage was hardly heard of during the housing boom, but it’s returned out of necessity as more owners explore alternative ways… Continue reading Owner Financing Breaks Into Fashion

Man Convicted of Filing False Real Estate Liens

By Kevin Chiu A federal jury has convicted a self-admitted “sovereign citizen” of filing $20 billion in false public real estate liens against government officials. The jury returned the verdict in Spokane, Washington after a two day trial against Ronald James Davenport. The 63-year-old Chewelah, Washington resident is an admitted federal tax protestor, whose ex-wife… Continue reading Man Convicted of Filing False Real Estate Liens

Mortgage Rates Budge Higher

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates budged higher this week as on-going worries over the European debt crisis sent Treasury bond yields reeling, but had real little impact on interest rates. The fixed 30-year mortgage rose a slim two basis point to 4.00%, but remains near its record all-time low, according to Freddie Mac. The 15-year… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Budge Higher

Home Inventory Drops to 4-Year Low

By Mike Colpitts Homes listed for sale on the market dropped for the fifth consecutive month, hitting the lowest level in four years. The drop is a positive sign for the housing market, which has seen more home sales in recent months to aid the struggling market. Housing inventory at the end of October dropped… Continue reading Home Inventory Drops to 4-Year Low