By Mike Colpitts A ballot initiative that would force banks to provide proof of ownership before foreclosing on a home is facing a major legal fight in court by bankers, who want to kill the citizen initiated proposal before it makes the ballot. Two big banking associations are battling against the initiative from being placed… Continue reading Banks Fight Foreclosure Initiative
Category: Banks
Company Beating Thieves to Homes
By Ryan Jackson An innovative company is beating thieves by preventing vacant homes from being ripped-off with sophisticated technology plus gaining a foothold in the security business as it uses the advanced technologies its developed to secure homes. VPS entered the Las Vegas housing market to sell its services since the region is regarded as… Continue reading Company Beating Thieves to Homes
US Economic Fear Sends Mortgage Rates Lower
By Mike Colpitts Fear over the U.S. economy and European debt woes sent mortgage rates to all-time record low levels this week as the benchmark 30-year fixed rate loan hit 3.84%. The previous record low was set in early February at 3.87%, according to Freddie Mac. Growing fears over the health of the economy sent… Continue reading US Economic Fear Sends Mortgage Rates Lower
Mortgage Banker Pleads Guilty in $6.5 Million Scheme
By Ryan Jackson When the housing market collapsed hundreds of thousands of mortgage and real estate agents who made their livings in real estate suffered, losing incomes, and many have been foreclosed as a result of the collapse. But one Florida mortgage banker admits to leading a criminal conspiracy to defraud HUD out of more… Continue reading Mortgage Banker Pleads Guilty in $6.5 Million Scheme
Short Sales Finally Speed Up
By Mike Colpitts The nation’s giant mortgage lenders will force banks and mortgage servicers to enforce new guidelines to speed up short sales. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will require lenders to respond to requests for short sales from mortgage borrowers within 60 days under a new mandate ordered by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.… Continue reading Short Sales Finally Speed Up
Home Prices Forecast Higher
By Mike Colpitts Home prices in a larger number of cities are forecast to inflate in value in 2012 as many U.S. cities make inroads towards a housing recovery. Signs of progress are developing in a growing number of U.S. states, including hard hit Florida, Michigan and Mississippi. Improving conditions in many cities are attributed… Continue reading Home Prices Forecast Higher
Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop
By Mike Colpitts Growing doubts about the U.S. economy and weakness in the job sector slowed mortgage application activity last week, despite a drop in key mortgage rates being offered by lenders, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The market composite index, a combination of both refinances and home purchase applications dropped 3.8%. But the… Continue reading Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop
Foreclosures Drop Two Straight Months
By Mike Colpitts Demonstrating the U.S. largest five banks are following rules agreed to in their $25 billion settlement with 49 state attorney generals, foreclosures saw a drop for two straight months in March as lenders increased efforts with home mortgage holders, according to RealtyTrac. The drop in foreclosure activity showed there were 198,853 filings… Continue reading Foreclosures Drop Two Straight Months
Housing Starts Unexpectedly Slide
By Mike Colpitts Despite record warm weather making it attractive for new home builders, housing starts saw an unexpected slide in March, but new home building permits rose to the highest level in three and a half years, according to the Commerce Department. The drop in new home construction caught economists off guard as starts… Continue reading Housing Starts Unexpectedly Slide
Homeowners Cash Pay Offs Gain Momentum
By Ryan Jackson In a move to improve bank balance sheets and increase their profits, banks are offering cash incentives to homeowners in default on their mortgages to entice them to make short sales on their homes. The effort is gaining momentum with an onslaught of banks and private mortgage companies as bankers offer as… Continue reading Homeowners Cash Pay Offs Gain Momentum