Credit Unions Gain Mortgage Business

By Kevin Chiu Credit unions are attracting more business from conventional banks and mortgage lenders in the wake of the financial crisis, as bankers lose customers as a result of loose lending practices and distrust with the foreclosure of millions of homes. Risky mortgage lending practices, in which many banks turned a blind eye to… Continue reading Credit Unions Gain Mortgage Business

BP Oil Spill May Miss Florida Panhandle

Destin, Florida — While thick oil piles up in the marshes along the Louisiana coastline from the BP oil spill, beaches along the Florida panhandle remain clear of the sledge with the exception of a few tar balls floating ashore in spotty areas. Growing indications show that the massive oil slick may miss the Florida… Continue reading BP Oil Spill May Miss Florida Panhandle

2010 Nevada Housing Market

High unemployment in construction, gaming and retail sales is contributing to the epidemic of foreclosures in Nevada, which has slowed as bankers hold back on foreclosing properties in an attempt to raise housing prices. An assortment of new casino projects under construction has been stopped in their tracks, victims of the global financial meltdown. Unemployment… Continue reading 2010 Nevada Housing Market

Very Low Confidence in Housing Market

Very Low Confidence in Housing Market Consumer confidence in the housing market is near a modern all-time low, according to a new Housing Predictor opinion poll. The survey found that a huge majority of those polled feel the housing market is not improving, despite a series of government programs and other efforts to re-energize the… Continue reading Very Low Confidence in Housing Market

BP Oil Spill Strikes Florida with Snow Ball Effect

By Mike Colpitts Wallowing in pain from the financial crisis, its real estate markets bruised and battered Florida’s panhandle beaches are being struck by the gushing oil spill from the Louisiana BP oil well. Call it “the Snow Ball Effect” of this mighty economic, environmental and real estate catastrophe. It’s a snow ball of extremes,… Continue reading BP Oil Spill Strikes Florida with Snow Ball Effect

Mortgage Rates Barely Budge

By Cheryl Reams Mortgage rates on a conventional 30-year loan barely budged from last week, rising a slim one-hundredth of one percent to 4.79% on average, according to Freddie Mac. Applications for home loans also slowed. The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is the barometer of mortgage rates, remaining at or near its lowest level for… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Barely Budge

Home Market Stabilization Gains Momentum

By Kevin Chiu Housing sales rose in April as the federal tax credit expired, and pending home sales increased for four straight months, indicating that momentum is building in the housing market setting up a pattern of stabilization. Aided by lower home prices, the momentum of sales is expected to slow and then rise over… Continue reading Home Market Stabilization Gains Momentum

Default Mortgages Ease to 7.3 Million

By Kevin Chiu Mortgages in default and foreclosed homes account for just over 7.3-million homes, according to Lender Processing Services, the nation’s largest provider of mortgage servicing data. The widespread volume of distressed properties indicates that by any measure a full recovery in the housing market is not possible for more than a year. Homes… Continue reading Default Mortgages Ease to 7.3 Million