2012 California Housing Market

An improving employment picture coupled with record low mortgage rates and fewer foreclosure sales are sending the California housing market into overdrive. Despite the tough economy in most of the Golden State and an expected hike in foreclosure sales, most of California’s housing markets are now forecast to appreciate for 2013. The impact of the… Continue reading 2012 California Housing Market

Cities, States Respond to Foreclosure Crisis

By Mike Colpitts Since the federal government has only tried piece-meal solutions to resolve the housing mess cities and states across the U.S. are making their own changes to get the foreclosure crisis under control. New laws to help consumers have been passed in nearly three dozen states. San Bernardino County, California hard hit by… Continue reading Cities, States Respond to Foreclosure Crisis

Declining Foreclosures Bring Better Times

By Mike Colpitts Foreclosure activity declined 25% in the nation’s most populated state, California from one year ago in July, but the Golden State holds the distinction of having more foreclosures than any other. In fact the two highest foreclosure states, which are California and Arizona, are down in foreclosure filings. Nevada, which had been… Continue reading Declining Foreclosures Bring Better Times

Home Sales & Prices Jump

By Mike Colpitts Sales of existing homes and national median prices jumped in July to reach a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.47 million housing units after declining in June, according to the National Association of Realtors. Record low mortgage rates, which bottomed out in July and lower housing prices coupled with pent up demand… Continue reading Home Sales & Prices Jump

Mexican Drug Money Fuels Cash Purchases

By Mike Colpitts Mexican drug cartels have slowly moved money out of banks and other hiding places and into U.S. real estate investments. Federal investigators are hunting for people investing billions of dollars of drug money in the U.S. real estate market, including huge sums of cash in Florida, Texas and California. Cash purchases fuel… Continue reading Mexican Drug Money Fuels Cash Purchases

Effort to Block Bulk Wholesale Home Sales Launched

By Mike Colpitts An effort to block the bulk wholesale home sales of foreclosed property held by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to investors at cheaply discounted prices is being launched by an unlikely member of Congress, a Californian Republican. Rep. Gary Miller, a 14-year GOP incumbent in a battle to retain his House seat… Continue reading Effort to Block Bulk Wholesale Home Sales Launched

Recovery Heads to Higher Home Prices

By Ryan Jackson The U.S. housing recovery is moving into higher priced home markets as technology and newer industries pave the way for the nation’s future economic growth. The trend also demonstrates how some major cities that were once heavily populated are unlikely to recover much at all. The real estate crash has left huge… Continue reading Recovery Heads to Higher Home Prices

Olympics Trigger Huge Boom, But Little in Home Values

By Ryan Jackson Six cities that hosted the Olympics in the last quarter century have experienced huge construction booms with new projects needed to house the games, but the majority found little appreciation in home values or other property inflation following the games. In fact, three of six Olympic cities, including Los Angeles and Atlanta… Continue reading Olympics Trigger Huge Boom, But Little in Home Values

MERS Role Upheld in Foreclosures

By Mike Colpitts MERS, the electronic mortgage giant transfer company at the center of the robo-signing scandal, received better news from the California Supreme Court of Appeals. The court rejected mortgage borrower claims challenging the firm’s role as beneficiary in foreclosures. The decision, written by Justice Paul Haerle of the First Appellate District, agreed with… Continue reading MERS Role Upheld in Foreclosures

Higher Prices May Produce Trouble Bubble

By Ryan Jackson Higher home prices being paid in some U.S. cities could lead to troublesome isolated bubbles, according to new research. Strong demand for homes in three of the nation’s hardest hit states are pushing up housing prices more quickly than might be sustainable. Driven by record low mortgage rates, sales are improving at… Continue reading Higher Prices May Produce Trouble Bubble