Category: California

California housing market

Housing Peaks at 60% Deflation

By Ryan Jackson Nevada has led the U.S. in foreclosures for more than five years straight and it has also suffered the highest loss in average housing deflation, according to an audit conducted by Housing Predictor. With Las Vegas at the center of action, Sin City has sustained 62 months as the nation’s foreclosure capital… Continue reading Housing Peaks at 60% Deflation

Attorney General Appoints Monitor in Bank Settlement

By Mike Colpitts In an effort to protect consumers from additional fraudulent behavior by banks, the California attorney general has appointed an independent monitor to oversee the nation’s five largest banks performance in $18 billion worth of benefits that will be split up between homeowners. Attorney General Kamala Harris announced the appointment of University of… Continue reading Attorney General Appoints Monitor in Bank Settlement

Economists Forecast Sharp Real Estate Rebound

By Mike Colpitts A group of leading U.S. economists forecast broad improvements in the nation’s economy, real estate capital markets and the housing market through 2014. The projection was issued after the Urban Land Institute surveyed economists for its new real estate consensus forecast. The survey of 38 economists across the country, found that 2012… Continue reading Economists Forecast Sharp Real Estate Rebound

Proposals to Halt Foreclosure Abuse

By Mike Colpitts Six proposals calling for greater transparency by banks dealing with homeowners at risk of foreclosure are being proposed in a package of bills that make up the Homeowner Bill of Rights in California. The landmark legislation is the largest effort yet in any state to aid millions of homeowners abused by lenders.… Continue reading Proposals to Halt Foreclosure Abuse

Clean Air Produces Higher Home Prices

Housing prices get a major lift from reductions of smog and other pollutants, according to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research. After all, given the choice who wouldn’t want to live in an area with plenty of clean air to breathe each day? The study was gathered by researchers Kenneth Chay… Continue reading Clean Air Produces Higher Home Prices

Home Prices Fall Almost 5% in 2011

By Mike Colpitts Home prices fell nearly an average of 5% last year as a result of a troubled U.S. economy, decaying consumer sentiment, high unemployment and a foreclosure crisis that is running out of control, according to real estate research firm Core Logic. The company’s December Home Price Index showed an average 4.7% decline… Continue reading Home Prices Fall Almost 5% in 2011

Banks Mortgage Settlement Hangs in Jeopardy

By Kevin Chiu A proposed settlement between big money mortgage giants and U.S. states hangs in jeopardy after Delaware rejected the settlement as an unfair deal for homeowners. State Attorney General Beau Biden broke with fellow AGs rejecting the settlement. The proposed settlement between the attorney generals would dedicate $17-billion from lenders to go towards… Continue reading Banks Mortgage Settlement Hangs in Jeopardy

Real Estate Investment Concentrated in 30 Cities

By Mike Colpitts More than half of all real estate investments are concentrated in 30 major cities across the world, according to a new study. Twenty-five percent of property investments are in five metropolitan areas, including New York. The study, conducted by commercial real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle, found that major cities house most… Continue reading Real Estate Investment Concentrated in 30 Cities

Private Equity Firms Purchase Fannie Mae Foreclosures

By Kevin Chiu The bulk sale of foreclosed Fannie Mae homes to private equity firms will place foreclosures right back into the very hands of some of the banks and investors which triggered the foreclosure crisis by manipulating financial markets. Fannie Mae is inviting investors to become joint venture partners in the biggest bulk sale… Continue reading Private Equity Firms Purchase Fannie Mae Foreclosures