Category: Credit

One-Third of US Homeowners Underwater

By Mike Colpitts Nearly one out of three homeowners with a mortgage are underwater or owe more on their homes than they are presently worth, according to new research by Zillow economists. The figure represents almost 16 million U.S. mortgage holders struggling to pay home loans. However, foreclosure is not imminent for most underwater homeowners,… Continue reading One-Third of US Homeowners Underwater

Owner Financing Grows in Popularity

By Mike Colpitts Faced with a tight mortgage market, owner financing is growing in popularity as more homeowners market their homes to benefit new owners. But misconceptions over the easy availability of homes financed by their current owners keep many wannabe buyers from making home purchases. U.S. banks offer mortgages under tightly regulated criteria to… Continue reading Owner Financing Grows in Popularity

Credit Scores May Open Door on Mortgages

By Mike Colpitts In the first sign that mortgage lenders may be loosening their grasp lending to home loan borrowers, approved loan credit scores are declining. Applicants for home mortgages approved during the month of April averaged 745 on their FICO scores, a five point decline from two months earlier, according to Ellie Mae. The… Continue reading Credit Scores May Open Door on Mortgages

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

Secret Code Separates Mortgage Approval

By Riekie Karstens A loan officer submits a mortgage application for approval from the automated underwriting system, which is used in the mortgage industry to quickly separate the wheat from the chaff to determine whether applicants qualify for a mortgage. A secret code separates the wheat from the chaff in the loan approval process. Creditors… Continue reading Secret Code Separates Mortgage Approval

Mortgage Pace Slows Before Boom

By Mike Colpitts Despite the second lowest mortgage rates on record, refinances slowed to the slowest pace in weeks as consumers waited for new guidelines for home refinancing to be announced. Applications for refinancing slipped, driving home loan originations 10% lower, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association but are projected to boom this week. The… Continue reading Mortgage Pace Slows Before Boom

US Offers Foreign Residency for Real Estate

By Jeanne Roberts It’s an interesting offer – As a foreigner, buy a home in the United States for $500,000 or more and get a visa that lets you also live in the country. Buyers could also qualify for the visa by purchasing a $250,000 home and spending an equivalent amount on residential real estate… Continue reading US Offers Foreign Residency for Real Estate

Title Officers Charged in Robo-Signing Felonies

By Mike Colpitts Two title officers associated with Lender Processing Services have been indicted by a Nevada county grand jury on charges related to illegal robo-signings, according to the Office of the Nevada Attorney General. The two LPS employees, Gary Trafford and Gerri Sheppard, were indicted on 606 counts. The charges relate to allegations of… Continue reading Title Officers Charged in Robo-Signing Felonies

Americans Unload Homes, Debt at Unprecedented Level

By Kevin Chiu Americans are unloading debt levels at unprecedented rates as they reduce mortgage rates through refinancing, pay down credit cards, loans on cars and in millions of cases let homes go back to banks and mortgage companies at unprecedented levels. The inventory of homes in the foreclosure pipeline not yet formally counted as… Continue reading Americans Unload Homes, Debt at Unprecedented Level