U.S. May Launch Foreclosure Probes in 40 States

By Kevin Chiu Wide ranging investigations into improprieties by U.S. banks and mortgage lenders during the foreclosure process are being conducted in at least seven states, and another 33 states may soon follow suit. Fearing a greater public back lash, politicians who have accepted billions of dollars from mortgage companies and bankers are against foreclosure… Continue reading U.S. May Launch Foreclosure Probes in 40 States

Mortgage Rates Rise and Fall

Mortgage rates hit another record low as a 30-year fixed rate loan dropped to 4.27% last week, according to Freddie Mac, indicating that despite their troubles mortgage lenders are getting more aggressive about making home loans. Rates vary from time to time but have been on a two-year slide as the Federal Reserve keeps its… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Rise and Fall

Poll Shows Americans Divided

Americans are divided on whether the U.S. government should step into help those homeowners who are suffering through foreclosure at no fault of their own, according to a new Predictor poll. The bail-outs of bankers seem to have little impact on the way people feel about homeowners caught in the trap of the financial crisis.… Continue reading Poll Shows Americans Divided

Fourth Lender Halts Foreclosures in Robo Signing Storm

The brewing storm over the robo signing of foreclosure documents and the resulting halt of foreclosures by four big mortgage lenders could spell another disaster for the housing market. America lured people to a gold rush in properties at the height of its real estate boom and then the banks sold-off mortgages. Now hundreds of… Continue reading Fourth Lender Halts Foreclosures in Robo Signing Storm

Mortgage Rates Hit New Low Record

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates hit a new record low averaging just 4.27% on a 30-year fixed rate loan, according to Freddie Mac. The rate dropped .05 from last week to reach the new mark with an average 0.8 point. The 15-year fixed rate also averaged a new record low at 3.72%, down .03 from… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Hit New Low Record

Foreigners Buying Up US Property

By Mike Colpitts Home and condo prices have gotten so low in many areas of the country that foreign nationals are buying up property like it’s an old Blue Light sale at K-Mart. American real estate seems like its on sale at bargain basement prices. But whether the spike in foreigners buying property materializes into… Continue reading Foreigners Buying Up US Property

Partnership May be Mortgage Market Solution

By Diana Swan Former Treasury Secretary Paul Volcker, now a special adviser to President Barrack Obama, says the mortgage industry is dysfunctional and is “a creature of the government” and “that it is the biggest single element missing from financial regulatory reform.” A partnership between mortgage lenders and homeowners at risk of foreclosure could hold… Continue reading Partnership May be Mortgage Market Solution

Homes Selling Broadly Cheaper as Foreclosures

By Kevin Chiu Homes that had already been foreclosed represented nearly 1 in 4 sold during the second quarter of the year selling at broadly cheaper prices, according to RealtyTrac. Properties sold in some stage of foreclosure at more than 26% below average prices. Ohio residential foreclosures sold for an average discount of almost 43%… Continue reading Homes Selling Broadly Cheaper as Foreclosures

Illegal Foreclosures Charged in Investigation

Members of Congress are fed up with bankers and Fannie Mae and they’re letting them know it. In a letter signed by three Democrats, including the leader of the banking over-sight committee chairman Barney Frank, lawmakers complained to Fannie Mae for retaining lawyers who run “foreclosure mills” that are being investigated for illegally foreclosing on… Continue reading Illegal Foreclosures Charged in Investigation

Poll Respondents Expect More Housing Price Deflation

As fears over the financial crisis rise just weeks before mid-term U.S. elections, three out of 4 respondents surveyed feel that the housing market will decline in value as much as nearly half from its current levels, according to the latest Housing Predictor opinion poll. The finding clearly shows that Americans are extremely concerned about… Continue reading Poll Respondents Expect More Housing Price Deflation