Flipping Nets Big Profits

By Mike Colpitts Flippers who specialize in buying and repairing homes and then quickly re-selling them for a profit are purchasing them at foreclosure auctions and netting big profits, despite the down real estate market. Thanks to dozens of websites and A&E’s “Flip this House” TV show flippers have attained a serious reputation, and you… Continue reading Flipping Nets Big Profits

Home Price Index Shows Six Month Drop

By Mike Colpitts Home prices dropped for six straight months in the U.S., declining by 5.7% on average in January compared to a year earlier, despite the federal governments home buyer tax credit, according to Core Logic. The real estate research firm gathers mortgage data for the lending industry. The drop represented a 1% higher… Continue reading Home Price Index Shows Six Month Drop

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Foreclosure Preventions Double

By Kevin Chiu The number of foreclosure preventions by mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae doubled in 2010 over a year earlier, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency formed to administer the failed government lenders. But remains drastically under what the White House promised to deliver. Combined preventative measures by both mortgage giants… Continue reading Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Foreclosure Preventions Double

Expecting Huge Penalties, Banks Want More Money Down

By Kim Olson Gone are the days when you could “put nothing down” to get a home mortgage. Lenders are pushing for bigger down payments, and want more money down, forcing borrowers to rethink just how much house they can afford. The developments come as the nation’s largest mortgage lenders, Bank of America, Wells Fargo… Continue reading Expecting Huge Penalties, Banks Want More Money Down

Anti-Flipping Rule Eliminated

By Keisha Joseph In order to accelerate foreclosure sales the FHA has eliminated a temporary waiver of their anti-flipping rule. The extension will last until the end of this year, allowing home buyers to obtain FHA-insured loans to purchase foreclosed properties. The length of time the homeowner has held title is no longer a factor.… Continue reading Anti-Flipping Rule Eliminated

Paying Homeowners Money to Stay Works

By Mike Colpitts A former Wall Street banker, who started a company to save homeowners with mortgages from foreclosure has enrolled just short of 10,000 borrowers in its RH Reward program that is paying cash rewards to hurting homeowners. The plan works with banks and other financial institutions, including hedge funds to work with upside… Continue reading Paying Homeowners Money to Stay Works

Maine Robo-Signing Cases Thrown Out

By Kevin Chiu A federal judge in Maine has thrown out two of three charges against GMAC Mortgage in a highly publicized robo-signing foreclosure lawsuit that could set a precedent for similar actions. U.S. District Judge Brock Hornby dismissed claims from homeowners seeking financial damages from GMAC for improper foreclosures as a result of foreclosure… Continue reading Maine Robo-Signing Cases Thrown Out

Majority Believe in Free Market Miracle

A majority of those polled say that U.S. policy makers in Washington, D.C. should stop trying to implement programs to aid the troubled housing market, and let free market forces work things out alone. Apparently the majority believe that somehow a miracle will heal the real estate market plagued by years of Wall Street, bank… Continue reading Majority Believe in Free Market Miracle

Home Sales Rose Third Straight Month

By Mike Colpitts Home sales rose for the third straight month as lower home prices and near record low mortgage rates drove more buyers back into the market, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing sales of single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops tracked by the association increased 2.7% to a seasonally adjusted… Continue reading Home Sales Rose Third Straight Month