Half of Homeowners Qualify for New Mortgage

By Mike Colpitts Only about half of all homeowners would qualify to buy a new mortgage under current more restrictive mortgage lending guidelines. In the U.S. 54% of homeowners with a mortgage would qualify to put 20% down from the sale of their present home, according to Core Logic, which researches the mortgage industry. The… Continue reading Half of Homeowners Qualify for New Mortgage

Underwater Homeowners Numbers Surge

By Mike Colpitts The number of homeowners underwater on mortgages reached 11.1 million during the final quarter of 2011, representing 22.8% of U.S. residential properties, according to real estate data firm CoreLogic. The increase marks a surge of 400,000 mortgage holders who are upside down on mortgages from the previous quarter. Declining home values in… Continue reading Underwater Homeowners Numbers Surge

Advantages to Hosting Big Sports, World’s Fair Size Events

By Mike Colpitts Major sporting events and other big attractions that gain media attention like the World’s Fair and the Olympics pay-off big dividends for cities that host the venues. Big events also boost communitie’s real estate markets. European cities are competing for major entertainment and sporting events to expedite real estate development and investment… Continue reading Advantages to Hosting Big Sports, World’s Fair Size Events

Americans Move at Lowest Rate since World War II

By Mike Colpitts Saddled with a weak economy and sluggish housing market Americans moved across state lines at the lowest rate since World War II in 2010, according to the Brookings Institution. Only 1.4% moved to a new state during the year. Demographer William Frey said “tepid gains in employment and the rise in home… Continue reading Americans Move at Lowest Rate since World War II

Revolt Grows as More Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages

By Mike Colpitts Millions of homeowners are living in their homes without paying mortgages as more mortgage holders revolt against banks and mortgage servicing companies in America’s growing foreclosure crisis. Some mortgage borrowers are trying to work with banks and mortgage companies. Others have tired over the hassles it takes to work with lenders to… Continue reading Revolt Grows as More Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages

Foreclosure Victim Turns Consumer Advocate

By Mike Colpitts Overcome by banking fraud and lies by bank and mortgage company employees, Michael Bang became a specialist on foreclosures before authoring a book on how to overcome the fraud of bankers and strategically walk away from a mortgage. As millions of American homeowners face the nightmare of foreclosure and tough economic times… Continue reading Foreclosure Victim Turns Consumer Advocate

$23 Billion in Home Buyer Tax Credits

The credit to home buyers taking advantage of the federal government’s tax credit has reached $23.5 billion, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Some $16.2-billion was for the first time home buyers $8,000 credit and $6,500 grants to first and second time buyers. The tax credits produced a spike in home sales in the majority… Continue reading $23 Billion in Home Buyer Tax Credits