S&P Credit Downgrade May Restore Confidence

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage interest rates had little immediate change as a result of Standard & Poor’s credit agency downgrading the U.S. economy for the first time in the nation’s history since the announcement was made after banks and financial markets were closed Friday. S&P announced the credit downgrade from AAA to AA+ Friday evening.… Continue reading S&P Credit Downgrade May Restore Confidence

Undermining the Credit Rating Agencies For the Public Good

By Mike Colpitts They blew it! Standard and Poor’s, Fitch and Moody’s all blew the calls on the financial crisis and real estate crash. So what does it really matter now that S&P downgraded the U.S. economy for the public good? It’s their history MAN! S&P has been around for more than 150 years, and… Continue reading Undermining the Credit Rating Agencies For the Public Good

Equifax Survey Shows Credit Improvement

By Kevin Chiu Mortgages made to applicants for home purchases and refinancing were down 4% in July from a year ago as weaknesses in job growth and auto sales took a toll on the economy, according to Equifax Credit Forecast Company. But defaults dropped sharply and other areas of credit extended to consumers, including home… Continue reading Equifax Survey Shows Credit Improvement

Mortgage Defaults Surge Higher

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage defaults, the first step homeowners face in the foreclosure process, surged higher during the month of June demonstrating an increase in future anticipated foreclosures growing at the fastest rate in more than a year, according to Lender Processing Services, a real estate data supplier which tracks defaults. The surge in mortgage… Continue reading Mortgage Defaults Surge Higher

Countrywide CEO Troubled by Mortgage Lending Practices

By Mike Colpitts Former Countrywide Lending CEO Angelo Mozilo was troubled by his former company’s lending practices, especially problems that could arise from ALT-A adjustable rate mortgages, emails between Mozilo and former company employees’ show. The emails came to light during a federal investigation into the nation’s former giant mortgage lender. The sun tanned ex-Countrywide… Continue reading Countrywide CEO Troubled by Mortgage Lending Practices

Donald Trump’s Best Friend Lists $10 Million Estate

Billionaire gambling magnate Phillip Ruffin, who is Donald Trump’s best friend is putting his 8,000 square foot Palos Verdes, California estate on the market to sell after owning the home only five years. Ruffin sold the New Frontier Hotel and Casino to the owners of New York’s Plaza hotel for $1.2 billion in the midst… Continue reading Donald Trump’s Best Friend Lists $10 Million Estate

Mortgage Rates Climb a Little

Mortgage interest rates climbed slightly for the week as fixed rates moved up a single basis point on 30-year and 15-year loans from a week earlier, according to Freddie Mac. The rates on adjustable mortgages moved slightly lower. The small climb in rates still keeps borrowing for those wanting to refinance mortgages near their historic… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Climb a Little

Banks Demolish Thousands of Homes

By Mike Colpitts Swamped by foreclosures banks and mortgage lenders are demolishing homes in some of the hardest hit real estate markets in the U.S. after they foreclose on them in order to free up capital and get a tax write-off on the properties. JP Morgan Chase donated 1,900 homes since 2008 to be demolished… Continue reading Banks Demolish Thousands of Homes

Mortgages Fall on Interest Rate Hike

Mortgage activity fell as interest rates saw a hike last week on signs of a weaker economy and trouble related to the U.S. budget debacle, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The composite index, a combination of refinancing and new home mortgage applications had a fall of 5% from the prior week as an increasing… Continue reading Mortgages Fall on Interest Rate Hike

Home Sales Dip Troubling Real Estate Market on Cancellations

By Mike Colpitts Home sales saw a dip as weary buyers cancelled more purchase transactions in June, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing sales declined in the West and Northeast to out pace an increase in real estate sales in the Southern and Mid-Western sections of the U.S. Sales of single family homes,… Continue reading Home Sales Dip Troubling Real Estate Market on Cancellations