Category: Housing Market

Underwater Homeowner Relief Program Extended

By Kevin Chiu As the housing relief programs implemented by the Obama administration come under attack in Congress, the refinancing program administered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help underwater homeowners is being extended in efforts to aid more upside down homeowners. The underwater relief program has become a vital component in the Obama… Continue reading Underwater Homeowner Relief Program Extended

Home Price Direction Fact and Fiction

By Kim Olson Home prices have been moving in one direction in most areas of the U.S. and that isn’t comforting homeowners. It’s a fact that most areas of the nation are seeing more home sales but only because prices have come down so much because of foreclosures, and other bank-assisted sales. What can prospective… Continue reading Home Price Direction Fact and Fiction

Mortgage Fraud Led By California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage fraud is blamed for trillions of dollars in failed loans in the U.S., especially in California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona, where incidents have been the highest and foreclosures make up the largest volume of troubled homeowners, according to federal authorities. But state and federal law enforcement agencies are encountering major problems… Continue reading Mortgage Fraud Led By California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada

Bankers Oppose Mortgage Retention Proposal

By Kevin Chiu Six federal agencies are proposing a rule that would require banks and mortgage companies to retain at least 5% of the mortgages they make, and not sell them to the investment market to hedge against credit risk. But the proposal is being opposed by the banking industry as part of the Dodd-Frank… Continue reading Bankers Oppose Mortgage Retention Proposal

Mortgage Rates Drop to Record Low

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage interest rates dropped to the lowest levels since last November on signs that the U.S. economy is weakening further, and is likely to move into another official government defined recession. The housing market in many states throughout the country is already dealing with an economic depression, and has been for more… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Drop to Record Low

California Realtor President Requests Aid in Short Sales

By Kevin Chiu Short sales were hardly ever heard of before the real estate collapse, but these days bank assisted short sales, in which lenders take less than what is owed on a mortgage are failing on at least 40% of those attempted, according to a Realtors organization. In a letter published in seven California… Continue reading California Realtor President Requests Aid in Short Sales

Freddie Mac Expands Mortgage Lending

By Kevin Chiu In an effort to stimulate more mortgage lending, Freddie Mac has extended its eight year agreement with independent banks, giving more than 5,000 lenders more access to funds to generate additional home loans. The program is targeted at independent community banks, which are facing more restrictive lending guidelines as a result of… Continue reading Freddie Mac Expands Mortgage Lending

Mortgage Rates Jump 3 Straight Weeks

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates jumped higher for the third straight week as home buyers became skittish about making purchase decisions amid international unrest and doubts about the U.S. economy, according to Freddie Mac. The jump in interest rates on the bench mark 30-year fixed rate loan moved ever closer to 5% at 4.86%, five… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Jump 3 Straight Weeks

Mortgage Interest Rates Drop on Japan Fears

By Mike Colpitts Interest Rates on home mortgages dropped as a result of investor worries over the disaster in Japan and fears of contagion over financial markets falling across the world. Mortgage rates showed a drop across all types of loans offered to home borrowers, according to Freddie Mac. The average rate on a 30-year… Continue reading Mortgage Interest Rates Drop on Japan Fears