Category: Housing Market

Title Insurance Policies Show Housing Market Improving

The cost of insuring the title to real estate is declining as a result of falling home prices, according to the largest trade organization of title officers. But the American Land Title Association says a rise in title insurance policies show housing markets are improving. The industry trade group reported a 4.5% decrease in the… Continue reading Title Insurance Policies Show Housing Market Improving

White House Considers Free Money

By Mike Colpitts Weighing its political options, the Obama administration is carefully considering recommendations of Housing Finance Agencies in four states to reduce mortgage principal of homeowners at risk of foreclosure. The proposals made to the White House could act as a magic bullet to aid in the recovery of the nation’s housing markets, giving… Continue reading White House Considers Free Money

Real Estate Mortgage Rates Lowest in Year as Refinances Surge

Real estate mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level in a year to below 5%, according to Freddie Mac’s mortgage market survey. A 30-year conventional rate home mortgage was just seven-one-hundredths of a point higher than a year ago driving a surge in refinances. Refinances increased to 57.7% of applications, marking more than an 8%… Continue reading Real Estate Mortgage Rates Lowest in Year as Refinances Surge

Bank Foreclosures Set New High Record

Formal bank foreclosures of residential properties hit a new monthly high in April with more than 92,000 being taken back by lenders. The figure marks a new threshold in the foreclosure crisis, topping the previous month by just one percent, but represents a 45% increase in foreclosures over a year ago, according to Realty Trac.… Continue reading Bank Foreclosures Set New High Record

Real Estate Rewards Mortgage Rescue Program Hands Out $86 Million

By Mike Colpitts A mortgage rescue program intended to save under water mortgage holders from defaulting on mortgages has offered $86-million in real estate rewards to homeowners since launching. The private company program implemented by Loan Value Group, a New Jersey based firm has helped more than 1,000 mortgage borrowers in its first four months… Continue reading Real Estate Rewards Mortgage Rescue Program Hands Out $86 Million

California Burning Through Housing Inventory

Re-invigorated by a special $10,000 state tax credit, the California home market has been experiencing a rebound and a drop in housing inventory on the market. More than half of all homes sold by real estate agents in the last year have received multiple offers. Historically, when California begins a rebound in home sales the… Continue reading California Burning Through Housing Inventory

Opinion Poll Shows Housing Market Damage Ahead

More than 2 out of 3 polled say the expiration of the federal home buyers’ tax credit will damage the housing market. The online survey asked respondents if the expiration of the U.S. government’s program would damage the market. Some 68% said it would hurt markets in their recovery from the real estate crash manipulated… Continue reading Opinion Poll Shows Housing Market Damage Ahead

Home Improvement Projects On Up Swing

By Cheryl Reams As homeowners decide to stay put and wait out the housing market in rising numbers, home improvement stores are seeing an increase in sales of carpet, vinyl and cheaper products to spruce up homes. The nation’s largest hardware stores are experiencing an upturn, despite economic turmoil. Contractors have slashed prices in order… Continue reading Home Improvement Projects On Up Swing

New FHA Guidelines Eliminate Possibility of Success

By Gary A. Poliakoff, Ryan Poliakoff and Kevin Chiu Plagued by the real estate crisis that is likely to top that of the Great Depression, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has implemented a new set of lending standards in efforts to clear the glut of millions of vacant and unsold condominiums across the country. However,… Continue reading New FHA Guidelines Eliminate Possibility of Success