By Kevin Chiu Already under attack for inaccurate and sometimes fraudulent appraisals, a coalition of real estate industry related organizations is banding together to reform appraisal practices in an effort to fix part of the system that triggered the worst real estate crash since the Great Depression. Appraisers have been named as defendants in a… Continue reading Appraisal Reforms Sought
Category: Housing Market
Nationalized Lending May be Permanent
Nearly 9 out of 10 home mortgages are now being sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government sponsored enterprises taken over by the federal government at the peak of the financial crisis and backed by taxpayer money. The government supported program has strongly nationalized mortgage lending and put the housing market on life-support.… Continue reading Nationalized Lending May be Permanent
Housing Shows Stabilization
By Mike Colpitts More than four years after beginning its downturn, many housing markets are stabilizing. Stabilization is key and the first step in the recovery process as markets settle from the worst housing crash since the Great Depression. The long-running housing depression is far from over, but there are more indications that stabilization is… Continue reading Housing Shows Stabilization
Foreclosures Maintain Record Rate
Foreclosure filings fell less than one percent in August from the record high foreclosure rate in July, according to the monthly RealtyTrac foreclosure report. Some 358,471 properties had filings, keeping activity 18% above a year ago. One in every 357 U.S. households received a foreclosure filing during the month. After hitting a high for the… Continue reading Foreclosures Maintain Record Rate
Revolt May Start in California
By Kevin Chiu The first major move to pressure bankers to modify home mortgages may be developing in California. The action, planned for a vote next week, could be the most significant move yet to force bankers to take responsibility for millions of bad mortgages they issued to homeowners. The movement could signal a revolt… Continue reading Revolt May Start in California
House Poor Growing
By Mike Colipitts Fewer people are going to the movies. Fewer yet are buying goods in stores. Major grocery chains are seeing a rise in what were second rate brand food products selling at a discount. The savings rate has risen and may hit a new high. America is on a budget squeeze, and a… Continue reading House Poor Growing
Pop Goes the Housing Market
By John Hines Economist Bankers won’t tell you, but bankers are almost always motivated home sellers. They don’t become bankers to be landlords. The U.S. mortgage market is worth $10-billion in profits each year, and the people who peddle money like a pharmacist dispenses pills can make a lot more money making loans. The direction… Continue reading Pop Goes the Housing Market
Housing Affordability Hits New Highs
The two oldest indexes on housing affordability have reached new highs, indicating low interest rates, lower home prices and the first time home buyers tax credit are improving sales. Lower housing prices have produced a rush of cash strapped investors to purchase homes and are knocking out many first time buyers, who are trying… Continue reading Housing Affordability Hits New Highs
Comparing Today’s Financial Crisis to Great Depression
By Chris Tyler Comparisons between the current financial crisis and the Great Depression are becoming less common these days as the economy seemingly makes strides towards recovery. However, with growing unemployment, rising business failures, climbing bankruptcies and a growing epidemic of foreclosures progress is difficult to gauge. Most economists say the nation has moved into… Continue reading Comparing Today’s Financial Crisis to Great Depression
The Big Fix in the Housing Mess
By Mike Colpitts The housing market is starting to show signs of mending from its deflationary cycle. The Fed’s move to hold interest rates at or near 0% for an extended period of time and other actions being orchestrated are moves to fix housing and get the economy back on track. Low interest rates aren’t… Continue reading The Big Fix in the Housing Mess