Category: Housing Market

Jumbo Loan Limits Increased

By Kevin Chiu Jumbo loan limits, eliminated just two months ago have been increased by the Federal Housing Administration. The move raised loan limits to 125% of local median home prices to a maximum of $729,750. The FHA jumbo loan increase was approved by Congress, and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.… Continue reading Jumbo Loan Limits Increased

Mortgage Pace Slows Before Boom

By Mike Colpitts Despite the second lowest mortgage rates on record, refinances slowed to the slowest pace in weeks as consumers waited for new guidelines for home refinancing to be announced. Applications for refinancing slipped, driving home loan originations 10% lower, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association but are projected to boom this week. The… Continue reading Mortgage Pace Slows Before Boom

Mortgage Rates Remain Near Record Lows

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates remained near record low levels for the third week in a row as consumer concerns over the U.S. economy gave into positive news about the improving state of the economy, despite unemployment levels that have been at the highest levels in the nation’s history since the Great Depression. The 30-year… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Remain Near Record Lows

Baseball’s Manny Ramirez Finally Sells Penthouse

By Kevin Chiu Exiled ex-baseball star Manny Ramirez has finally sold his Boston penthouse for a major loss after trying to sell the place more than six years, which just might be close to a record for any other earth-bound homeowner. The former baseball slugger finally quit the big leagues in disgrace after being busted… Continue reading Baseball’s Manny Ramirez Finally Sells Penthouse

Foreclosures Rise in October, But Nevada’s Chill

By Mike Colpitts Foreclosure auctions, the final step in the formal bank repossession process increased in October, rising 8% from the prior month as foreclosures in states that require courts to formally approve foreclosures moved higher recovering from bank moratoriums. But Nevada saw a major drop in foreclosures as a result of a new law… Continue reading Foreclosures Rise in October, But Nevada’s Chill

5 Million Mortgage Modifications Completed

The volunteer private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, banks and investors Hope Now has surpassed 5 million mortgage modifications since the start of their program, according to the organization. “When Hope Now started reporting data at the end of 2007, loan modifications were barely measurable,” said Faith Schwartz, executive director of Hope Now. “Homeowners either… Continue reading 5 Million Mortgage Modifications Completed

Mortgage Delinquencies Jump First Time in 2 Years

By Kevin Chiu Indicating that long periods of high underemployment and joblessness are hurting the economy, mortgage delinquencies jumped for the first time in two years in the third quarter. The U.S. mortgage delinquency rate rose 5.88% during the period, according to Trans Union. “Until this time, we had seen six straight quarters where progressively… Continue reading Mortgage Delinquencies Jump First Time in 2 Years

Mortgage Rates Budge Higher

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates budged higher this week as on-going worries over the European debt crisis sent Treasury bond yields reeling, but had real little impact on interest rates. The fixed 30-year mortgage rose a slim two basis point to 4.00%, but remains near its record all-time low, according to Freddie Mac. The 15-year… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Budge Higher

Survey Reveals Banks Should Cut Mortgages

Homeowners in desperate need of help should have their mortgages cut by banks and mortgage lenders in an effort to aid the U.S. economy, and slow the rate of foreclosures. That’s the finding from a new Housing Predictor survey, which found that a large majority feel that the same banks that got the U.S. into… Continue reading Survey Reveals Banks Should Cut Mortgages