Category: Mortgage

Opinion Poll: Americans Divided on Home Tax Credit

In an amazing study of public uncertainness, Americans are divided on whether states should offer tax credits to incentivize home buyers to purchase a home.  The new Housing Predictor online opinion poll found that almost by an identical margin respondents were unsure whether states with their troubled finances should provide tax credits to home buyers. A… Continue reading Opinion Poll: Americans Divided on Home Tax Credit

On a Budget but Living Large

By Joan Trombetti Americans might be on a tighter budget these days, but they are living large when it comes to their homes. A U.S. home is bigger with more bathrooms and bedrooms, according to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual American Housing Survey. Not only are Americans living large, the survey also revealed… Continue reading On a Budget but Living Large

Finding a Reputable Home Contractor

By Jeanne Roberts The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which mission is to protect American consumers from “unfair and deceptive acts or practices”, cautions that finding a home repair contractor may require a lot of legwork, but a diligent investigation will pay off in the end. Not only is your home likely your largest and most… Continue reading Finding a Reputable Home Contractor

BP Oil Pay Czar to Compensate Vacation Rentals

By Mike Colpitts Destin, Florida – The administrator of the $20-billion fund to compensate victims of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico says owners of rental properties along the gulf coast should apply for lost vacation rental revenue. Kenneth Feinberg, appointed by President Barack Obama as the pay czar after performing the… Continue reading BP Oil Pay Czar to Compensate Vacation Rentals

Mortgage Reform Limited in Congress Financial Bill

By Kevin Chiu The massive financial reform legislation package being debated in Congress attempts to halt predatory lending, and sets a framework into action that would reshape the mortgage lending industry. But the sweeping reforms don’t include a mention of the nation’s biggest mortgage debacle, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the broken government sponsored enterprises.… Continue reading Mortgage Reform Limited in Congress Financial Bill

Waking Up to the Economic Depression

By Mike Colpitts It’s been almost three years since Housing Predictor forecast an economic depression in August, 2007 as a result of the real estate collapse and what we collectively called then a credit crisis. Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman is the latest to sound the bell, writing that we are in the beginning of another… Continue reading Waking Up to the Economic Depression

Mortgage Rates Hitting New Lows

By Cheryl Reams Mortgage rates haven’t been this low on record, but with the economy still struggling to improve and the housing market showing few signs of a steady improvement it doesn’t seem to matter that much to those considering the purchase of a home. The Freddie Mac 30 year fixed rate home mortgage dropped… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Hitting New Lows

Outlawing the New Wall Street Real Estate Financial Tool

Even before the greatest financial reform legislation is passed by Congress since the Great Depression, Wall Street bankers and creative companies are popping up to finagle another way to rake in billions of dollars in profits from real estate. Risky Wall Street practices have gained the attention of politicians at the state level, who are… Continue reading Outlawing the New Wall Street Real Estate Financial Tool