Higher Prices May Produce Trouble Bubble

By Ryan Jackson Higher home prices being paid in some U.S. cities could lead to troublesome isolated bubbles, according to new research. Strong demand for homes in three of the nation’s hardest hit states are pushing up housing prices more quickly than might be sustainable. Driven by record low mortgage rates, sales are improving at… Continue reading Higher Prices May Produce Trouble Bubble

Home Prices Climb at 25 Year Clip

By Ryan Jackson Home prices increased at the fastest rate in 25 years during the spring selling season, according to real estate research firm CoreLogic. U.S. housing prices jumped an average of 1.4% during the month of June alone, the company said. The most substantial improvement in home prices has developed over the last three… Continue reading Home Prices Climb at 25 Year Clip

Hardest Hit States Foreclosures Slow

By Ryan Jackson Three of hardest hit states in the U.S. housing downturn have seen foreclosures drop by more than 25% providing a major sign of improvement for the nation’s housing market. Formal foreclosures in Nevada, Arizona and Michigan have been reduced at the highest level since the housing crisis started more than five years… Continue reading Hardest Hit States Foreclosures Slow

Mortgage Delinquencies Jump

By Mike Colpitts Homeowners in trouble on their mortgages jumped as more homes joined the long line of defaults in May showing another sign the U.S. economy is weakening, according to real estate analytics company Lender Processing Services. The slim 1.1% monthly jump in defaults is a troubling sign for the  U.S.  housing market, still… Continue reading Mortgage Delinquencies Jump

Foreclosures Jump Resumes After Robo-Signing Slowdown

By Mike Colpitts Foreclosure starts rose for the first time in more than two years in May, signaling a resumption of formal bank repossessions of homes with mortgages in default after months of slower foreclosures. Initial filings were lodged against 205,990 U.S. residential properties, according to RealtyTrac. The increase accounted for a 9% hike in… Continue reading Foreclosures Jump Resumes After Robo-Signing Slowdown

Shadow Inventory Declines, But Still Looms

By Mike Colpitts The shadow inventory or the number of homes that lurk uncounted by banks and other mortgage lenders in the abyss of the troubled housing market is shrinking as banks offer more troubled homeowners, including landlords short sales for the first time since the U.S. housing crisis started. Estimates of the shadow inventory,… Continue reading Shadow Inventory Declines, But Still Looms

Best Real Estate Housing Markets Through 2016

The best housing markets forecast for the next five years are composed of 10 cities scattered from Washington State to Florida. These 10 U.S. cities are projected by Housing Predictor to have the highest probability of appreciating the most for all cities in the nation through 2016. Most of the best real estate markets are… Continue reading Best Real Estate Housing Markets Through 2016

No Confidence in US Government to Aid Housing Market

Respondents to an online poll have given the U.S. government a no confidence vote when it comes to helping the housing market. An over-whelming majority of 84% who were surveyed said the government will not take major steps to help the housing market. The sweeping decision comes five years and more than 7 million foreclosures… Continue reading No Confidence in US Government to Aid Housing Market

Former Police Officers in Group of 26 Pleading Guilty in Fraud Scheme

By Mike Colpitts Four retired Las Vegas police officers and two real estate agents are among a group of 26 people who have pled guilty to federal charges related to a major fraud scheme involving a dozen Nevada condominium complexes. Federal prosecutors say the conspiracy was bank rolled with more than $8 million funneled through… Continue reading Former Police Officers in Group of 26 Pleading Guilty in Fraud Scheme

States Rip Off Foreclosure Victims

By Mike Colpitts Almost $1-billion targeted to victims of banking foreclosure fraud is being ripped off from foreclosure victims to be used to pay for other programs for states facing serious financial deficits. The nation’s largest five banks agreed to pay a $25 billion settlement as part of their agreement to settle allegations of illegal… Continue reading States Rip Off Foreclosure Victims