Less than 1-Million Underwater Homeowners to Refinance

By Mike Colpitts In the Obama administration’s piece-meal approach to solving the housing market collapse, less than 1-million additional underwater homeowners are expected to receive refinances through the expanded HARP program, according to federal officials. The announcement by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Edward DeMarco confirms a Housing Predictor analysis made just a day after… Continue reading Less than 1-Million Underwater Homeowners to Refinance

Mortgage Rates Drop as Adjustables Hit New Lows

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates dropped on popular fixed rate loans and hit a new low on adjustable rate mortgages, according to Freddie Mac. The drop in rates sent the 30-year fixed rate average at or below 4% for the fourth straight week. The loan averaged 3.98%, slipping two basis points from last week, according… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Drop as Adjustables Hit New Lows

Cash is King in Current Real Estate Market

By Miike Colpitts As investors attempt to capitalize on the current state of the economy and snap up bargain priced deals in the real estate market, all cash sales are soaring and account for almost one in three residential transactions. Cash is king. Bargain hungry investors have been looking for cheaply priced housing to pay… Continue reading Cash is King in Current Real Estate Market

Mortgage Rates Dive as Applications Soar

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage applications soared as mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level on fully executed home loans in weeks, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. It was the second straight week rates had seen a drop to drive an increase in loan applications. Bankers reported an increase of 10.3% in application volume from… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Dive as Applications Soar

Mortgage Rates Drop to Near Record Low

By Mike Colpitts Mortgage rates dropped to their second lowest rate on record as worries over European debt concerns sent Treasury bonds lower this week. The rate on the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit 4.00% with 0.7 point, according to Freddie Mac. It was the lowest rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage since reaching… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Drop to Near Record Low

REITs Benefit Biggest From Low Interest Rates

By Mike Colpitts Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are benefitting from the Federal Reserve’s low interest rate policy more than any other single sector of the U.S. economy, and their profit windfalls are being returned to investors. Once thought to have seen their day, REITs are still benefitting from the Fed’s low interest rates stand,… Continue reading REITs Benefit Biggest From Low Interest Rates

Americans Unload Homes, Debt at Unprecedented Level

By Kevin Chiu Americans are unloading debt levels at unprecedented rates as they reduce mortgage rates through refinancing, pay down credit cards, loans on cars and in millions of cases let homes go back to banks and mortgage companies at unprecedented levels. The inventory of homes in the foreclosure pipeline not yet formally counted as… Continue reading Americans Unload Homes, Debt at Unprecedented Level

Real Estate Investment May Turn Stable

By Mike Colpitts Real estate investments have taken a financial beating the past five years, but could evolve into a more stable investment, despite poor macroeconomic conditions in the U.S., according to a private real estate investment equity firm. Investors with access to large amounts of cash, who are able to avoid debt, are likely… Continue reading Real Estate Investment May Turn Stable

Mortgages On Home Purchases Jump as Rates Decline

By Mike Colpitts Pushed by lower mortgage rates, home purchase applications jumped as consumers came out in greater numbers to take advantage of near record low mortgage rates. Seasonally adjusted purchases rose 1.8% from a week ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The refinance index, however, showed a slight two-tenths of a percent decline… Continue reading Mortgages On Home Purchases Jump as Rates Decline

Mortgage Rates Dip a Little

By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates dropped a single basis point to remain near their all-time record lows, with mixed consumer confidence and housing data, according to Freddie Mac. The average rate on the fixed 30-year loan was 4.10%, which is close to their 60-year low. The rate on the shorter fixed 15-year mortgage stayed the same… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Dip a Little