By Mike Colpitts More than 1.5 million U.S. homeowners over the age of 50 lost their homes to foreclosure as a result of banks and Wall Street developing the mortgage crisis, according to a study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The study surveyed mortgage loan data for 2007 through 2011. The study… Continue reading 1.5 Million Over 50 Lost Homes to Foreclosure
Category: Statistics
Mortgage Rates Claim Another Record
By Mike Colpitts Driven by record low mortgage rates, the U.S. housing market is beginning to show signs of improvement as consumers search for discount priced homes. The 30-year fixed rate loan, 15-year fixed mortgage and the 5-year ARM all hit new all-time record lows this week to push hesitant buyers off the fence. The… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Claim Another Record
Summer Home Sales Decline
By Ryan Jackson Despite record low mortgage rates and the lowest home prices in years, existing home sales disappointingly fell for the second straight month in June as consumers remain skittish about the U.S. economy to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.37 million units. The usually busy summer selling season has gotten off to a… Continue reading Summer Home Sales Decline
Mortgage Activity Surges on Refinancing
By Mike Colpitts Mortgage rates hit another record low last week, spurring a huge surge in home refinancing as homeowners sought out the lowest loan payments possible. The Mortgage Bankers market composite index jumped 16.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis. Refinancing surged 22% from the prior week and is at the highest level since last… Continue reading Mortgage Activity Surges on Refinancing
Household Energy Costs Jump 3% Yearly
By Mike Colpitts Household energy costs are jumping almost 3% a year in the U.S. to average $2,024 annually, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The amount it costs to heat and cool a home has been rising steadily since at least 2005, a new study by the department’s information administration shows. Energy expenses are… Continue reading Household Energy Costs Jump 3% Yearly
Underwater Homeowners Gain Home Equity
By Mike Colpitts Underwater homeowners, already upside down in the current economy more than ever before are seeing their fortunes turn around, with new data showing a gain in home equity. The upturn in homeowner equity comes as a result of growing home price inflation in some cities and slower equity losses in others. Some… Continue reading Underwater Homeowners Gain Home Equity
Banks Play Catch Up On Foreclosures
By Mike Colpitts Banks are playing catch up formally repossessing homes in judicial foreclosure states as they unwind a back-log of foreclosures from the robo-signing scandal. The foreclosure inventory remains at near all-time highs with 4.12% of all U.S. homes with mortgages in the foreclosure pipeline, according to Lender Processing Services. However, new problem loan… Continue reading Banks Play Catch Up On Foreclosures
Tight Housing Inventory Slows Recovery
By Mike Colpitts A tight inventory of homes restricted by new bank foreclosure procedures and underwater homeowners unable to sell homes slows the U.S. housing market from making a swift recovery. The limited supply of existing homes listed for sale is producing multiple offers in some cities, and sluggish sales in others. Housing inventory has… Continue reading Tight Housing Inventory Slows Recovery
Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low
By Mike Colpitts Lower Treasury bond yields and uncertainty over the world economy drove mortgage rates to another record all-time low this week as the 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit an average of 3.62%. The historic drop in rates was also experienced in the shorter term 15-year fixed loan. The drop in rates is unprecedented… Continue reading Mortgage Borrowing Rates Drop to Unprecedented Record Low
Rents Rise to Menace Market
Home and apartment rents are rising in the majority of the U.S. and are expected to sustain higher increases over coming months to menace the housing market, according to a survey of residential property managers. The new TransUnion survey found that both large and small property managers are faring better than they were a year… Continue reading Rents Rise to Menace Market