Shadow Inventory Falls 200,000 Homes

By Mike Colpitts The inventory of U.S. homes that have not yet been foreclosed but are in financial jeopardy recognized as the shadow inventory has declined by 200,000, according to real estate research firm Core Logic. The current residential shadow inventory is 1.8-million units, which represents a nine months supply of inventory at present sales… Continue reading Shadow Inventory Falls 200,000 Homes

Housing Watch Index Shows Improving Trends

By Kevin Chiu Starting today Housing Predictor debuts a new real estate index. Housing markets that make the new “Watch List” are being monitored closely for changing economic conditions in the near future as a result of at least two improving economic trends. Some of the markets on the list have already been forecast to… Continue reading Housing Watch Index Shows Improving Trends

Split Housing Market Bottom Forecast

By Kevin Chiu Divided by growing political unrest, a nation in economic turmoil and the reluctance of banks to lend to any but the best of mortgage worthy applicants in the current economy, the U.S. housing market is forecast to experience a split as some areas of the nation hit bottoms of the market and… Continue reading Split Housing Market Bottom Forecast

Freddie Mac Expands Mortgage Lending

By Kevin Chiu In an effort to stimulate more mortgage lending, Freddie Mac has extended its eight year agreement with independent banks, giving more than 5,000 lenders more access to funds to generate additional home loans. The program is targeted at independent community banks, which are facing more restrictive lending guidelines as a result of… Continue reading Freddie Mac Expands Mortgage Lending

Americans Move at Lowest Rate since World War II

By Mike Colpitts Saddled with a weak economy and sluggish housing market Americans moved across state lines at the lowest rate since World War II in 2010, according to the Brookings Institution. Only 1.4% moved to a new state during the year. Demographer William Frey said “tepid gains in employment and the rise in home… Continue reading Americans Move at Lowest Rate since World War II

Markets Forecast to Rise with Housing Inflation

In a turning point that demonstrates U.S. housing markets are making a recovery, Housing Predictor is forecasting that local markets in seventeen states will experience housing inflation in 2011. The states are dominated by the Mid-west and most Northern regions that were less affected by harmful new mortgage lending products during the real estate bubble,… Continue reading Markets Forecast to Rise with Housing Inflation

Mortgage Company Wins Award Going Green

By Mike Colpitts As hundreds of banks and mortgage companies go out of business due to the troubled economy and rough mortgage lending market a Houston, Texas based mortgage company is winning awards, but not for doing a record volume of loans. The company won the Green Originator Award from Mortgage Technology magazine for its… Continue reading Mortgage Company Wins Award Going Green

Illegal Foreclosures Charged in Investigation

Members of Congress are fed up with bankers and Fannie Mae and they’re letting them know it. In a letter signed by three Democrats, including the leader of the banking over-sight committee chairman Barney Frank, lawmakers complained to Fannie Mae for retaining lawyers who run “foreclosure mills” that are being investigated for illegally foreclosing on… Continue reading Illegal Foreclosures Charged in Investigation