By Mike Colpitts Like a solider standing alone in the battle field, the Obama administration’s housing finance reform proposal offers the U.S. a way of riding itself of the most troubled mortgage giants, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the real estate collapse. But it stops short of offering any concrete long term solutions with… Continue reading Housing Plan Missing in Action
Cash Buyers are King
By Mike Colpitts Pent up buyer demand and much lower housing prices are driving a frenzy of sorts in some home markets as cash buyers turn out in droves to buy up properties on the cheap. Cash is once again king in the real estate market. When markets take a downturn cash buyers snap up… Continue reading Cash Buyers are King
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Reduced in Housing Plan
By Mike Colpitts The role of the nation’s two mortgage giants, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will be reduced under the long awaited housing finance reform plan proposed by the Obama administration. The proposal will also slash the amount of government-backed mortgages that are guaranteed and is intended to more widely open the market to… Continue reading Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Reduced in Housing Plan
Freddie Mac Says Mortgage Rates Surge
By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates surged to the highest level in more than a year this week as banks and mortgage companies adjusted the cost of loans because of higher rates in the bond market. The rate on a conventional 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose to 5.05% with an average 0.7 point paid at closing,… Continue reading Freddie Mac Says Mortgage Rates Surge
Foreclosures Decline with Robo-Signing Troubles
By Mike Colpitts Foreclosures rose by only a slim margin in January, but declined 17% over year ago figures as banks and mortgage servicing companies temporarily halted foreclosures in 26 states in the robo-signing scandal, according to RealtyTrac. Foreclosure filings were posted against 261,333 residential properties during the month, a slim 1% increase over December.… Continue reading Foreclosures Decline with Robo-Signing Troubles
Huge Mortgage Rates Jump
By Kevin Chiu Mortgage rates jumped higher to the highest level in ten months as applications for home mortgages tumbled, demonstrating further weakness in the housing market as many home buyers remained on the sidelines, according to the Mortgage Bankers weekly survey. The rate on a fully executed 30-year fixed rate mortgage increased to 5.13%,… Continue reading Huge Mortgage Rates Jump
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
Revolt Grows as More Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages
By Mike Colpitts Millions of homeowners are living in their homes without paying mortgages as more mortgage holders revolt against banks and mortgage servicing companies in America’s growing foreclosure crisis. Some mortgage borrowers are trying to work with banks and mortgage companies. Others have tired over the hassles it takes to work with lenders to… Continue reading Revolt Grows as More Homeowners Stop Paying Mortgages
Where to Invest in Real Estate
By Kim Olson With the economy slowly recovering and the housing market still soft it’s a prime time to buy real estate to invest in if you’re looking to get into the market. It might surprise you to know that some of the hottest places in the country to historically buy real estate are now… Continue reading Where to Invest in Real Estate
Americans Divided Over Halting Foreclosures
By Kevin Chiu Despite the enormous financial damage it would do to the U.S. economy, Americans are divided over whether the record flood of foreclosures should be halted. That’s the stunning conclusion derived from the latest Housing Predictor poll. With foreclosures at all-time record levels, a divide has grown over the foreclosure crisis like perhaps… Continue reading Americans Divided Over Halting Foreclosures