By Kevin Chiu Legal paperwork determines the ownership of real estate. If those documents are not passed along to a new owner of a mortgage, investors or banks holding a loan on the property have no legal right to it. Up to a third of all mortgage “notes” or $3.7-trillion in U.S. mortgages are likely… Continue reading A Third of Mortgages Missing
Seismic Shift in U.S. Restrains Housing Market
By Kevin Chiu Consumer doubts over the banking system, political divisions in Washington, D.C., nagging high unemployment, a growth in the understanding among the U.S. population of political corruption and doubts about the economy are developing a seismic shift in the housing market. The shift has slowly been taking place for more than ten years,… Continue reading Seismic Shift in U.S. Restrains Housing Market
Overwhelming Majority Favor Homeownership
By Mike Colpitts An overwhelming majority favor homeownership over renting despite the housing downturn, according to a new study. The results were found as part of a Fannie Mae survey that asked a variety of questions revolving homeownership and the economy. An astonishing 85% of respondants said they favor homeownership over renting based on the… Continue reading Overwhelming Majority Favor Homeownership
Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop
By Ryan Jackson A drop in mortgage rates did little to slow another decline in mortgage applications for the second straight week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Home loan applications fell as interest borrowing rates on the 30-year fixed rate mortgage decreased to an average of 3.80% on fully executed mortgages. The drop in… Continue reading Mortgages Slow Despite Rate Drop
Foreclosures Sell 32% Under Rest of Market
By Mike Colpitts Foreclosures or bank owned homes sold at an average discount of 32% below similar homes in the same neighborhood during the second quarter of the year, according to RealtyTrac. The price was two percent lower than a year ago. Foreclosure sales accounted for 23% of all U.S. residential sales during the second… Continue reading Foreclosures Sell 32% Under Rest of Market
Pushed by Treasuries, Mortgage Rates Jump
By Mike Colpitts Pushed by higher yields paid for U.S. Treasuries, mortgage rates jumped for the fourth straight week as mixed economic news sent investors scurrying to the bond market for more secure investments. The rate on the fixed 30-year mortgage rose four basis points to average 3.66% from 3.62% a week ago. The Freddie… Continue reading Pushed by Treasuries, Mortgage Rates Jump
Mortgage Delinquencies Drop Two Straight Months
By Mike Colpitts Mortgage delinquencies fell for the second consecutive month in July and are down 11% for the last year, signaling a major improvement for the U.S. housing market, according to Lender Processing Services. Loans that are 30 days or more past due made up just 7.03% of home mortgages. The decline in late… Continue reading Mortgage Delinquencies Drop Two Straight Months
Mortgage Rates Surge 2 Straight Weeks
By Mike Colpitts The lowest mortgage rates in history are behind us, at least for the time being. Rates surged higher for the second week in a row as U.S. Treasuries jumped over hopes the Eurozone will reach an agreement on a bail-out. The 30-year fixed rate loan jumped to average 3.59%, a four basis… Continue reading Mortgage Rates Surge 2 Straight Weeks
Trio Pays $5.3-Million in Refinancing Scam
By Ryan Jackson A mortgage broker and two owners of three nursing homes have agreed to pay $5.325-million to resolve allegations in a mortgage refinancing scam to the federal government. In exchange for the financial penalty, federal prosecutors will not pursue criminal charges against the trio. The settlement is part of the federal government’s crackdown… Continue reading Trio Pays $5.3-Million in Refinancing Scam
Extra U.S. Tax on Homes Likely
By Mike Colpitts A U.S. tax on the sale of high end homes is likely to go into effect at the beginning of 2013 unless lawmakers do the unlikely and approve new federal tax guidelines. Bush era capital gains tax cuts expire in January, raising the long term rate on profits made from real estate… Continue reading Extra U.S. Tax on Homes Likely