Effort to Increase Mortgage Lending Launched

By Mike Colpitts A new product designed to increase mortgage lending and aid bankers in their risk taking decisions is being launched by real estate research firm CoreLogic in conjunction with FICO. The credit scoring product evaluates traditional credit data from consumer credit files and adds a new series of dimensions to more accurately reflect… Continue reading Effort to Increase Mortgage Lending Launched

US Treasuries Send Mortgage Rates Lower

By Mike Colpitts All-time record low mortgage rates have become old news lately, but rates on conventional mortgages and most adjustable loans hit new record territory again this week as U.S. Treasuries fell. The 30-year fixed rate home loan reached an average of 3.56%, down from 3.62% just a week ago. The 15-year fixed rate… Continue reading US Treasuries Send Mortgage Rates Lower

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

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

5 Best Beach Vacation Home Bargain Cities

The surf meets the sand in the heat of summer. Whether this is the year to buy that beach vacation home or not is another thing. If you’reconsidering the plunge, these are the best 5 beach home bargain cities to buy a foreclosure home or condo. Foreclosure News Report ranked U.S. metro areas across the… Continue reading 5 Best Beach Vacation Home Bargain Cities

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

Foreign Real Estate Buyers Drive Recovery

By Mike Colpitts Cash flush foreign real estate buyers are driving the U.S. housing market into a recovery, producing $82.5 billion in sales in the last year alone. International residential sales are gaining momentum and are divided between recent U.S. immigrants and non-resident foreigners who are buying a piece of America at deep discounts. Low… Continue reading Foreign Real Estate Buyers Drive Recovery

Home Loans Fall, Despite Record Low Rates

Mortgage applications fell for the third consecutive week, but loans for home purchases increased, indicating pent up demand is starting to show as borrowers sign-up for record low mortgage rates in the midst of the busy summer home buying season. Mortgages for home purchases rose 3%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association survey. Refinances, however,… Continue reading Home Loans Fall, Despite Record Low Rates

Foreclosure Filings Top 1-Million

By Ryan Jackson More than 1-million U.S. homes had foreclosure filings of some sort filed against them in the first half of the year ( 1,045,801), according to RealtyTrac. First half foreclosure activity increased in 20 states from a year ago, including hard hit Florida, California, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and upscale Connecticut. Final foreclosure… Continue reading Foreclosure Filings Top 1-Million