Author Archive
5 tips to ensure your short sale succeeds
Posted by: | CommentsShort sales have become the only way out for some sellers who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth. For struggling borrowers, it’s a chance to avoid foreclosure.
While helpful, short sales can be stressful and time-consuming, and they may lead to harsh consequences if not done Read More→
14 tips for investing in rental properties
Posted by: | CommentsThe media and real estate professionals continually report that 2012 is the year to buy real estate. Since home values have dropped considerably, the U.S. median list price has dropped considerably, too. Couple values and list prices with interest rates that are the lowest they’ve ever been and it’s Read More→
We Stand At The Doorstep Of A Foreclosed House. Then We Go In
Posted by: | CommentsIn Florida, the foreclosure process takes 861 days, on average.
That means houses often sit in limbo for more than two years after the owner stops paying the mortgage. Maybe the homeowner is still living in the house. Maybe he’s renting it out. Maybe squatters are living there, or maybe Read More→
California Home Prices Rise for First Time in 16 Months
Posted by: | CommentsCalifornia home prices rose 1.6 percent in March, the first year-over-year increase in 16 months, helped by demand for houses in the San Francisco area, the California Association of Realtors said today.
The statewide median price for an existing single-family detached home jumped to $291,080, the Los Angeles-based group said Read More→
Lowest Mortgage Rates Since Late February
Posted by: | CommentsAfter closing out the previous week with slight gains Mortgages Rates have done the same to begin the current week. On average, this brings rates to their best levels since late February, however, rates were in similar territory on Tuesday 4/10. The late February levels in question contained all Read More→
Buyers: Is that swimming pool legal?
Posted by: | CommentsDEAR BARRY: Two years ago, we bought a home with a backyard pool. Then, a few months ago, the county posted a violation notice on our front door for an expired pool permit.
The previous homeowner, who was also the contractor for the pool, pulled the pool permit, completed the Read More→
CFPB Files Amicus for Borrowers’ Right to Cancel Certain Loans
Posted by: | Comments
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau(CFPB) filed an amicus brief on behalf of borrowers for their rights to cancel home equity-loans or second mortgages if they did not receive important disclosures required by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).
The amicus brief – or “friend of the court” – was Read More→
Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing
Posted by: | CommentsIn addition to tangible financial benefits, research has shown that homeownership brings substantial social benefits for families, communities, and the country as a whole. Because of these societal benefits, policy makers have promoted homeownership through a number of channels. Homeownership has been an essential element of the American Dream for decades and continues to be so even today. Read More→
Homeowners Discouraged by Short Sales; Investors Picking up Slack
Posted by: | CommentsWhile homebuyers are pursuing short sales with less enthusiasm because of the lengthy and unpredictable process, investors are finding them a new target of opportunity. Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey found that investors continued to boost their activity in the housing market during February and accounted for 24.2 of all housing transactions and 30.6 percent of short sales. Read More→
ABA Breaks Down Mortgage Lending in 2011
Posted by: | CommentsThe American Banking Association (ABA) has found that real estate lending conditions at the end of 2011 were little changed from those at the end of 2010 despite increasing regulations, compliance costs and a lack of clarity about rules. ABA reported the results of its 19th annual Real Estate Lending Survey on Tuesday. Read More→
