Posts Tagged ‘mortgage’

Fix the housing crisis – eliminate interest

Posted on January 17th, 2010, by DHW

A great post by seekingalpha.com
History can give us guidance in fixing our real estate crisis.
“Faced with his own foreclosure-nightmare, Julius Caesar came up with a decisive and practical means to cure the solvency crisis which was at the heart of that real estate meltdown. Caesar decreed…that all mortgage interest would be canceled. Thus, all mortgage payments [...]

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Chinese drywall suit sees day in Federal court

Posted on January 6th, 2010, by DHW

If you have Chinese drywall and an FHA-insured mortgage, contact HUD at 888-297-8685 regarding special mortgage terms.
From The Miami Herald, Shannon Behnken:
“HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Jan. 5, 2010 – After months of legal wrangling, it appears one of the first lawsuits filed over faulty Chinese drywall is headed to trial in federal court.
Melissa and Jason Harrell [...]

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Modification worse than foreclosure on credit. Say what?

Posted on January 5th, 2010, by DHW

While keeping your home certainly trumps living on the street with a higher credit score, a loan modification can knock as much as 105 more points off your credit score than a foreclsoure.
According to a published article in the Detroit Free Press, a “loan modification to get a lower mortgage payment and stay in your [...]

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Stevens: FHA sublime, not subprime

Posted on November 16th, 2009, by DHW

During a speech to the National Association of Realtors in San Diego, FHA Commissioner David Stevens said his agency is not headed for the same fate as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the subprime sector. Concerns about the FHA’s financial well being were raised last week when it was revealed in an independent audit that [...]

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Commercial loan activity down 54%

Posted on November 14th, 2009, by DHW

Recovery of the commercial real estate market remains in question as the Moody’s commercial property index dropped 3 percent in October. The index is down over 32 percent from a year ago and over 40 percent from two years ago.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported loan activity for commercial and multifamily real estate fell 54 percent in [...]

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Audit: FHA’s reserve funds way below what law requires

Posted on November 12th, 2009, by DHW

From The Washington Post : ‘FHA’s cash reserves have dropped well below amount required by law, audit shows’
DHW asks: Do you think the FHA’s reserves will hit zero?
FHA loan limits in your area
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Foreclosures down but not out

Posted on November 12th, 2009, by DHW

U.S. foreclosures sank for a third consecutive month in October, down 3% from the previous month. However, many feel this trend will not continue. Foreclosure notices were curtailed in many states due to temporary, legislative intervention. CNBC reported Nevada foreclosures “dropped 26 percent from the previous month because of new legislation requiring mediation before initiating [...]

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Realogy CEO just doesn’t get it.

Posted on November 11th, 2009, by DHW

In a CNBC interview this morning, Realogy CEO, Richard Smith, called on FHA to increase its minimum required down payment of 3.5%. Mr Smith suggested the ‘risk profile’ will have to change to stave off foreclosures. This argument only perpetuates the myth that those who put less money down are somehow less attached to their [...]

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FHA loosens condo project guidelines

Posted on November 11th, 2009, by DHW

The Miami Herald reported the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is temporarily relaxing underwriting guidelines for some condominium communities. The changes are intended to increase condo sales and put occupants in otherwise vacant units. 
DHW asks: Do you agree with the FHA’s decision to relax condo underwriting guidelines?
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Critics be damned. Home sales up, prices down

Posted on November 10th, 2009, by DHW

Critics of the Housing Tax Credit were quieted, if only briefly, when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released data for third quarter home sales. According to the trade group, home sales increased by nearly 6% over this same time last year. Despite the spike in sales, prices have fallen more than 11% during the [...]

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