Buy-and-rent investors get squeezed
“It’s getting harder to make a bundle buying up foreclosures and renting them out.”
Silicon Valley investor: Split California into 6 states
“Is the most populous American state too big for its own good?”
Market Analysts Expect Slowdown in Housing Recovery in 2014
“The housing market recovery is entering a new phase, according to the analysts at Capital Economics. They say the rapid bounce in home prices seen this year, which was driven by investors and tight supply conditions, will soon start to moderate, and the next stage of the recovery will be characterized by strengthening activity among owner-occupants and mortgage-dependent buyers, as well as a much more moderate pace of house price inflation.”
GSEs Reach Foreclosure Prevention Milestone
“As the year closes, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is celebrating a critical milestone.”
U.S. Consumer Confidence Bounces Back
“Consumer confidence saw a boost in December on heightened optimism for the job market, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.”
McLean Mortgage Introduces RateFlex Program
“In Virginia, McLean Mortgage Corporation announced the release of its RateFlex Program, a new concept designed to aid homeowners and prospective homebuyers in today’s volatile interest rate environment.”
U.S. factory, jobs data show underlying strength in economy
“(Reuters) – U.S. factory activity held near a 2-1/2-year high in December and the number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell again last week, suggesting the economy was poised for stronger growth in 2014.”
MBA Economic/Mortgage Finance Commentary: Fed Begins Taper; Weakness Persists in Housing
“Recent macroeconomic data paint a picture of a strengthening economy, strong enough that the Federal Reserve is willing to begin to ease its foot off of the gas pedal. However, recent housing market data is not nearly as strong; particularly purchase mortgage application volume which is running 10 percent behind last year’s pace.”
Adjustable-rate mortgages regain popularity as prices, rates rise
“When Michael Shuken recently bought his family’s first home, a four-bedroom in Mar Vista, his adjustable-rate mortgage helped them stay on the pricey Westside.”
Mortgage tax break expires despite bipartisan support in Congress
“WASHINGTON — A 6-year-old tax break for struggling homeowners who won reductions in their mortgages has expired, alarming housing advocates and lawmakers who said it still was needed despite the real estate market rebound.”