Real Estate News 1.24.2014

7 setbacks for the middle class
“Five years into his presidency, Barack Obama is still falling short of his number one goal: to fix the economy for the middle class.”

Will Obama push housing reform in SOTU? — Not expected this year, but momentum matters — Lew live from Davos
“WILL OBAMA PUSH HOUSING REFORM IN SOTU? — POLITICO’s Jon Prior and Kate Davidson preview the big speech next week: “President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday and in the world of finance there is one question that keeps popping up: Will he mention Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? In August the president laid out his case for getting rid of the taxpayer-owned mortgage giants and putting in place a new housing finance system. But the administration has mostly been quiet since. Obama could change that by calling for an overhaul of the mortgage market Tuesday night.”

Lenders vocal about negative impacts of Dodd Frank mortgage rule
“Daniel Weickenand, CEO of Memphis-based Orion Federal Credit Union, has testified on behalf of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions that federal mortgage rules that went into affect Jan. 10 could hurt consumers’ ability to access credit and ‘hamper the ability of credit unions to meet their members’ needs.'”

Leading Indicators Rose in December as U.S. Economy Improved
“The index of U.S. leading indicators rose in December, a sign the world’s largest economy is poised to keep expanding in 2014.”

FHFA: Home Price Appreciation Almost Flat In November
“More evidence that home price appreciation is stabilizing: U.S. home prices increased only 0.1% in November, on an adjusted basis, compared to October, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) monthly House Price Index (HPI).”

Rent-to-Own: New Mortgage Rules Can Make This More Appealing
“New mortgage underwriting criteria went into effect Jan. 10 requiring a debt-to-income ratio of less than 43 percent for most qualified mortgages. Even if you don’t qualify for a mortgage under the current lending regulations, renting may not be your only option. Alternatives such as rent-to-own and contract-for-deed transactions make homeownership possible for those who may not meet mortgage-underwriting standards.”

Are rental bonds driving up the rent?
“Bonds backed by rental payments may be gaining investor attention, but they’ve also caught the eyes of a few critics along the way.”

Builders unscathed by rising loan limits
“Despite the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reducing the maximum loan limits for mortgages written in certain parts of the country, the adjustment has had little real impact on home builders.”

Taking smaller bites, Freddie Mac pursues FHFA mandate
“Freddie Mac released its monthly-volume summary report Friday, and it shows the aggregrate unpaid principal balance of the GSE’s mortgage-related investments portfolio declining by $5.7 billion in December.”

ABS Vegas: Love or hate REO-to-Rental in 2014
“The REO-to-Rental model is the newest asset to gain investors’ attention, but what does the future look like for these particular deals?”

Buying a Home? Bring a Suitcase Full of Cash: Ritholtz Chart
“The chart above comes form the RealtyTrac Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report. It should come as no surprise that as rates rise, so too do all-cash purchases.”

Gundlach Counting Rotting Homes Makes Subprime Bear
“For Jeffrey Gundlach, the U.S. housing recovery isn’t so rosy.”

Stable real estate prices hide big changes in many city neighborhoods
“It felt like 2013 was a crazy year for real estate, with the flood of all-cash buyers, Billionaire’s Row on 57th St., shrinking inventory and skyrocketing prices.”

Real Estate Gobbled Up By Investors Worries Inland Empire Congressman
“A congressman who represents several Riverside County communities wants officials to look into whether the rise of investor owned properties in the area is creating an ‘unsustainable bubble that will wreak havoc when it bursts.'”

Born here? You’ve already struck it rich
“The American dream of climbing the income ladder is alive and well, according to new research on income disparity. But a lot these days depends on where you grow up.”

Decline in Foreclosures Outpaces Decline in Loan Modifications
“An estimated 44,000 homeowners received permanent loan modifications from mortgage servicers during the month of November under both proprietary servicer programs and the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), HOPE NOW reports. While that total represents a 12 percent decrease from the 50,000 loan mods completed in October, the most recent data show a steeper 20 percent decline in foreclosure sales and a 17 percent decline in foreclosure starts between October and November.”

Economists Outline What to Watch for in the Real Estate Market of 2014
“Experts at Freddie Mac and Equifax expect falling unemployment and economic growth to keep the housing market steady in 2014. This, despite climbing interest rates and anticipated growth in housing prices nationwide.”

Despite Fewer Foreclosure Starts, Distressed Sales Rose in 2013
‘Despite declining foreclosure starts over the year, distressed sales made up a higher percentage of overall home sales in 2013 than they did the previous year, according to the U.S. Residential & Foreclosure Sales Report released Thursday by RealtyTrac. The report also revealed an uptick in cash purchases at the close of the year.”

Recovery Expected to Enter ‘Middle Innings’ in 2014
“While the housing market is still far from “normal,” it is inching that way, according to a report released Thursday from Zillow. Last year’s skyrocketing home price appreciation, frenzied demand from investors, and high tide of negative equity are all expected to subside somewhat this year, according to the real estate company.”

Freddie Mac Issues Monthly Volume Summary for December 2013
“MCLEAN, VA–(Marketwired – Jan 24, 2014) – Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today issued the company’s Monthly Volume Summary for December 2013.”

Today’s Real Estate News 10.30.2013

Summary:

In today’s news, CNN Money reports private sector hiring lowest in 6 months. Reuters shares Janet Yellen, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, was concerned over the housing bust but chose not to go public. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, stated Yellen’s confirmation for head of the Federal Reserve should go smooth. Freddie Mac claims to have securitized $1 Billion of HAMP Performing Mortgage Loans. DS News reports serious delinquencies hit a five-year milestone. The MBAA reports an increase of mortgage applications this week. Since 2010, “foreclosure rescue schemes” have more than doubled according to the Housing Wire. Housing Wire also reported more uncertainty among mortgage servicers, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency called for banks to practice effective risk management whether the banks chose to do it themselves or seek outside assistance and banks & business trade groups called for more “checks and balances” for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Wells Fargo plans to donate $6 Million to 67 different nonprofits for the “2013 Leading the Way Home Program Priority Markets Initiative” which will help to revive heavily distressed neighborhoods. Multi-family loan provider, Greystone, introduces an affordable multi-family loan program. San Diego’s local newspaper shares La Jolla resident sentenced to five years in prison and fined $1.4 million in restitution for deceiving homeowners around the nation he could help modify their home loans. MSN shares a story of an oddly small & narrow house built on a lot out of spite, you have to see the pictures to appreciate this story!

Private sector hiring slowest in 6 months

“Private sector employers added just 130,000 jobs in October — their lowest level of job growth since April, according to a report by payroll processor ADP. The pace of hiring has been slowing since June, but the government shutdown earlier this month appears to be a main reason for the sluggish hiring in October.”

INSIGHT-Yellen feared housing bust but did not raise public alarm

“Oct 30 (Reuters) – When Janet Yellen became president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in June 2004, a massive real estate bubble was building in the vast nine-state area that it oversees.”

Reid expects Yellen to be ‘easily’ confirmed as Fed chair

“Oct 29 (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama’s nomination of Janet Yellen to head the Federal Reserve appears headed toward a smooth confirmation by the Democratic-led Senate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Tuesday.”

Freddie Mac Securitizes $1 Billion of HAMP Performing Mortgage Loans

“MCLEAN, VA–(Marketwired – Oct 30, 2013) – Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) announced today that it has begun securitizing performing Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) modified mortgage loans held in the company’s mortgage-related investments portfolio. These loans were modified to assist borrowers who were at risk of foreclosure, thereby assisting them with keeping their homes. Since the US Treasury launched the program in March 2009, 229,000 borrowers have received permanent HAMP modifications on Freddie Mac-owned loans.”

Serious Delinquencies Hit Five-Year Milestone

“Mortgage delinquencies are on the decline, according to a report from Equifax. Home finance write-offs so far this year total $96.3 billion, down 22 percent compared to the same time period last year, the company says.”

Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

“WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 30, 2013) — Mortgage applications increased 6.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 25, 2013.”

Foreclosure rescue scheme complaints more than doubled

“Foreclosure rescue schemes have more than doubled since 2010, according to data collected by federal regulatory agencies.”

Uncertainty about the future plagues servicers

“Mortgage servicers flourished during the financial crisis and have exponentially grown their businesses, largely through acquisitions of credit-impaired residential mortgage servicing portfolios. But all of this is about to change, according to a recent report from Moody’s Investors Corp. (MCO).”

OCC sounds alarm on risk management of third parties

“Banks need to practice effective risk management regardless of whether the bank performs the activity internally or through a third party, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said Wednesday.”

Banks, business trade groups push for CFPB reform

“The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lacks the check and balances, the financial accountability and the transparency that is generally found at other financial regulators operating out of Washington D.C., experts told the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday.”

Wells Fargo donates $6 million to revitalize communities

“Wells Fargo (WFC) will donate $6 million across 67 nonprofits through the 2013 Leading the Way Home Program Priority Markets Initiative to help revitalize and stabilize neighborhoods.”

Greystone premieres affordable loan program

“Greystone, a provider of multifamily loans, premiered its Greystone Affordable Loan Program, which provides long-term, fixed, forward rate-lock financing for affordable multifamily housing.”

La Jolla man popped for sham loan mods

“A La Jolla man has been sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution for defrauding homeowners around the country who had turned to his sham company for help modifying their loans.”

This weird, tiny house in Seattle was built out of spite, locals say

“A house this small and strange-looking would be interesting on its own, but local legend says the reason it exists is pure spite. Known as the Montlake Spite House, this pie-shaped Seattle house is only 830 square feet and was recently for sale for $397,500. Why would anybody build a house like this? The widely accepted story is that a neighbor offered to buy the small corner lot from the property owner. The lowball offer he made was so insulting that the owner built this house on the lot just to annoy his cheap neighbor. Is that what actually happened? There’s some debate there, but why let that get in the way of a good story?”

Today’s Real Estate News 10.16.2013

Summary:
CNN Money reports Bank of America posts a profit in the 3rd quarter, relieving investors after breaking even last year. Housing Wire shares that Fannie Mae is working on a risk-sharing transaction for next year, FHFA refinance activity slows, mortgage applications barely changed this week, National Mortgage Settlement is closer to meeting consumer-relief mandates and 67,000 home loan modifications have been finalized in August. Bloomberg states that U.S. Bancorp’s profit was little changed on lower bad loan provisions and homebuilder confidence has dropped more than it has in the past four months. Market Watch reports a 12% profit growth for PNC Financial. NY Times posts a profit for Blackrock. Reuters shares mortgage insurer MGIC profit.  CNBC reports that Fitch Ratings put the government’s “AAA credit rating on ‘rating watch negative.’” Dr. Housing Bubble shares a wealth of data in his blog post titled “The inefficient and fragile housing market: How trying to increase homeownership can backfire and add costs to regular home buyers.”

Bank of America swings to a profit
“Bank of America swung to a profit in the third quarter after breaking even last year. And investors breathed a sigh of relief.”

Fannie Mae plans next risk-sharing deal
“Mortgage giant Fannie Mae is working on another risk-sharing transaction for 2014, keeping in line with the firm’s plan to bring private capital back to the mortgage market.”

FHFA refinance activity declines
“Refinance volumes continued to decline in August as mortgage rates inched up from July levels.”

National Mortgage Settlement progress report: Big banks closer to finalizing consumer relief
“The mega lenders subjected to the National Mortgage Settlement are closer to meeting the consumer-relief mandates rolled out as part of a nationwide initiative to compensate borrowers for past servicing issues.”

67,000 home loan mods finalized in August
“Mortgage servicers modified 67,000 home loans in August, up 8% month-over-month, bringing the total amount of loans modified since 2007 to 5.4 million, Hope Now said Wednesday.”

U.S. Bancorp Profit Little Changed on Lower Bad Loan Provisions
“U.S. Bancorp, the nation’s biggest regional lender, said third-quarter net income was little changed as revenue fell and the bank set aside less for bad loans.”

PNC Financial’s profit up 12% on loan growth
“PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s PNC +1.74% third-quarter earnings rose 12% as the regional lender’s results were helped by loan growth and improved credit quality, though net interest margin, a key measure of lending profitability slipped.”

BlackRock’s Profit Rose 14% in Third Quarter
“The giant money management firm BlackRock is now managing a record $4 trillion after customers put more money into its stock mutual funds and exchange traded funds.”

UPDATE 1-Mortgage insurer MGIC posts profit as housing market recovers
“Oct 16 (Reuters) – Mortgage insurer MGIC Investment Corp posted its second straight quarterly profit, after six years of losses, as a recovery in the U.S. housing market lowered the number of defaulters.”

Mortgage applications barely shift
“Mortgage applications barely changed during the week ending Oct. 11, rising only 0.3% from a week earlier, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday.”

Fitch puts US AAA rating on rating watch negative
“Fitch Ratings put the US government’s “AAA” credit rating on ‘rating watch negative’ Tuesday, saying that the standstill on the U.S. debt ceiling negotiations risks undermining the effectiveness of the country’s government and political institutions.”

The inefficient and fragile housing market: How trying to increase homeownership can backfire and add costs to regular home buyers.
“It was interesting to see that this week, the Nobel Prize, the biggest prize in economics went to three US economists, one being “irrational exuberance” Robert Shiller.  Markets for the most part are presumed to be efficient and what Shiller points out is the weaknesses inherent with this model.  The housing market is a perfect example.  The market is extremely inefficient when it comes to housing.  We massively subsidize this sector of the economy with the outward notion of helping regular buyers but do the opposite.  For example, the Fed’s QE initiatives have caused asymmetrical bets from financial institutions into residential real estate.  Largely because of this financial structure we went from a real estate market in free fall to one highly subsidized by low rates causing investors to crowd out regular buyers.  Prices now surge while the homeownership rate falls.  Of course how can the market be called efficient when the Fed provides this below market interest rate to a select group of people?  Is the public privy to this?  What use is a low rate when a bigger player comes in with all cash?”

Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Declines to Lowest in Four Months
“Confidence among U.S. homebuilders fell more than forecast in October to a four-month low as rising interest rates and the budget battle in Washington stifled progress in the housing market.”