Construction on new homes dives 16% in January
“WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Construction on new U.S. homes tumbled 16% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 880,000, with drops for single-family homes and apartments, according to government data released Wednesday.”
Raising minimum wage would ease poverty but cost some jobs
“Supporters of raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour say it will increase productivity, lower turnover and increase wages for 28 million workers.”
U.S. mortgage applications fall in latest week: MBA
“(Reuters) – Applications for U.S. home mortgages fell in the latest week, with both purchase and refinancing applications down, an industry group said on Wednesday.”
Mortgage bankers make some history
“Industry’s trade association has never had an Ohioan at the helm, but now two from the state will lead it in back-to-back years”
Make Multifamily the Starting Point for Housing Reform
“Reform of the secondary market for housing finance is a big topic now among think tanks, industry representatives and on Capitol Hill. Most of this discussion has centered on the single-family market, because that is the market that collapsed, helped to precipitate the Great Recession. This recession led to 4 million American families losing their homes, according to RealtyTrac data, and the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”
The hidden catch in the housing recovery
“This year started off with a slight plot twist. After mortgage rates rose most of 2013, 2014 began with a slight drop in rates, although they did not sink back to the levels seen at the beginning of 2013.”
Household Borrowing Rises Most in Six Years in NY Fed Report
“Consumer debt in the U.S. rose last quarter by the most in more than six years as Americans borrowed to buy homes and cars and to pay for education, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.”
Get Ready for a New Onslaught of HMDA Data
“That mammoth spreadsheet of mortgage data from thousands of lenders that you wrestle with every year may get considerably more inclusive.”
Mortgage servicers foreclosing on very different timelines
“A new white paper is highlighting the vast differences in foreclosure timelines at varying mortgage servicers.”
It’s California vs. the Nation in housing affordability
“Although America has 50 states, when you look at housing affordability you can more effectively split the U.S. as California versus everyone else.”
Negative builder news drags on HW 30 for second day
“Stocks were mixed Wednesday at midmorning with several construction and home builders suffering after a down report from the National Association of Home Builders and weak construction numbers for January.”
5 essential rules of real estate
“Spring signals the start of two hallowed seasons: homebuying and baseball.”
Crowdfunding Comes to Real Estate as Websites Seek Small Investors’ Cash
“MANHATTAN — A crop of new real estate startups is turning to crowdfunding as a way to get buildings off the ground.”
Real Estate Matters | How to save money and lower mortgage insurance
“I’m 28-years-old. My wife and I have owned our home for 2.5 years now. When we purchased it, I did not put down 20 percent, so I’m paying roughly $165 per month for mortgage insurance (PMI). If it helps, we do not plan on living in this house forever, but likely for the next five to 10 years. I have a low interest rate on our mortgage of 4.25 percent on a standard 30-year fixed FHA loan. I have a payment schedule set up with Wells Fargo for weekly mortgage payments, with an extra $30 per week to be applied to the principal.”
Real Estate Deals from Prison
“You can buy real estate while you are in prison…you just cannot live at your new property at that time.”
Loan Complaints by Homeowners Rise Once More
“A growing number of homeowners trying to avert foreclosure are confronting problems on a new front as the mortgage industry undergoes a seismic shift.”
Foreclosures, default notices tick up in SD
“Foreclosures and default notices in San Diego County edged up in January, but are still hovering around post Great Recession lows.”
Do banks sense a change in the California housing market? California foreclosure starts up 57 percent last month. Typical California foreclosure process lasts nearly one year and the misconception of middle class.
“It is common knowledge that banks have metered troubled real estate inventory out into the market in a slow drip fashion. This practice over the years has caused an artificially low supply to be present in the market. Add into the mix a low rate environment and years of investors buying up properties and you get our current stalemate of a market. Virtually no one in the press with a voice is even expressing a possibility that prices may sway lower. The only options making the rounds involve a couple of scenarios where prices will go up slowly in 2014 or prices will move sideways. No option for a decrease. This lack of perspective is odd given the resurgence of interest only loans and the fact that a well known bank is dipping back into the subprime market. One surprising statistic that I did see was the resurgence of foreclosure starts in California.”
Zillow Marks Upward Trend in Mortgage Rates
“Zilllow Mortgage Marketplace, a lending marketplace operated by the home listing website Zillow, announced new mortgage rates Tuesday. Currently, the mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 4.18 percent, according to the release.”