government: Mortgage Rates Hit An All Time Low: Again - 08/06/10 04:55 PM
In what has become an almost weekly occurrence mortgage rates hit new all time lows. The 30 year rate fell from 4.56 to 4.54 this week. Rates have either reached new lows or matched old lows for 5 consecutive weeks.

The 15 year also reached an all time low dropping from 4.03 to 4.00. It will be interesting to see if the 15 year fixed will fall below 4.0 in the next few weeks. The 5 year arm dropped from 3.79 to 3.76 just .01 points above the all time low. The 1 year arm dropped from 3.70 to … (4 comments)

government: Community Reinvestment Act - Impact to Housing Loans - 06/05/10 10:04 PM
Many of those in the media feel that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is the culprit for the recent real estate market bust. Politicians have even echoed this sentiment from the Congressional podium. What is the Community Reinvestment Act, though, and did it actually contribute to or cause the U.S. housing market demise?

First, it is good to understand the origination of the Act, the planned purpose of the Act and its intended benefits. The CRA followed three other enacted laws that addressed housing discrimination and equal opportunities for housing for all peoples; however, the CRA took it a step … (2 comments)

government: How Mortgage Loan Rates Are Determined - 01/31/10 06:06 PM
It is a common misperception by the general public that fixed rate mortgage interest is tied directly to Federal Reserve interest rate movement. On the contrary, the determinant is the performance of mortgage backed securities (MBS), most of which are issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

What does that mean in layman's terms? MBS are securities traded on the open stock market and are backed by assets, like real estate. When you obtain a home loan, it is typically sold, pooled into a group of home loans as a securities package called MBS to be sold as … (2 comments)

government: Unemployment Benefits Not Always Beneficial - 01/31/10 05:51 PM
What if the very programs that are supposed to help the unemployed are actually prolonging unemployment? Beyond the staggering cost to the government, there are other implications to extending unemployment benefits. Research strongly suggests that a long stretch of unemployment compensation actually prolongs the high unemployment rate. It is an unfortunate cycle that is likely to continue for awhile.

Unemployment compensation is the kind of governmental compassion that generally has support from both Democrats and Republicans, hence the recent bills that have passed through Congress to extend a variety of unemployment benefits. While it varies from state to state, typical … (2 comments)

government: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae - Who Are They? - 01/24/10 05:36 PM
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae are common names associated with federal lending and home loans. They have offerings that stem from no down payment home loans to helping dislocated residents of disaster areas, to providing assistance to the elderly. If you are any age and are considering a home loan, you're struggling with mortgage payments and need assistance, or you're elderly and cannot afford repairs on your home, one of these entities may be able to assist.


Who Are Fannie, Freddie and Ginnie?

The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), better known as Fannie Mae, and the … (2 comments)

government: First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended, Expanded and Broadened - 12/24/09 04:41 AM
On November 7, 2009, Congress enacted the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act (WHBAA) of 2009. This new act extended, expanded and broadened the benefits for the first-time homebuyer credit. The new deadline for reaping the benefits of this program is April 30, 2010. Changes to the program allow higher income limits and make certain existing homeowners eligible for the program. The new act enables many to participate who were previously disqualified.

The WHBAA extends the benefits of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, which is part of the Housing and Economic Act (HERA) enacted in 2008. The original version of … (1 comments)

government: Mortgages Rates Shoot Up - 12/24/09 04:32 AM
Mortgage rates shot up this week with the 30 year rate moving from 4.81 to 4.94. Rates also moved up substantially last week. So now in the last two weeks rates have moved from 4.71 to 4.94. This is highest the 30 year rate has been since November 5th. Although the other mortgage products have moved up in the last two weeks they have not risen as dramatically as the 30 year rate. Below are rates from the weeks from Nov 19, 2009 to Dec 17, 2009

Dec 17, 2009
30-fixed 4.94 15-fixed 4.38 5-yr ARM 4.37 1-yr … (0 comments)

government: Financial Regulation: What Went Wrong? - 12/05/09 06:30 PM
In 1803, Lazare Carnot began the the study of entropy in thermodynamics, suggesting that natural processes become disorganized over time, leading to waste and inefficiency. So too, in economics does this now taken-for-granted law seem to be in clear effect: recession's end has thus far led to little change in the regulatory structure of the Fed and other responsible bodies. The notable exception is the bill now before the House which aims to severely curtail the role of the Fed. Opinions on the extent and type of reform necessary are vehement and divisive. Suffice it to say that the US regulatory … (27 comments)

government: Mortgage Lenders Bailed Out By the U.S. Government - 11/27/09 10:10 PM
Beginning October 2008 through October 2009, the U.S. Treasury Department has been bailing out U.S. banks. In efforts to undergird the economy, and stabilize the struggling institutions, over $200 billion has been paid out to over 600 mortgage lenders through the Treasury's Capital Purchase Program.

Surprisingly, almost $71 billion has been paid back to the U.S. Treasury so far. That's almost 36 percent of $200 billion being paid back by 41 different banks. Interestingly to note, almost 7 percent of the banks who borrowed federal money owed 36 percent of the government's capital purchase.

Looking at the extensive list … (2 comments)

government: Mortgage Lenders under Government Scrutiny - 11/22/09 05:24 PM
Topping the list of institutions under fire are the familiar faces of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the poster children for good intentions gone bad. The government entities faced renewed federal scrutiny earlier this year. What to do with the troubled HUD groups, however, is still up in the air. The issue is delayed until after the current federal bank restructuring effort is completed, which is anticipated by year-end.

Reformation is definitely on the horizon for these two lenders. The Treasury Department is considering an expansion of options on guidelines officials released in June regarding both lenders. Privatization, nationalism, hybrid … (1 comments)

government: Federal Mortgage Home Loan Programs - 10/06/09 07:32 PM
In need of a loan to buy a house, make repairs on your home or buy a house and make repairs on a home? Are you thinking you might not qualify, though, so you've not started the process? You just might be surprised. The federal government currently has a variety of 18 federal mortgage assistance programs available to eligible homebuyers. Keep in mind, however, that most are for those who have very low- to middle-income and the home mortgaged must be your primary residence.

All available federal mortgage programs and are provided below. Detail for all programs may be accessed … (0 comments)

government: Mortgage Rates Continue to Fall - 10/06/09 06:18 PM
Mortgage Rates Fell yet again this week. The 30 year fell from 5.04 to 4.94. This marks the 5th week in a row where mortgage rates have either fallen or held steady. For the most part rates have been slowly falling. In fact this week accounts for half of the total fall in the last five weeks. So how does 4.94 look in a historical context. It is the lowest rate we have seen since May 28th. More importantly though it is lower than any rate we have seen prior to March 26, 2009 in the 40 years we have been … (0 comments)

government: Madoff's Mansions on the Market - 09/29/09 06:11 PM
Marshalls are preparing to put Madoff's mansions on the market, and victims of his ponzi scheme are hoping to cash in big time. Based on court records, the FBI is revving up to sell an estimated $30 million in real estate and property, all of which will go to his victims. The three homes on the way to market are a penthouse in Manhattan, a Montauk beach house on Long Island and a waterfront Palm Beach retreat.

Vacation real estate Madoff owned in Côte d'Azur that was seized by the feds back in March has since been sold. The chic … (3 comments)

government: How to Avoid Mortgage Fraud - 09/21/09 07:56 PM
News articles throughout the U.S. headline stories about indictments for mortgage fraud. Although you may think you could never be scammed, you should think again.

Above-average, intelligent, middle-class professionals have been duped as well as the average Joe. Almost no one is beyond the long arm of a mortgage scammer's reach. You can, however, become better educated in the antics of fraudsters in order to thwart the most common scams used.

Today, the most common mortgage scams played out in the media are perpetrated against those who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure and homeowners who … (1 comments)

government: Mortgage Rates Fall Again : Lowest Point Since May - 09/06/09 08:02 PM
Mortgage rates fell again this week reaching a 3 month low. The 30 year mortgage rate is now lower than it was 6 months ago. It's interesting to note that rates are lower than they were ago months ago. Six months ago the rates were more newsworthy because at the time they were all time lows. Since rates dropped in April today's rates are only at 3 month lows. The all time low of 4.78 was reached in April 2009.

The question remains though why rates are dropping. The expectation has been that rates are going to rise eventually. Yet … (2 comments)

government: The Truth Behind the Housing Numbers - 08/29/09 04:45 PM
The recent headlines have trumpeted a rebound in the American housing market. According to the Associated Press, July's 7.2 percent increase in home sales was the biggest month-to-month jump in the last ten years. But before breathing a sigh of relief and checking Zillow for increased home values, it might be a good idea to look at the story behind the new and improved numbers.

A big chunk of the recent increase is first-time home buyers taking advantage of the tax credit. One third of recent home sales are due to the $8000 incentive for first-time home buyers, which … (1 comments)

government: What U.S. Cities Are Doing to Promote New Construction - 08/24/09 07:19 PM
With real estate vacancies on the rise and new construction having taken a sharp downturn, many cities across the nation are coming up with some clever and creative methods to entice new building construction into their respective areas.

Although home sale numbers may be resurrecting in some cities, this is not the case for most. Not only are home sales down, but new home construction has hit rock bottom in many major cities.

Commercial vacancies are also steadily climbing, which have caused the lending industry to raise the bar in obtaining new construction loans. Builders are now struggling … (0 comments)

government: Federal Stimulus Funds to Buy and Fix Up Foreclosed Properties - 08/24/09 07:12 PM
State and local governments across the nation are gearing up to spend federal stimulus funds. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) birthed the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that provides federal stimulus dollars to assist neighborhoods hardest hit by the home foreclosure crisis. The NSP falls under the umbrella of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

HUD's intent for the NSP is to provide assistance to more than 500 communities, cities and counties across America in the form of rent relief, for homeless prevention and to assist low-income families to buy homes. Organizations that are eligible for … (0 comments)

government: Mortgage Rates and the Economy - 08/24/09 06:58 PM
Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point since May 28, 2009. Whether May 28, 2009 is the summer is open to some debate. The summer solstice usually is considered the technical beginning of summer which occurred on June 21st this year. Some consider Memorial Day the beginning of summer which was May 25th. Either way this is the lowest we have seen the 30 year mortgage rate in the last 3 months.

The question of course is why mortgage rates are falling. Generally once the economy starts improving interest rates should rise. I think what has happened … (0 comments)

government: Commercial Vacancies, the Next Real Estate Bubble to Burst - 08/13/09 08:51 PM
News headlines throughout major U.S. cities note record-high commercial vacancies, along with a decrease in the asking price for commercial rental space. As was predicted by several major real estate statisticians earlier this year, the next real estate bubble to burst is commercial properties.

Based on statistics compiled by Cushman & Wakefield (C&W), the commercial vacancy rate hasn't been this high since mid-2005. C&W, a global commercial real estate brokerage and consulting firm, found that vacancy rates increased in 24 of the 32 major markets they surveyed.

Colliers International, a global commercial real estate service provider, noted that rental … (15 comments)