U.S Home Sales at Record Low
- By:
- MortgageLoan.com | July 25, 2008
The housing crisis shows no signs of abating as figures revealed on Thursday from an industry group show that the number of homes sold in the U.S fell by 2.6 percent in June compared over the same period last year to reach its lowest level in ten years.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said that the existing home sales rate which include co-ops, single family and town houses are down 15.5 percent from 5.75 million units sold in June 2007.
Reacting to the figures, NAR President, Richard Gaylord said, "A recent online survey of Realtors (R) shows nearly a quarter of potential home buyers are waiting on the sidelines. However timing the market can be very tricky, which is why home buyers should always have a long-term view to build wealth."
Lenders have tightened their standards on home loans, contributing to the credit crunch that is restraining the US economy.
The figures also show that the national median existing home price for all housing types was $215,100 in June, down 6.1 percent from a year ago when the median price was $229,000.
Bankruptcy Reform Back on the Table
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 21, 2008
One of the earliest ideas for helping homeowners facing mounting mortgage debt and potential foreclosure on their home was to reform bankruptcy laws. The concept is now officially back on the table, introduced into the Congressional lame-duck session by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL).
TARP is Closed for Relief Until Further Notice
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 20, 2008
Remember what a crisis the $700 billion mortgage market bailout was--the very existence of the American financial order hung in the balance.
Fixing the Housing Market, Lots of Ideas...Any Answers?
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 19, 2008
Almost a year into the dawning of the housing crisis (many chronologist are setting that around the January 2008 crumbling of Countrywide) ideas continue to flow, but few seem to be the answer. In fact, this seems to be the growing consensus--there is no silver bullet.
G-20 Lots of Motion, Will There Be Action?
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 18, 2008
The 20 most powerful industrial nations, and now the caretakers of an unprecedented global financial crisis, assembled in Washington DC over the weekend. Their mandate was broad and daunting--stabilize world markets.
FDIC Challenges Treasury with New Loan Modification Proposal
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 17, 2008
On the heels of the Treasury and Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) loan modification plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FDIC releases their own proposal. In this unprecedented, unilateral, and aggressive move by a Federal agency the FDIC is essential fighting a very public political battle directly with the Treasury and the current Administration.
Mortgage Rates Drop for Second Straight Week
- By:
- Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | November 14, 2008
Another week of dismal economic data have again pushed down mortgage rates. Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.14 percent, down from 6.20 percent last week. This demonstrates a steep decline from 6.46 percent two weeks prior.