Con artists leeching off new, improved federal mortgage and foreclosure...
It’s not just the National Mortgage Settlement’s promise of restitution for those abused by foreclosure tactics that’s drawing swindlers out of the woodwork. Double-dealers trying to hustle already...
View ArticleInfographic: When is foreclosure right for you?
Only bankruptcy is more damaging to your credit than a foreclosure. Nevertheless, there are times when a foreclosure can make sense to your household’s bottom line. First, be aware: • Even if you...
View ArticleDon’t fall prey to short sale fraud
Lenders and banking regulators are aware of growing incidents of short sale fraud and not only must the parties sign the contract which forbids back room deals, but lenders audit the transaction.
View ArticleCalifornia’s tight housing inventory, slower economy constrain pending home...
June marked the fourteenth consecutive month that pending California home sales were higher than the previous year, although June’s year-over-year increase was the smallest since April 2011.
View ArticleNew HUD document mother-of-all mortgage relief program brochures
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Mortgage Settlement (NMS) outreach campaign is virtually a one-stop shopping center for anyone struggling with their mortgage....
View ArticleInfographic: Silicon Valley’s REO, short sale bargains comprise 26 percent of...
REOs and short sales comprised 26 percent of all sales in the Silicon Valley housing market. Here's a look at the discounts and the best cities to land the deals.
View ArticleFHFA’s HAFA II offers more short sale relief for more homeowners
Enhanced short sale guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans will enable more struggling homeowners to short sell their home faster and avoid foreclosure. The new rules include short sales for...
View ArticleCongress to consider extending Mortgage Debt Relief Act, renewing mortgage...
Congress is about to consider extending the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act before it expires this year and when it does it will also consider retroactively renewing the mortgage insurance tax...
View ArticleSilicon Valley rolling out larger short sale bargains, inventories
In San Jose, which accounts for more than half Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley) sales, the median single-family home price, for all single-family sales, was up 17.5 percent to $575,000, the median...
View ArticleHigher California home prices stem foreclosure tide; San Francisco, San...
Three and a half years after peaking, the number of California homes going into foreclosure fell last quarter to the lowest level since early in the housing bust, due in large part to a stronger...
View ArticleCalifornia short sale shortcomings decline, problems persist
California's real estate agents say lenders are making some progress in processing short sales, but short sale problems persist for homeowners selling short to avoid foreclosure. A short sale occurs...
View ArticleNational Mortgage Settlement oversight office publishes updated settlement...
"Continued Progress: A Report from the Monitor of the National Mortgage Settlement," says banks disclosed that they have extended more than $26.11 billion in relief to more than 300,000 borrowers,...
View ArticleHomeownership after a short sale, foreclosure, bankruptcy
After losing your home to a short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy hope isn't lost. It'll take time, but you can buy a home again. How soon depends upon how you lost your home and the mortgage needed to...
View ArticleHome price increases mask true, smaller home value increases
Today's home price increases may be well off real home value increases in some metropolitan areas. In other areas, prices and values are more aligned.
View ArticleCalifornia Realtors push for state-level mortgage debt forgiveness tax relief
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) is lobbying to reinstall California's expired mortgage debt forgiveness tax relief, which expired Dec. 31, along with the federal version.
View ArticleShort sale lease back alternative to foreclosure available
A Short Sale Lease Back program (SSLB) allows you to sell your upside-down home and remain there for up to three years while paying a fair market rent. SSLB is the brainchild of real estate broker Bob...
View ArticleFirst-timers, existing homeowners driving the housing recovery
Investors are officially no longer the big kids on the block as existing homeowners and first-timers whittle away at low housing inventories. The housing recovery also comes with homes that take less...
View ArticleShort sale scammers still making the rounds
A short sale occurs, as an alternative to foreclosure, when a homeowner sells the property for less than the balance on the mortgage, provided the lender will accept the deal. Scammers try to squeeze...
View ArticleCallifornia’s May equity sales up; REO share in single-digits
The share of equity home sales in California made up nearly four of every five home sales in May. REO sales fell into the single-digits for the second straight month and registered levels not seen...
View ArticleSilicon Valley ‘second bubble’ a drop in a bucket of booming home prices
Drooping inventories, heavy demand, cheap, but not easy money, the lure of a major tech-mecca economy – and, yes, the weather – have combined to resurrect Silicon Valley's housing market where home...
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