Lead-Based Paint continues as Serious Concern
The use of highly toxic lead-based paint products was banned back in 1978. The problem continues to persist in about 24 million housing units around the country. This information is from a report by the Centers for Disease control and Prevention. Read More

Rates on Jumbo Loans Rise, Force Buyers and Lenders to be Creative
Recent increases in Jumbo loan rates are making $417,000 the new "magic number" for home buyers. Read More

Housing Flips Blamed for California's Market Decline
The Inland Empire region of Southern California is currently suffering from one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. Who is the culprit? House flippers. House flippers are those who purchased homes to resell them for a quick profit. However these housing flips are increasingly heading for foreclosure. Read More

Mortgage Rates Fall to 3-Month Lows
This week, Freddie Mac reported that the rate on 30-year fixed rate home loans dropped to 6.52% from 6.62% just one week ago. Read More

Presidential Candidates weigh-in on Credit Crunch
Two hot questions that are being addressed by presidential hopefuls are: What to do with the credit crunch, and how to deal with the slump in the housing market? Read More

A Past Foreclosure could Hurt Renters Chances
Home owners that have received threats of foreclosure or have been displaced as a result of a foreclosure are receiving a chilly reception from rental complexes as well. Read More

Mortgage Industry Has Dropped 38,000 Jobs since January 2007
Since the first of the year more than 38,000 employees have lost their jobs with mortgage lending institutions. These figures are from data compiled by the firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a global outplacement firm. Read More

What Went Wrong with the Recent Mortgage Crisis?
There are nearly 2 million mortgages that are slated for increases this fall. That action is expected to send the foreclosure rate soaring. Read More

An Increasing number of Borrowers Opt for Mortgage Insurance
The PMI Group, Inc. a provider of residential mortgage insurance has seen an increase in demand for mortgage insurance, mostly from borrowers that make down payments of 5% or less on their home purchases. Read More

Federal Reserve Cuts Discount Rate
On Friday, August 17, in an effort to stabilize the financial markets, the Federal Reserve cut the discount rate that banks are charged when the Fed makes direct loans to them from 6.25% to 5.75%. Read More

New Home Construction Hits Ten Year Low
In July, construction of new homes fell to its lowest pace in 10 years, as reported be the U.S. Commerce Department. Read More

Could Credit Turmoil Result in Rate Cuts by the Fed
Some economists are predicting that is the current market turmoil persists, the Federal Reserve's next step is likely to be to trim interest rates for the first time in four years. Read More

30-Year Mortgages Go up Slightly this Week
Freddie Mac reports that an increase in mortgage rates has ended a 3-week run in lower borrowing costs. The mortgage finance giant reports that the average rate on a 30-yr fixed loan increased from 6.59% up to 6.62% this week. Read More

Mortgage Concerns Could be Eased by GSE Changes
Secondary mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could play a big part in the insuring of the stability of the conventional mortgage markets if the government would temporarily lift current restrictions on the amount of mortgages each can hold in their portfolios. This message was sent to a federal regulator by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Home Builders. Read More

Tough Mortgage Market Brings back FHA Loans
Despite their shortcomings, old-fashioned FHA home loans offered from the Federal Housing Administration are back in favor. Read More

Strong Micro-markets Buck Housing Slowdown
Certain communities and zip codes are going against the grain amid national and regional housing market slowdowns. These areas and zip codes exhibit strong market activity even if surrounding areas have slowed down. Read More

CEO of Fannie Mae Says it Can Help Repair the Mortgage Crisis
Daniel Mudd, CEO of Fannie Mae, during an interview of CNBC August 9th, stated that his company could help relieve the current mortgage crisis. He wants to see Congress and industry regulators lift the current temporary limits on both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's mortgage portfolios which were instituted in the wake of their accounting crises. Read More

Banking Giant Adds Insurance Feature to Their Mortgage Product
Bank of America has announced that it is adding a new feature to its "Neighborhood Mortgage" mortgage loan program. This feature will settle the outstanding balance on mortgage in the event that the client holding the loan is permanently paralyzed or accidentally killed. Read More

Mortgage applications Increase Following Mid-summer Slowdown
Following a couple of slow weeks, mortgage applications increased 8.1% last week, based on a seasonally adjusted basis from 607.1 up to 656.5. This information reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly survey. Read More

Condominium Boards Toughen Up Ownership Standards
Condominium boards around the country have been toughening up their ownership standards. The tightened standards are making it more difficult for existing owners to sell. Read More

Federal Reserve Keeps Rates Steady and Acknowledges Risk
For the ninth straight meeting, the Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate steady at 5.25%. The reason for their decision is mainly due to the controlling of inflation. The Fed did acknowledge the accompanying risks of the unstable housing market. Read More

Remodelers Prefer Older Material to New
The Building Materials Reuse Association reports that a growing number of remodelers are choosing to used products. The number of reused-material stores in the U.S. has doubled in the past 5 years from 150 to 300. Read More

Oceanfront Property: The Pros and Cons
While demand remains high for waterfront properties, the slower real estate market currently offers some excellent deals by the ocean. Read More

Home Buyers Get Good News
Mortgage rates reported a modest decline for week ending August 4. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to one month low from 6.69% to 6.68%. Figures reported by Freddie Mac. Read More

Number of Green Buildings on the Rise
With energy-efficient homes continuing to be the exception, green building is gaining momentum. This information is provided by the U.S. Green Building Council along with the National Association of Home Builders. Read More

Market Displaying Signs of Improvement
The National Association of Realtors forward-looking indicator of pending home sales indicates that the market is likely to stabilize in the coming months. Read More

Appraisal Bill Would Increase Role Feds Have in Licensing
In an effort to curb appraisal abuses, a Key house lawmaker has introduced a bill that would give federal regulators expended power. Read More