Today’s News Synopsis:
Mortgage rates for 30 year fixed U.S. loans are at their lowest on record at 3.87%. In other news, unemployment claims also decreased last week as did claims for unemployment insurance. A bill was introduced in the Senate yesterday that would change the way employees at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be paid.
In The News:
Housing Wire – “Senate joins House in effort to cut pay at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac” (2-1-12)
“A Senate bill introduced Wednesday would place employees at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under a federal pay scale, similar to legislation already in the works in the House.”
Inman – “Obama administration details refinance pan for underwater borrowers” (2-1-12)
“Last week, in his State of the Union address, President Obama introduced a proposal to help millions of homeowners, who are underwater on their mortgages, refinance their loans at current low rates. Today, the administration released details of the plan.”
CNN Money – “Bernanke: Fed will protect U.S. economy from Europe” (2-2-12)
“The recovery remains “frustrating slow” in the United States, and now Europe’s debt crisis is posing additional challenges, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Thursday.”
Bloomberg – “Mortgage Rates for 30-Year U.S. Fixed Loans Decline to a Record-Low of 3.87%” (2-2-12)
Rates for 30-year U.S. mortgages declined to the lowest level on record after the Obama administration announced measures to make it easier for homeowners to reduce their monthly payments by refinancing.”
Housing Wire – “Jobless claims decline, lower than most estimates” (2-2-12)
“The number of Americans filing initial jobless claims declined about 3% last week, coming in lower than most analysts’ estimates and staying below 400,000.”
San Francisco Chronicle – “BofA Tumbles to 5.6% Share of Mortgages as Wells Fargo Dominates” (2-2-12)
“Bank of America Corp. lost about three-quarters of its market share in U.S. home mortgages since 2007 as the firm grappled with defective loans, while Wells Fargo & Co.’s presence almost doubled, FBR Capital Markets said.”
DS News – “Claims for Unemployment Insurance Improve as January Ends” (2-2-12)
“First time claims for unemployment insurance fell 12,000 for the week ended January 28 to 367,000, reversing half of the increase of the previous week, the Department of Labor reported Thursday.”
Bloomberg – “Obama Uses Housing Crisis as Foil to Romney’s ‘Hit-Bottom’ Strategy” (2-2-12)
“The White House hopes to help millions of homeowners lower their monthly mortgage bill with a $5 billion to $10 billion plan to set up a streamlined refinancing program for people who are current on their payments.”
Housing Wire – “PMI Group latest mortgage insurer to give Fannie Mae short-sale authority” (2-2-12)
“Fannie Mae mortgage servicers can complete short sales and deeds in lieu of foreclosure without getting separate approval from the now bankrupt mortgage insurer The PMI Group, a change that’s expected to further reduce barriers to short sales.”
DS News – “Real Estate Professionals Feeling Brunt of Recession” (2-2-12)
“The effects of the housing crisis are widespread, but nowhere do they hit home more than in the real estate community. Eighty-eight percent of real estate professionals in a recent survey said they have lost money since 2008 or are living off significantly less income. Many are dipping into savings to make ends meet.”
Realtor Magazine – “Rural Refinance Pilot Program Announced” (2-2-12)
“The USDA is launching the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Rural Refinance Pilot Program, which is designed to help rural home owners refinance their mortgages in order to reduce monthly payments.”
Hard Money Loan Closed
San Diego, California hard money loan closed by The Norris Group private lending. Real estate investor received loan for $90,000 on a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home appraised for $160,000.
California Real Estate Investor Events:
Bruce Norris of The Norris Group will be at the Advanced Investing Skills and Strategies 2.5 tomorrow, February 4, 2012.
The Norris Group posted a new event. Bruce Norris of The Norris Group will be at the 2012 Kick Off Brunch on February 18, 2012.
Looking Back:
Mortgage application volume increased 11.3% from the previous week, according to the MBA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were raising risk fees they charged lenders on loans they bought for resale to investors. HOPE NOW reported 1.76 million homeowners received a mortgage modification in 2010. Statistics from DBRS showed 50 percent of loan modifications resulted in re-default.
For more information about The Norris Group’s California hard money loans or our California Trust Deed investments, visit the website or call our office at 951-780-5856 for more information. For upcoming California real estate investor training and events, visit The Norris Group website and our California investor calendar. You’ll also find our award-winning real estate radio show on KTIE 590am at 6pm on Saturdays or you can listen to over 170 podcasts in our free investor radio archive.
