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By Bruce Norris .

The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 6/3/11

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Sources:
Home prices: ‘Double-dip’ confirmed
Mortgage originations down 35% in first quarter
RealtyTrac reports nearly one-third of home sales are distressed
Home loan rates fall, but so does mortgage demand
Interthinx risk index shows occupancy fraud rose 25% in 1Q
Half of mortgage borrowers could never afford 20% down payment: NFCC

Today’s News Synopsis:

A new government plan may require larger down payments on cheaper mortgages. Inman has compiled a list of the top 10 markets for real estate investors. The Labor Department reports the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 9.1%.

In The News:

Bloomberg - “U.S. Mortgage Proposal May Result in ‘Rental Entrapment’” (6-3-11)

“Minorities and the working class may find it harder to buy homes under a U.S. plan that would require larger down payments to qualify for lower-cost mortgages, according to lenders, consumer groups and lawmakers. Bankers and consumer advocates, often at odds on policy issues, united today to make the case for revising the government proposal and released data that they said shows the rule would deny loans to millions of borrowers while doing little to reduce defaults.”

Orange County Register – “Costa Mesa home market speeds up” (6-3-11)

“Every two weeks, Orange County broker Steve Thomas publishes a report on the supply of local homes for sale. Here’s what the latest report — as of May 26 — has to say about Costa Mesa”

Inman - “10 Best Markets for Real Estate Investors” (6-3-11)

“The results of the analysis mirror two major economic trends: population growth and improving employment. In the past decade, the South has seen the biggest jump in population, up 14.3 percent to about 114 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The nation’s second most populated region, the West, saw its population jump 13.8 percent to nearly 72 million.”

DSNews - “Nation’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 9.1%” (6-3-11)

“The economy added just 54,000 jobs last month, the worst showing in eight months. Employment increases averaged 220,000 over the prior three months.”

Housing Wire – “CBO estimates another $42 billion needed for Fannie and Freddie” (6-3-11)

“The Congressional Budget Office estimated Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will need another $42 billion in subsidies from 2012 through 2021, based on the latest projections from first quarter data.”

Housing Wire – “Research firm predicts California home price appreciation by 2014″ (6-3-11)

“The average home price in the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos metropolitan statistical area in the first quarter was about $324,200, according Local Market Monitor’s latest report, while the average home price in San Francisco was $623,200 and the average home price in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale was $352,200. These home prices are down 1%, up 7%, and up 15%, respectively, from each metro’s equilibrium price.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac to securitize multifamily adjustable-rate mortgages” (6-3-11)

“Adjustable-rate mortgages on multifamily properties can now be sold to Freddie Mac’s multifamily Capital Markets Execution program for securitization, the government-sponsored enterprise said Friday.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, stats from Freddie Mac showed the average rate for 30-year FRMs increased to 4.79 percent. Moody’s Investor Service reported commercial property values were down 42% from the peak in 2007. According to Trulia, many areas in the United States were becoming cheaper to rent than own in. The US Department of Labor (DOL) received 10,000 fewer initial unemployment claims in the week ending May 29 than the previous week.

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 5/27/11

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Sources:
Housing Affordability Rises to Record Level, Tight Financing Continues to Constrain Sales
U.S. Home Price Index Fell 2.5% in First Quarter of This Year
Troubled banks made up about 12 pct of total in Q1
Housing Affordability Rises to Record Level, Tight Financing Continues to Constrain Sales
U.S. Home Price Index Fell 2.5% in First Quarter of This Year
Troubled banks made up about 12 pct of total in Q1
Mortgage delinquencies inch higher
California creating mortgage fraud task force
Mortgage defaults do not predict poor credit behavior: TransUnion
Watch for strategic defaulters, economists suggest after studying Countrywide data

Today’s News Synopsis:

Two major lenders admitted to improperly foreclosing on active-duty military without court orders. The NAR claims pending home sales decreased 11.6% in April. According to Standard & Poor, the delinquency rate among loans from state HFAs reached 7.5% in the firs 2010.

In The News:

San Diego Union Tribune – “Lenders to pay $22M for foreclosures on military” (5-27-11)

“Two major U.S. lenders have agreed to pay more than $22 million to settle allegations that they improperly foreclosed on active-duty military without court orders, the Justice Department announced Thursday.”

NAR - “April Pending Home Sales Drop After Two Monthly Gains” (5-27-11)

“The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, dropped 11.6 percent to 81.9 in April from a downwardly revised 92.6 in March. The index is 26.5 percent below a cyclical peak of 111.5 in April 2010 when buyers were rushing to beat the contract deadline for the home buyer tax credit.”

Bloomberg - “Foreclosure Deal May Give Banks Options” (5-27-11)

“Under the proposal, Bank of America Corp. (BAC), Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Citigroup Inc. (C) and Ally Financial Inc. would pay penalties and pledge billions of dollars in relief to home buyers, one of the people said, asking not to be named because the talks are private. Firms may fulfill obligations to borrowers over time, choosing among options such as reducing loan principal, cutting fees or paying moving costs, the people said.”

Housing Wire – “Fannie Mae issuance drops to lowest level since January 2009″ (5-27-11)

“Fannie Mae issued $34.5 billion in guaranteed mortgage-backed securities in April, down from $54 billion one month ago and the lowest level since January 2009, when the government-sponsored enterprise issued $21 billion.”

Housing Wire – “Delinquencies on state HFA mortgages hit record high” (5-27-11)

“The delinquency rate among loans from state housing finance agencies reached 7.5% at the end of 2010, up a full percentage point from the previous quarter and the highest rate on record, according to Standard & Poor’s.”

Housing Wire – “Another collapse in home prices would hinder bank earnings: S&P” (5-27-11)

“Another downturn in home prices could stifle the solid recovery banks have made in the past two years, cutting into profit margins, derailing credit and threatening ratings, according to Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Devi Aurora.”

Housing Wire – “HAMP disappoints most homeowners, housing counselors say” (5-27-11)

“The GAO received 500 responses to its October 2010 survey of roughly 130 housing agencies regarding HAMP. Nearly 400 responded to the question about how the borrowers they worked with felt about the program. Only 9% of the counselors said borrowers had a ‘positive’ experience, according to the GAO report released Thursday.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, 6,462 residential property owners in San Francisco applied for temporary property tax breaks. Freddie Mac reported the average U.S. rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.78 percent for the week. Statistics from FHFA showed the average interest rate on conventional 30-year FRM with a principal of $417,000 or less increased to 5.12% in May.

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.

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227-TNG Radio – Craig Hill 5-28-11

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Craig-Hill

Hard Money Lender for The Norris Group


(Full Bio)

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This week Bruce is joined again by Craig Hill. Craig has been with The Norris Group since its inception in 1995. He has helped The Norris Group invest in approximately $40 million worth of trust deeds.

Many investors do not understand the concept of putting up money for loans. This is a very unusual idea for many investors, and mentioning it to investors may make them feel like you are asking them to take a suitcase full of money to Vegas and spend it.

A trust deed is attached to real property, and that property covers a large gambit and many different lean positions. Many people falsely assume that a trust deed is the worst case scenario. Trust deeds have different yields and different risk rates. Bruce and Craig have been investing in trust deeds for a long time. Craig has found it is very difficult to persuade people to invest in trust deeds. Bruce feels that trust deeds are a better investment than a stock or a bond, because trust deeds allow him to have some control over the outcome of his investment.

Craig has been monitoring TNG’s investor base for a long time, and he has noticed that the longer these people work as investors, the more money they invest in trust deeds. The longer you invest in trust deeds, and the more you understand them, the more you appreciate them, because they have a great risk vs. return rate.

When trust deeds are mentioned, many people assume that you are investing in a second or third position loan. The Norris Group only invests in first trust deeds. Trust deeds can be used to lend on anything from a single family residence to raw land on a slope. TNG only lends on single family residences. These residences will be fixed by an investor, and then either sold or rented.

Borrowers interested in using TNG’s 12% return program are borrowing to flip a property. TNG also has a 9% yield to investor program. Borrowers using the 12% program will receive a larger yield, but their money comes out of the property, so they do not receive any more interest until they find another trust deed. If the 12% program users do not have a trust deed investment for just 2 months out of the year, then their yield will drop to the 9% level. Craig uses the 9% program almost exclusively, because his return remains consistent over multiple years, and he doesn’t have to waste time searching for more investments. Also, many of the trust deeds being invested in right now are at the bottom of the market, which provides a safe LTV. The LTV ratio will get more absurd later on.

Craig loaned a $40,000 trust deed on a $65,000 house in Apple Valley. During the peak of the market, that house was selling for approximately $250,000. This means that Craig now has a $40,000 loan on a property that was once $250,000. Even if this property only went up to half of the value it once was, that value would be $125,000.

TNG’s trust deed program has never had a property come back, but if a property did come back, there would still be many profitable options for TNG, because renting is very profitable in the current market. If a property comes back in today’s market, you then own a home free and clear, and you can collect rent from the property, which is even more valuable than the original trust deed payment.

People who are new to trust deeds are very concerned about what happens when they do not receive payments. When a new client comes to Craig, he shows the client all the loans TNG has, so they can see how few of the loan payments are late. If you went to Bank of America and asked to see their list of loans, you would find far more delinquent loans. People get too concerned about “what if” scenarios. They think of trust deeds like stocks that can dramatically devalue very quickly. When the “what if” scenario is a free and clear house, your level of risk is significantly lower than a stock.

Typically, people who invest in trust deeds have established some wealth. At some point, you don’t want to risk principle, and you want to get a safe return. Bruce does not know of a safer and more passive way to get a good yield.

90% of TNG’s trust deed properties are bought with cash, and then refinanced. Generally, TNG loans 60% of a property’s worth.

Craig always checks to see if the title on a property is ok, and he always purchases fire insurance.

If Craig is working with a new investor, he sends them a copy of the appraisal. Once the new investor looks at the appraisal, Craig will allow them to ask questions about the deal.

Some trust deed investors like to try and work on their own. This is hard to do if you do not have experience. The Norris Group has performed 2,600 loans, which have come from 20,000 conversations. This is the one industry where working with a broker makes more money than working on your own. Also, people who try to work on their own often come across legal issues due to usery.

Craig had the good fortune of being contacted by another lender who was going out of business. The lender was contacting Craig because he thought Craig could help his former clients. After receiving a list of 200 clients from the lender, Craig decided that only 2 of the listed clients were capable of fitting in with The Norris Group. The people who invest with The Norris Group are not speculators; many of them are full time investors and are highly educated.

When you invest in a pool, the leader of the pool can attach any property they want to onto your pool. This can be a good or a bad thing depending who is leading your pool, and their motivations for investing your money.

The Norris Group’s website is www.thenorrisgroup.com

You can download our trust deed investment booklet and other investor training material.

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 5/3/11

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The federal government claims Deutsche Bank commited mortgage fraud, and is suing the bank. LPS said 500,000 borrowers became current on their loans in the first quarter. Michael Fratantoni of the MBA predicts a full housing recovery is 3 to 4 years away. The combined sales of all broker-run transactions fell $226 million year over year.

In The News:

The Washington Post – “Federal government sues Deutsche Bank in NYC, alleging it committed mortgage fraud” (5-3-11)

“The federal government sued Deutsche Bank Tuesday, saying the bank committed fraud and padded its pockets with undeserved income as it repeatedly lied so it could benefit from a government program that insured mortgages.”

Wall Street Journal – “Banks Are Lending, but Pace Falls Shy” (5-3-11)

“Big banks eased lending standards and businesses sought more loans in the first quarter of the year, the Federal Reserve said. In its quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey released Monday, the Fed said the share of banks ‘that reported having become more willing to make consumer installment loans rose to its highest level since the first half of 1994.’”

Housing Wire – “Half a million bad mortgages got better or foreclosed in first quarter” (5-3-11)

“Lender Processing Services (LPS: 28.60 +0.03%) said 500,000 ailing mortgage borrowers either came current on their payments or lost their home to foreclosure in the first quarter, according to a recent mortgage monitor from the Florida-based data provider.”

Housing Wire – “Shadow inventory will keep housing recovery at bay for three to four years” (5-3-11)

“A full housing recovery is three to four years off as the nation grapples with a shadow housing inventory of 4.5 million distressed properties, according to Michael Fratantoni, vice president of research and economics for the Mortgage Bankers Association.”

Bloomberg - “Commercial Property Prices May Fall, Apollo’s Azrack Says” (5-3-11)

“U.S. commercial property prices may fall within a year as building owners attempt to refinance $1 trillion in mortgages, according to Joseph Azrack, head of real estate for Apollo Global Management LLC.”

Orange County Register – “Home sales generating 7% less in 2011″ (5-3-11)

“The combined sales of all broker-run transactions fell by $226 million from the first quarter last year, when home sales generated a total of $3.35 billion – revenue divided between home sellers and their agents. During the first three months of this year, both sales and prices dropped from year-ago levels. The average price of an Orange County home sold through the MLS fell 2.8% in the first quarter to $540,856.”

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 5/2/11

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The Commerce Department reports construction spending increased 1.4% in March. Mortgage modification completions dropped nearly 20% in the first quarter, according to Hope Now. Maury Harris believes 750,000 to 1 million new households will be created in 2011.

In The News:

Sacramento Bee – “March construction spending rose 1.4 percent” (5-2-11)

“Construction spending rose 1.4 percent in March, the Commerce Department said Monday. It was the biggest advance since last April”

CNN - “Your Home: How to sell in tough times” (5-2-11)

“Many give in to the temptation to list the property above fair market value to see what happens. Big mistake. About a quarter of sellers in the past year initially listed too high and were forced to knock the price lower, according to Trulia.com. Even in cities that have held up well, such as Charlotte, 25% of sellers resort to at least one price cut, and often two.”

Orange County Register – “Slow spring: Home demand off 5%” (5-2-11)

“Demand, the number of new pending sales over the past month, decreased by 5% over the past month, shedding 169 pending sales and now totals 3,189. This year, the height in demand was reached on March 31st with 3,358 pending sales. Two weeks prior, on March 17th, demand had increased to 2,982.”

Housing Wire – “Private mortgage modifications drop 20% in first quarter” (5-2-11)

“Mortgage servicers completed 209,806 private modifications in the first quarter, down 19.7% from the previous period, according to data from the Hope Now alliance.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac provides mortgage forbearance for victims of southern storms” (5-2-11)

“Freddie Mac will provide borrowers affected by recent storms in the South with a forbearance on mortgage payments for up to one year.”

Bloomberg - “New Households Form at Fastest Rate Since ’07 in Resurgent U.S.” (5-2-11)

“Between 750,000 and 1 million new households will be created in 2011, predict UBS Securities LLC’s Maury Harris and IHS Global Insight’s Patrick Newport. That compares with just 357,000 added in the year ended March 2010, the lowest on record, according to the Census Bureau. As employment picks up, new households are likely to rise above the past decade’s average of 1.3 million a year, according to Newport.”

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 4/14/11

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Statistics from MDA DataQuick show 7,051 houses and condos sold in the Bay Area last month. CAR says home sales increased 3.1% in March. According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings dropped 27% year over year. A newly proposed bill may require mortgage servicers to respond within 45 days of receiving a short sale request.

In The News:

MDA DataQuick – “Sales up, Prices Down for Bay Area Housing Market” (4-14-11)

“A total of 7,051 new and resale houses and condos sold in the nine-county Bay Area last month. That was up 41.3 percent from 4,991 in February and up 0.2 percent from 7,040 in March 2010, according to San Diego-based DataQuick.”

CAR - “March sales and price report” (4-14-11)

“Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 514,090 units in March, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. Sales in March increased 3.1 percent month-over-month and 1.5 percent year-to-year, aligning with C.A.R. sales expectations for 2011.”

Inman - “Feds announce partial settlement with ‘robo signing’ servicers” (4-14-11)

“In a partial settlement addressing so-called ‘robo-signing’ foreclosure practices, the nation’s largest loan servicers have agreed to hire outside consultants to review foreclosures initiated in 2009 and 2010, and to compensate homeowners who should not have been foreclosed on.”

Los Angeles Times – “Mortgage rates continue to edge higher” (4-14-11)

“The average rate for the benchmark mortgage rose for the fourth straight week, according to Freddie Mac, which said in a report Thursday that the lenders it surveyed were offering 30-year loans at 4.91% this week.”

CNN - “Foreclosures off 30% this year” (4-14-11)

“The number of foreclosure notices filed during the first three months of 2011 fell 27% compared with the first quarter of 2010, according to a report from RealtyTrac released Thursday.”

NAHB - “Proposed QRM Harms Creditworthy Borrowers and Housing Recovery” (4-14-11)

“In the midst of a very fragile housing recovery, the government is throwing a devastating, unnecessary and very expensive wrench into the American dream. First time homebuyers will have to choose between higher rates today or a 9-14 year delay while they save up the necessary down payment. And 25 million current homeowners would be locked out of lower refinancing rates because they lack the required 25 percent equity in their homes.”

Housing Wire – “Jobless claims unexpectedly rise to 412,000 last week” (4-14-11)

“For the week ending April 9, Americans filed 412,000 initial jobless claims, which is 27,000 more claims when compared to the previous week’s revised figure of 385,000.”

Housing Wire – “Bill introduced to speed up short sales” (4-14-11)

“A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives this week, requiring mortgage servicers to respond within 45 days of receiving a short sale request.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Foreclosure Settlement Muddies Outlook for Mortgage Relief From Banks” (4-14-11)

“The 14 largest U.S. mortgage servicers, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC), agreed to review all foreclosed loans from 2009 and 2010, and pay back losses in cases that were mishandled. They also will improve procedures by hiring staff, upgrading document-tracking systems and assigning a single point of contact for each borrower. ”

Orange County Register – “Are these home prices too good to be true?” (4-14-11)

“There have been 79 short sales that have closed escrow in Huntington Beach thus far this year. They have sold for an average of 99.9% of their list price. That’s a pretty incredible number. I fully understand the reasoning for aggressively pricing a short sale listing. Agents want to get an offer in front of the bank as soon as possible to get the ball rolling on the short sale. But I think this has to be done within reason.”

Orange County Register – “O.C. hotel room rates jump 6.6%” (4-14-11)

“The lodging experts at Colliers PKF report that Orange County hotels in February saw average room rates at $138.19 per night — that is up 6.6% in a year (or $8.52 a night.) Meanwhile, 67.3% of Orange County hotel rooms were filled vs. 63.9% the year earlier.”

Housing Wire – “Lawmakers to consider reducing QRM down payment to 10%” (4-14-11)

“Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are considering a push to lower the 20% down payment required for exemption of the recently proposed risk-retention rules on securitized mortgages.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, the U.S. Treasury reported more than 1.4 million borrowers had been offered trial modifications under HAMP. The MBA’s weekly survey showed that mortgage application volume decreased by 9.6 percent from the previous week. Banks required over 25 percent more time to foreclose a property in in California from the previous year. According to statistics from the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, overall economic activity increased in nearly all parts of the country.

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 4/11/11

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

RealtTrac reports military towns experienced an increased in foreclosure activity from 2008 to 2010. Congress agreed to a budget late Friday. Fannie Mae is creating more home ownership incentive by offering up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance. Federal Trade Commission settled with mortgage relief scammers Monday for $2.2 million in refunds to homeowners who were tricked into mortgage relief scams.

In The News:

Sacramento Bee – “Southern California’s military towns have taken a crushing blow in real estate collapse” (4-11-11)

“Foreclosures rose 32 percent in ZIP codes near military towns over the last three years, from 2008 to 2010, compared with 23 percent nationwide, said Rick Sharga, senior vice president of RealtyTrac in Irvine.”

Housing Wire - “Monday Morning Cup of Coffee” (4-11-11)

“With hours to spare Friday night, Congress agreed to a budget that would keep the government from shutting down for the first time since 1995.”

Housing Wire – “Fitch reports slowing subprime delinquencies, foreclosure sales” (4-11-11)

“The percentage of borrowers with mortgages classified as 30 or more days delinquent fell by 5.3% in March from February and the percentage of borrowers who are 60 days or more delinquent fell by 4.4%, according to a report composed by Fitch Solutions director David Austerweil.”

Daily Bulletin – “Casting a shadow: Housing market’s hidden inventory looms” (4-11-11)

“A nine-month supply of distressed homes in the U.S., about 1.8 million units as of January, are waiting to make their way onto the market, according to data released last week from Santa Ana-based CoreLogic.”

Housing Wire – “Fannie Mae offers help with closing costs on HomePath properties” (4-11-11)

“As the housing market continues to lag in sales, Fannie Mae is laying the groundwork to entice buyers by announcing it will offer up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance on Fannie Mae-owned HomePath properties. To qualify, the buyer’s initial offering on the HomePath property must be submitted on or after April 11 and the sale must close by June 30.”

My Budget 360 – “The housing gamble: What if home prices remained stagnant until 2020?” (4-11-11)

“Given the current domestic and global trends, it is likely that housing will be suffering another troubled decade from 2011 to 2020 just like it experienced from 2001 to 2010.”

Housing Wire – “FTC settles with mortgage relief scammers for $2.2 million” (4-11-11)

“The Federal Trade Commission settled with two companies and three individuals Monday to provide $2.2 million in refunds to homeowners allegedly duped into mortgage relief scams.”

Housing Wire – “Ellie Mae, CoreLogic join forces to please Fannie Mae” (4-11-11)

“A new feature through Ellie Mae’s Encompass360 loan origination platform designed by CoreLogic (CLGX: 17.92 -0.28%) aims to reduce repurchase risk on agency loans by assessing fraudulent information before a mortgage is originated.”

Bloomberg - “IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast on Oil, ‘Lackluster’ Jobs Pace” (4-11-11)

“The International Monetary Fund lowered its forecast for U.S. growth this year, predicting higher oil prices and the pace of job gains will restrain the recovery. The world’s largest economy will expand 2.8 percent this year, down from the 3 percent projected in January, the IMF said today, citing the need to reduce deficits and boost exports.”

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 4/6/11

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Mortgage applications dropped 2% from last week, according to the MBA. CoreLogic has developed a tool to determine whether borrowers are overstating their income. A small business tax rule has been reversed by Congress. Borrowers will no longer be excluded from 3 of the 4 Keep Your Home California programs just because they took out a home equity line of credit or did a cash-out refinance.

In The News:

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (4-6-11)

“Mortgage applications decreased 2.0 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 1, 2011.”

MDA DataQuick – “Use of FHA Loans Declines; VA Loan Use Up from Last Year” (4-4-11)

“In February, 33.3 percent of the purchase mortgages used in those 20 metro areas were FHA-insured, down from 34.2 percent in January and 38.2 percent in February 2010, according to San Diego-based DataQuick Information Systems. Last month’s figure was the lowest since FHA loans made up 33.0% of the purchase loan market in November 2008.”

Inman - “CoreLogic tools automate income verification” (4-5-11)

“Data aggregator and analytics company CoreLogic is offering mortgage lenders free 30-day trials of its real-time income validation tool, IncomeAdvisor. IncomeAdvisor is designed to help lenders determine whether borrowers are overstating their claimed income”

Los Angeles Times – “Tax rule that would’ve hurt small business is repealed” (4-6-11)

“All businesses would have had to file tax forms for every person or company with whom they did more than $600 worth of business in a year. Small businesses protested, saying they would be buried in paperwork, so Congress is reversing course.”

San Francisco Chronicle - “Mortgage aid offered to those who cashed out equity” (4-6-11)

“The California Housing Finance Agency said Tuesday that people will no longer be excluded from three of the four Keep Your Home California programs just because they took out a home equity line of credit or did a cash-out refinance.”

Housing Wire – “Undercover investigation reveals mortgage scammer tactics” (4-6-11)

“Four fair housing organizations released findings Wednesday from a yearlong undercover investigation uncovering loan modification scammer-tactics victimizing homeowners.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, a Fannie Mae survey showed that approximately two-thirds of Americans still preferred to own a home. Independent mortgage bankers and subsidiaries made an average profit of $890 on each loan they originated in the fourth quarter of 2009. The National Bankruptcy Research Center claims that bankruptcies could total over 1.5 million in 2010. According to Reis Inc, rent prices declined by 1.6 percent from 2009.

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 4/5/11

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Two Wall Street firms claim housing prices will continue to fall through the present quarter. REIS reports the national office vacancy rate fell to 17.5% in the first quarter. A Harris Poll shows 22% of U.S. homeowners are having difficulty making their mortgage payments. A new RealtyTrac feature allows users checking home listings to see how much equity each property has.

In The News:

NAHB - “Home Builders Applaud Congressional Passage of 1099 Repeal” (4-5-11)

“The Senate today approved legislation supported by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to repeal a burdensome tax paperwork requirement that could cost small businesses thousands of dollars each year. The bill now goes to President Obama for his approval.”

Orange County Register – “59% of H.B. homes pending sale are distressed” (4-5-11)

“59% of homes in escrow are short sales, in foreclosure or bank owned. 42% of homes sold in March were distressed.”

Housing Wire – “Democrats’ homeownership assistance bills face fiscal resistance” (4-5-11)

“Senate Bill 690 and H.R. 1238 — would create a new executive position under the Treasury Department to advocate for homeowners and free up remaining TARP funds to help distressed homeowners with legal assistance.”

Housing Wire – “KBW says eight GSE reform bills barely dent mortgage market” (4-5-11)

“the proposed legislation addresses oversight issues, which means little structural change will manifest because of them, according to a report released by KBW Tuesday.”

CNBC - “No Spring Break in Housing: Prices Likely to Keep Falling” (4-4-11)

“Housing prices will not get a Spring bounce and will actually fall during the industry’s historically best season as buyers continue to wait for that elusive ‘housing bottom,’ according to surveys and analysis by two top Wall Street firms.”

Wall Street Journal – “Lenders Near Pacts With Regulators in Foreclosure Probe” (4-4-11)

“Fourteen U.S. lenders are on the verge of agreements with federal bank regulators to overhaul their handling of foreclosures and treatment of delinquent borrowers in response to allegations of abuses that emerged last fall.”

Bloomberg - “KB Home Reports Wider First-Quarter Loss as Revenue and Orders Plunged” (4-5-11)

“KB Home (KBH), the Los Angeles-based homebuilder that targets first-time buyers, fell the most in four months in New York trading after reporting a bigger-than- expected loss as orders plunged.”

Bloomberg - “Office Market in U.S. Begins Recovery as Vacancy Rate Declines” (4-5-11)

“The national vacancy rate fell to 17.5 percent in the first quarter from 17.6 percent in the previous three months, Reis Inc. said in a report today. The drop was the first since July through September of 2007.”

Orange County Register – “U.S.: World’s 7th worst housing market” (4-5-11)

“The United States had the 7th worst housing market in the world in the fourth quarter, according to year-to-year price changes tracked by the Knight Frank Global House Price Index.”

Orange County Register – “32 million people struggling to pay mortgage” (4-5-11)

“A new Harris Poll shows that 22% of U.S. homeowners with mortgages — 32 million people — are having a tough time making payments, including 7% — 11 million folks — who say they’re experiencing ‘a great deal of difficulty’.”

Orange County Register – “Irvine housing speeds up 17%” (4-5-11)

“Irvine’s housing market has 85 days worth of inventory of residences to sell vs. 96 days countywide. That’s according to the latest inventory math of Orange County broker Steve Thomas.”

Housing Wire – “New RealtyTrac feature lists property equity” (4-5-11)

“RealtyTrac unveiled a new feature on its website Tuesday that enables users going through the home listings to see how much equity each property has.”

Housing Wire – “Wells Fargo-Wachovia settles CDO claim with SEC for $11 million” (4-5-11)

“A Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into Wachovia Capital Markets’ sale of two collateralized debt obligations supported by residential mortgage-backed securities resulted in Wells Fargo Securities agreeing to pay $11 million in fines and penalties this week.”

Looking Back:

Pending home sales increased by 8.2 percent from January to February. A new rule will require all new lender applicants for FHA programs to possess a minimum net worth of $1 million. According to LPS, the average loan in foreclosure is 401 days delinquent.  A proposed bill, House Resolution 4935, will prohibit mortgage servicers from holding another mortgage on a property that also secures the serviced mortgage.

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.

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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 3/9/11

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Mortgage applications increased 15.5% last week, according to the MBA. UCLA economists predict California’s unemployment rate will remain above 10% until 2013. Freddie Mac’s level of REO properties has grown 145.7% over the past two years. Obama threatened to veto bills terminating the Federal Housing Administration’s Short Refi and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Homeowner Loan Program.

In The News:

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (3-9-11)

“Mortgage applications increased 15.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 4, 2011.”

Los Angeles Times – “California labor market recovery to go more slowly than predicted, report says” (3-9-11)

“The state’s unemployment rate will remain in double digits until early 2013, according to a report slated for release Wednesday by UCLA’s Anderson School of Management . That’s three months later than the university’s economists forecast in December, as California’s weak housing market continues to weigh on the region’s recovery.”

Housing Wire – “AARP sues HUD over reverse mortgage foreclosures” (3-9-11)

“A reverse or Home Equity Conversion Mortgage allows the borrower, who must be at least 62 years old, to convert a portion of the equity in the home for cash. No repayment is required until the borrower no longer uses the home as a principal residence or does not meet the obligations of the loan, often in the event of death.”

Housing Wire – “Cleveland Fed economist calls for toxic asset bad bank” (3-9-11)

“James Thomson, vice president and financial economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, believes regulators can ease the pain of future financial meltdowns by creating a bad bank to acquire all toxic assets, including underperforming mortgages.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac implores mortgage servicers to reach borrowers early” (3-9-11)

“Freddie announced it will use a new scorecard to measure how its mortgage servicers perform beginning in the third quarter. The change is part of a wider revamp of how Freddie will manage its 1,400 servicing companies and monitor how they put troubled mortgages through the loss mitigation process.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac hires two REO servicers to help handle rising inventory” (3-9-11)

“The partnership is designed to manage expected increases in REO inventory, Freddie Mac said. At the end of February, the GSE said,the level of its REO properties grew 145.7% in just two years. In 2008, REO inventory was 29,346 compared to 72,093 homes in 2010.”

Housing Wire – “Obama threatens to veto bills killing foreclosure programs” (3-9-11)

“The House Financial Services Committee voted last week approving two bills that would terminate the Federal Housing Administration’s Short Refi and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Homeowner Loan Program.”

Bloomberg - “Hotel Purchases Will Soar on Rising Room Rates, Jones Lang LaSalle Says” (3-9-11)

“Hotel rates will gain this year as a recovery in business travel fills more rooms, lodging companies including Marriott International Inc., the biggest hotelier in the U.S., said yesterday in Berlin. Leisure travel is also rebounding after consumers trimmed spending during the recession. Revenue per room in the hotel industry rose worldwide in 2010, according to researcher STR Global.”

Looking Back:

Capital Economics claims that U.S. home values are 20 percent undervalued. Yields on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage securities fell to record lows. Trulia reports that 19 percent of homes had a price reduction last month. Real estate appraisers claim that Obama’s new foreclosure program encourages fraud.

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.

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