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The Norris Group Real Estate News Roundup 1/27/12

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Sources:
Foreclosure Properties Fall to 20% of Home Buys
Loan Modifications Are on the Decline: Moody’s
First-time unemployment claims climb
American economy not healthy yet, but it’s healing
Pending Home Sales Decline Monthly, Rise Annually
Contracts to Purchase Existing U.S. Homes Hold Near 19-Month High: Economy
FHFA home prices fall 1.8% in November
Sales of U.S. New Homes Unexpectedly Decline in December
30-Year Mortgage Rates Rise From Record Low
Fed: Benchmark Rate Will Stay Low Until ’14
California Home Foreclosure Notices Decline 12% as Lenders Change Policies
First Three Bank Failures of 2012 to Cost FDIC $244M
Illinois AG Sues S&P
Eric Schneiderman promises aggressive financial fraud probe
Two banks signal they may join mortgage deal
Senate clears $1.2 trillion debt ceiling raise
Obama Announces New Refi Program in State of the Union Address
Wells Fargo launches pilot programs to clear LA, Atlanta housing inventory
FHFA: Principal reduction would cost Fannie, Freddie $100 billion
Programmers Size Up Bank Borrowers With Algorithms Rather Than FICO Scores

Today’s News Synopsis:

In this week’s video, Aaron Norris gives the news of the week in the world of real estate and other big news of the week.  The Commerce Department said the growth rate for the gross domestic product was averaged to be 2.8% in the last quarter of 2011.  LPS reported a 30 year-over-year decrease in new loan originations in November.  At the same time, loan delinquencies also decreased 25% last month.  In other news, Freddie Mac reported an increase in the average mortgage rate.

In The News:

Bloomberg - “D.R. Horton Reports First-Quarter Profit as Homebuilding Revenue Increases” (1-27-12)

“D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI), the largest U.S. homebuilder by volume, reported first-quarter profit that beat analyst estimates after a year-earlier loss as revenue from home sales rose.”

Housing Wire - “New originations drop 30%, loan delinquencies decline” (1-27-12)

“Low interest rates are spurring some activity in the mortgage market, but opportunities for borrowers with low credit scores are limited, according to the latest Mortgage Monitor Report from LPS Applied Analytics.  New loan originations, overall, fell 30% year-over-year in November, with LPS reporting 537,720 originations in November, compared to 724,364 in December 2010. The report did not include new origination amounts for December 2011.”

CNN Money - “SEC to step up scrutiny of private equity firms” (1-27-12)

“The private equity world is struggling to stay in the shadows.  It’s harder to do so with Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney getting criticized for his private equity roots. If that weren’t enough, the Securities and Exchange Commission says it plans to step up scrutiny of the industry as well.”

Realty Times - “Mortgage Rates Reverse Course on Positive Housing Data” (1-27-12)

“In Freddie Mac’s results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® the average mortgage rates climbed as the housing market ended 2011 on a high note.”

San Francisco Chronicle – “Unexpected dip in U.S. new home sales in December” (1-27-12)

“Sales of new U.S. homes unexpectedly declined in December for the first time in four months, capping the slowest year on record for builders.”

DS News - “Michigan, Ohio Lawmakers Propose Large-Scale Demolition” (1-27-12)

“With vacant and deteriorating properties taking a toll on communities throughout Ohio and Michigan, lawmakers from the two states are proposing large-scale demolition as a means of easing the burden of these problematic properties.”

Housing Wire – “GDP growth rate of 2.8% for 4Q” (1-27-12)

“Higher readings on private inventory investment, consumer spending and and residential investment led the Commerce Department to estimate the gross domestic product growth rate at 2.8% for the final three months of 2011.”

DS News - “Administration Revamps HAMP to Reach More Borrowers” (1-27-12)

“The Obama administration has announced changes to its flagship foreclosure prevention initiative – the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) – which officials say will expand its reach to more distressed homeowners.”

Housing Wire – “January consumer sentiment posts 11-month high” (1-27-12)

“Consumer sentiment climbed to an index level of 75 in January, the best reading of the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey in nearly a year.”

CNN Money - “Mortgage probe unveiled as foreclosure talks loom” (1-27-12)

“President Obama’s latest probe into the mortgage meltdown will have more power than past efforts, and federal officials say it won’t derail a possible $20 billion settlement for underwater and foreclosed homeowners.”

Hard Money Loan Closed

Riverside, California hard money loan closed by The Norris Group private lending. Real estate investor received loan for $85,000 on a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home appraised for $135,000.

California Real Estate Investor Events:

Bruce Norris of The Norris Group will be at the Advanced Investing Skills and Strategies 2.5 on 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:

The NAR claimed pending home sales increased 2% in December 2010. Statistics from Freddie Mac showed mortgage rates increased to 4.8% the week of January 22, 2011. According to the Labor Department, initial jobless claims climbed nearly 12.7% the previous week. The MLS reported sales of existing houses and condos totaled $15.5 billion in 2010.

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 1/12/12

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Today’s News Synopsis:

In a big news story, foreclosures are at their lowest level since 2007, according to RealtyTrac.  Another thing at a record low right now is 30-year fixed mortgage rates, which are now at almost 4%.  Realty Times reported that Freddie Mac extended the forbearance for mortgage servicers.

In The News:

Bloomberg – “Home Seizures May Jump 25% This Year” (1-11-12)

“Banks may seize more than 1 million U.S. homes this year after legal scrutiny of their foreclosure practices slowed actions against delinquent property owners in 2011, RealtyTrac Inc. said.”

CNN Money - “Foreclosures fall to lowest level since 2007″ (1-12-12)

“Foreclosure filings and repossessions fell to their lowest level since 2007 last year.  Total filings, including default notices and bank repossessions were down 33% for the year to 2.7 million, according to RealtyTrac, the online marketer of foreclosed properties.”

Realty Times - “Longer Forbearance Option Helps Temporarily Struggling Homeowners” (1-12-12)

“If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, but can see a light at the end of the tunnel, don’t overlook the forbearance option.  Freddie Mac recently gave mortgage servicers of its loans authority to provide you with up to a year of forbearance – as much as four times the previous term.”

Bloomberg - “Mortgage Rates for 30-Year Fixed U.S. Loans Decline to Record Low of 3.89%” (1-12-12)

“Rates for 30-year U.S. mortgages fell to the lowest level on record after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke urged lawmakers to do more to revive housing.”

Housing Wire – “FICO warns mortgage, student loan delinquencies may rise” (1-12-12)

“Bank risk professionals believe Americans who are over leveraged on mortgage, student loan and credit card debt remain a risk to the broader economy, according to a FICO report.”

Inman - “Trulia offers agents insights into consumer behavior” (1-12-12)

“Trulia today launched a new subscription-based lead-generation service that provides real estate professionals with insight into the search preferences of visitors to the popular listing portal.”

Bloomberg - “Fed Detection of Housing Weakness in August 2006 Triggered Rate-Rise Pause” (1-12-12)

“Federal Reserve officials detected growing weakness in the U.S. housing market in August 2006, deciding to pause after a two-year campaign raising the benchmark interest rate.”

Housing Wire – “NeighborWorks invests $1.3 billion into rental homes” (1-12-12)

“NeighborWorks America, which finances community development around the country, invested more than $1.3 billion in rental housing over its fiscal year ending Sept. 30.”

DS News - “Foreclosures in Most of Top 20 Metros Decline From Past Two Years” (1-12-12)

“With Atlanta as the exception, all of the metro areas on RealtyTrac’s top 20 list for foreclosure rates in 2011 demonstrated declines in foreclosures from both of the previous two years.”

Hard Money Loan Closed

Riverside, California hard money loan closed by The Norris Group private lending. Real estate investor received loan for $92,000 on a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home appraised for $153,000.

California Real Estate Investor Events:

The Norris Group posted a new event. Bruce Norris will be speaking at the Apartment Owners Association-Discover Wealth Strategies for 2012 Los Angeles on January 12, 2012.

The Norris Group will be at the Women’s Council of Realtors on January 18, 2012.

Looking Back:

According to CoreLogic, in November 2010 the price of homes fell once again for the fourth month in a row.  Moody’s Investor Services reported a 79% increase in delinquncies for commercial mortgage-backed securities.  The Mortgage Banker’s Association also reported that applications for mortgage refinancing increased that week 2.2%.  Mortgage News Daily gave an update that the conventional 30-year fixed mortgage increased again to 4.875%.

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 10/24/11

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

A big story in the news is changes are being made to the refinancing program to help more homeowners who are underwater.  Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance reported the time it takes to approve a mortgage could now take up to 60 days as opposed to 30 originally.  Realty Times reported an increase in builder confidence this month.  In select states, foreclosed homes currently owned by HUD can be purchased at only a $100 down payment.

In The News:

MSNBC.com - “US announcs help for underwater homeowners” (10-24-11)

“A leading housing regulator on Monday announced changes to a government refinancing program that could help up to one million homeowners of the estimated 11 million whose homes are worth less than their mortgage.”

Housing Wire – “Clogged application process extends mortgage approval timelines” (10-24-11)

“The time it takes to approve a mortgage in the United States grew from an average of 30 days to between 45 and 60 days over the past month, according to the latest survey from Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance.”

Bloomberg - “CMBS Underwriting Standards ‘Worrisome’ as Sales Surged, Moody’s” (10-24-11)

“Lenders loosened terms on commercial mortgages originated to be packaged into bonds during the third quarter as sales of the securities surged, according to Moody’s Investors Service.”

Realty Times - “Real Estate Outlook: Builder Confidence Rises” (10-24-11)

“Builder confidence is up for the month of October thanks to renewed buyer interest in select markets. This is the largest one-month gain since April 2010 when renewed confidence from the home buyer tax credit was in full swing.”

DS News - “HUD Offers REO Homes for $100 Down in Select States” (10-24-11)

“HUD has approved a program aimed at putting foreclosed homes back into the hands of owner-occupant buyers.  In select states, from now into October of next year, buyers need a down payment of only $100 to purchase a HUD-owned REO home.”

San Francisco Chronicle - “Fed Wants to Ensure U.S. Housing Affordability, Dudley Says” (10-24-11)

“Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William C. Dudley said the central  bank wants to keep mortgage interest rates from rising too much and may do more  to hold down borrowing costs.”

O.C. Register – “Homebuying rises in 40 ZIPs!  Yours?” (10-24-11)

“For the 22 business days ending October 6 — DataQuick’s freshest stats — the Orange County real estate market had homebuying patterns showing: 24 of O.C.’s 83 ZIP codes with gains in their respective median selling price. Overall, buyers’ prices were -3.8% vs. a year ago.”

Housing Wire - “Stephens analyst expects LPS to top 3Q earnings estimates” (10-24-11)

“Lender Processing Services (LPS: 16.55 +7.47%) should easily beat third-quarter earnings forecasts after benefiting from improved foreclosure and mortgage metrics, according to one analyst at Stephens Inc.”

Los Angeles Times - “California housing agency forcing foreclosures” (10-24-11)

“A state agency that provides low-interest mortgages is foreclosing on a small number of clients even though they are making their monthly payments, a state Senate watchdog group reported.  The California Housing Finance Agency is foreclosing on homes because their financially strapped owners temporarily rent them out and move into cheaper rental properties, the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes said Monday.”

Inman - “Home Affordable Refinancing Program revamped to boost refis” (10-24-11)

“In an attempt to boost participation in the Obama administration’s  mortgage refinance program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will release  lenders who sign off on a refinanced loan from some legal liabilities  associated with the original loan.”

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 event 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 10/6/11

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

According to the Orange County Register, home prices in California dropped 6.2% year-over-year in August from last year.  However, for the whole United States home prices dropped .4% month-over-month from July to August, the first drop in prices CoreLogic has reported in four months.  Rates on a 30-year mortgage dipped below 4%, according to Bloomberg.

In The News:

Housing Wire - “3Q house prices up but Clear Capital predicts 2012 dip” (10-6-11)

“Home prices rose nationally 3.5% in the third quarter over the previous quarter, according to the latest home data index from Clear Capital.”

Bloomberg - “30-Year Mortgage Rates in U.S. Fall Below 4%” (10-6-11)

“Mortgage rates in the U.S. fell, sending longer-term borrowing costs below 4 percent for the first time on record, as stricter credit standards and the slowing economy hold back a housing rebound.”

O.C. Register - “Calif. home prices off 6.2%, 7th worst drop” (10-6-11)

“California home prices fell 6.2 percent in the year ending in August, 7th biggest drop among the states, according to new data from CoreLogic.”

NAHB - “Number of Improving Housing Markets Nearly Doubles in October” (10-6-11)

“The second edition of the National Association of Home Builders/ First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today, shows 23 individual housing markets now qualifying as “improving” under the new gauge’s parameters. This is nearly double the 12 housing markets that made the list last month.”

DS News - “Congress Scrutinizes Federal Housing Programs” (10-6-11)

“Several Federal housing programs came under attack during a hearing Thursday morning titled “The Obama Administration’s Response to the Housing Crisis’.”

Realty Times - “Remodeling Double-dip Offers Opportunity for Homeowners” (10-6-11)

“Remodeling is suffering a double dip in sales, not unlike the double dip in home prices, but just as it’s a good time to buy an affordable home, it’s a good time to budget for and negotiate a home improvement deal.”

Housing Wire – “Homeownership rate at lowest level in 70 years” (10-6-11)

“The U.S. homeownership rate in 2010 fell to the lowest level in 70 years, dropping to 65.1%, down from 66.2% in 2000, according to data from the Census Bureau.”

DS News – “CoreLogic Records First Drop in Home Prices in Four Months” (10-6-11)

“Home prices in the U.S. slipped 0.4 percent between July and August, CoreLogic reported Thursday. It marks the first time in four months the company’s index has recorded a decline.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, the National League of Cities expected city property-tax revenues to decrease 1.8% in 2010. The IMF believed a double-dip in real estate was possible. A new program from HUD allowed delinquent borrowers, who were unemployed or suffering from a severe medical condition, to receive up to $50,000 at a 0% interest rate. The monthly ADP National Employment Report showed the private sector lost 39,000 jobs in September 2010.

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 event 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 10/5/11

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

According to the latest survey released by the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage applications are down 4.3% from last week.  Housing Wire reported the number of job cuts for the month of September were at the highest they had been at in two years, having doubled from the month of August.  Members of NAR and other leaders in the real estate industry met together with the Progressive Policy Institute and Economic Policies for the 21st Century to discuss ways to help the economy recover.

In The News:

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications, except Government Refinances, Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (10-5-11)

“Mortgage applications decreased 4.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending September 30, 2011.”

Bloomberg – “BofA May Face Fraud Claims for Soured Loans” (10-5-11)

“Bank of America Corp. (BAC) should face fraud proceedings after its Countrywide unit submitted faulty data to back up claims for reimbursement on federally insured mortgages, according to an audit by a U.S. watchdog.”

DS News – “Fannie Mae Opens Mortgage Help Center in St. Louis” (10-5-11)

“Fannie Mae has opened up a new Mortgage Help Center in St. Louis, Missouri, to provide free education and counseling services to struggling homeowners.”

Housing Wire – “Private mortgage modifications perform worse than HAMP” (10-5-11)

“Mortgage modifications completed through private bank programs redefaulted at a rate nearly twice as high as the government’s.  More than 34% of the 129,000 private workouts completed in the first quarter of 2010 went two months without a payment within the first 12 months, according to recent data from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.”

Inman – “CoreLogic shutting down LeadClick” (10-5-11)

“Real estate information, analytics and services provider CoreLogic says it’s closing down the company’s marketing services business and will write off $140 million in goodwill and assets associated with it.”

Los Angeles Times - “More borrowers gain permanent mortgage relief in August” (10-5-11)

“The number of borrowers who received permanent aid through the Obama administration’s signature foreclosure relief program ticked up slightly in August.  ”

Housing Wire - “Planned job cuts more than double in September” (10-5-11)

“The number of announced job cuts in September more than doubled from the prior month, climbing to the highest level in more than two years, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.”

Realtor Magazine - “‘Do No Harm’ Is Mantra at Housing Solutions Conference” (10-5-11)

“The Progressive Policy Institute and Economic Policies for the 21st Century, two policy institutions, hosted key members of Congress, NAR, and other housing industry leaders and policy strategists at the New Solutions for America’s Housing Crisis event in Washington, D.C., yesterday to devise ways to spur the housing market and in turn get the U.S. economy back on a solid growth path.”

NAHB - “‘Housing is Key to Job Creation, Economic Recovery” (10-5-11)

“Discussions on the need to restore the nation’s languishing housing market in order to rouse job creation from anemic levels and boost economic growth has been prominent this week in congressional testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and in newspapers across the country, leaving many wondering when leaders in Washington will take action to address this problem.”

DS News – “Industry Responds to Government’s Request for REO Rental Ideas” (10-5-11)

“With an estimated 250,000 foreclosed homes on Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s books, the government is considering inventive ways to divulge excess inventory and return stability to the housing market.”

Looking Back:

CAR predicted the housing market would require a more lengthy amount of time to recover. Trepp reported CMBS delinquencies increased to 9.05% in September 2010. Zillow claimed California’s 30-year mortgage rate decreased to 4.18%.

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 event 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 9/13/11

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

According to Housingwire, Freddie Mac just completed a new modification option they will make available at the beginning of October that will allow mortgage servicers to more closely evaluate those eligible for the HAMP program.  Bloomberg reported the number of people who owed more than the worth of their property decreased, but this was due to the increase in foreclosures the second quarter.  Foreclosures are especially seeing increases in the western states.

In The News:

Bloomberg - “U.S. Homeowners ‘Underwater’ on Mortgages Drop as Foreclosures Increase” (9-13-11)

“The number of U.S. homeowners who owe more than their property is worth slipped in the second quarter as more residences were lost to foreclosure, according to a report today from CoreLogic Inc. (CLGX).”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac finalizes new modification option” (9-13-11)

“Freddie Mac finalized requirements for a new modification option that will be made available to qualified borrowers on Oct. 1.”

DS News - “Fannie Mae Opens Sacramento Mortgage Help Center” (9-13-11)

“Fannie Mae last week opened a mortgage help center in Sacramento, California, to provide free education and counseling services to struggling local homeowners with Fannie Mae-owned mortgages.”

Inman - “Foreclosure starts surge in Western states” (9-13-11)

“Foreclosure starts jumped by double digits from July to August in four out of five Western states tracked by ForeclosureRadar, reversing what had been a declining trend over the past several months, the company said.”

Los Angeles Times - “FDIC approves ruling requiring ‘living wills’ for largest banks” (9-13-11)

“The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Tuesday approved a rule requiring the nation’s largest banks to submit “living wills” to help regulators shut them down in an orderly way if they are seized on the brink of failure.”

Housing Wire – “JPMorgan Chase brings $1 billion CMBS to market” (9-13-11)

“JPMorgan Chase (JPM: 32.49 +0.22%) is coming to market with $1 billion of commercial mortgage-backed securities to the market containing 44 loans on 209 properties, according to the pre-sale report from credit rating agency
Morningstar.”

DS News - “Government Guarantees Called Into Question at Senate Hearing” (9-13-11)

“The Senate Banking Committee held a hearing Tuesday on housing finance reform, the first of three housing-related hearings on the agenda this week. The issue of government guarantees for mortgages came under fire.”

Bloomberg - “Morgan Stanley’s Multi Gets $1.2 Billion Loan Package, New Chief Executive” (9-13-11)

“Multi Corp. BV, the European mall developer that’s 85 percent owned by a Morgan Stanley (MS) fund, named a new chief executive officer as it announced a new 850 million-euro ($1.16 billion) financing package.”

Realtor Magazine - “Home Sale Delays from Irene Still Plague East Coast” (9-13-11)

“Closings on thousands of homes under contract from North Carolina to New York City are being delayed, put on hold in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Banks and lenders are requesting new inspections of homes that are currently sold, wanting to ensure the homes in Hurricane Irene’s path were not damaged and are still at the value they were originally appraised at.”

Inman – “Startup rolls out ‘apartment matching engine’” (9-13-11)

“Apartment hunters and technology aficionados, take note: Vertical Brands, a San Francisco-based startup, this week officially launched what it claims is the “first online apartment matching engine.”

Looking Back:

Many predictions were being made regarding the economy and the housing market. Most of the articles had an overall positive outlook on the economy, while most had a negative outlook for the housing market. New delinquencies decreased 8.5% in August 2010. As far as September 2010, the FDIC said 119 banks failed so far.

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 event 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 9/1/11

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Inman News reported that mortgage rates have reached a record low.  As an easier and faster way to check appraisal reports early on, Government sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are planning to set up a new database for appraisers to submit their appraisal reports for selling mortgages.  And DS News reported that Nevada AG is planning to withdraw from its settlement with Bank of America reached back in 2008.

In The News:

Housing Wire – “Treasury withholds HAMP funds from BofA, Chase again” (9-1-11)

“The Treasury Department will withhold payments once again to Bank of America (BAC: 7.91 -3.18%) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM: 36.30 -3.35%) for their poor performance modifying mortgages in the second quarter.”

Inman - “Mortgage rates hover around all-time lows” (9-1-11)

“Mortgage rates remained at or near historic lows this week on continued weak economic and housing data, Freddie Mac said in releasing the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey.”

DS News - “Nevada AG Moves to Withdraw from 2008 Countrywide Settlement” (9-1-11)

“Nevada is asking to be cut loose from a multi-state settlement agreement reached in October 2008 with Bank of America following its acquisition of Countrywide just four months earlier.”

Bloomberg - “Goldman Will Pay Penalties, Alter Practices to Win Approval of Litton Sale” (9-1-11)

“Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) agreed to pay future Federal Reserve penalties and write down $53 million of mortgage loans in New York to gain approval for its sale of Litton Loan Servicing LP.”

Rismedia - “Foreclosures Now Take 20 Months” (9-1-11)

“The average home entering the foreclosure process today won’t house new owners until the next president has been inaugurated and in office for three months.”

Housing Wire – “New GSE appraisal database to tighten scrutiny on mortgage lenders” (9-1-11)

“Appraisers began submitting electronic property data for mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under new guidelines that took effect Thursday.”

Realtor Magazine - “Man Found Squatting in $2 Million Home” (9-1-11)

“Police are warning that squatters are getting more clever, even presenting fake deeds to try to prove ownership of a property without ever paying a dime.  A Raleigh, N.C., man was recently arrested and faces several charges for allegedly squatting for at least seven months in a home valued at nearly $2 million and filing a fake deed and paperwork with the county, according to police.”

Rismedia - “Home Prices Could Drop in Fall” (9-1-11)

“With an uptick in June, home prices in major U.S. cities have recorded three consecutive months of gains. But the glimmer of improvement is almost certainly seasonal in nature, real estate experts say, and prices could begin to fall again when the slower sales season begins.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, the MBA’s weekly survey showed mortgage applications increased 2.7% the week of August 30, 2010. SB1275, the foreclosure/modification bill, was rejected by congress in a 36-30 vote. Fannie Mae’s new rule regarding appraisal cutting took effect on this day. Construction spending decreased 1 percent in July 2010, according to the Commerce Department.

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 event 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 8/10/11

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Rismedia reported the rate for 15-year fixed loans is now at 3.54%, lowest it has been in 20 years.  HOPE NOW recently released data showing both mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure sales decreased this year.  Bloomberg also reported a decrease in home prices in 75% of metropolitan areas in the U.S.  Median prices also decreased for single-family existing homes, according to Inman. 

In The News:

Housing Wire - “Obama administration expects new push for REO rentals” (8-10-11)

“The Obama administration will begin working on new strategies for how to better sell previously foreclosed homes held by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration, which may include renting more REO.”

Rismedia - “Rates on15-Year Fixed Lowest Ever Recorded” (8-10-11)

“The average rate for a 15-year fixed loan dropped to 3.54 percent last week from 3.66 percent the week before, according to Freddie Mac—the lowest result since 1991.”

DS News - “HOPE NOW: Delinquencies and Foreclosure Starts Decline” (8-10-11)

“Mortgage delinquencies declined 27 percent in the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010, according to data from HOPE NOW.  For the first half of 2011, the number of 60 day plus delinquencies was 2.7 million, down 1 million from the first half of 2010.”

Bloomberg - “Home Prices Decline in Almost Three-Fourths of U.S. Metropolitan Areas” (8-10-11)

“Home values fell in almost three- fourths of U.S. cities in the second quarter as foreclosures that sell at cut-rate prices devalued real estate.  The median price of a single-family home declined in 109 metropolitan areas out of 150 measured, the National Association of Realtors said in a report today.”

Realty Times - “Low Mortgage Rates Survive Debt Crisis and U.S. Downgrade” (8-10-11)

“Things have been quite active this past week with the debt ceiling crisis coming to an end last Tuesday when an agreement was finally reached at the last minute. By the end of the week, Standard and Poor’s went ahead and downgraded the U.S. credit rating. Although the stock market is dropping, low mortgage rates have survived both the debt crisis and U.S. downgrade.”

Mortgage Bankers Association - “Mortgage Applications Increase Significantly, Driven by Surge in Refinance Activity” (8-10-11)

“Mortgage applications increased 21.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 5, 2011.  The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 21.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.”

Inman - “Median real estate prices drop in nearly 3 of 4 metros in Q2″ (8-10-11)

“Median sales prices for existing single-family homes fell in the second quarter in the vast majority of metropolitan areas covered by the National Association of Realtors in its latest quarterly report.”

Housing Wire – “BofA marks down billions from Countrywide portfolio” (8-10-11)

“Bank of America (BAC: 6.77 -10.92%) has been forced to mark down billions of dollars worth of the troublesome Countrywide Financial Corp. mortgage portfolio since acquiring it in early 2008.”

Los Angeles Times - “Treasury sells 10-year notes at record low yield as buyers pour in” (8-10-11)

“The continuing global stock market panic is the gift that keeps on giving to the U.S. Treasury.  Despite the U.S. credit-rating downgrade by Standard & Poor’s last week, the Treasury on Wednesday saw huge demand when it sold $24 billion in new 10-year notes.”

Realtor Magazine - “Fed to Keep Interest Rates Low Until 2o13″ (8-10-11)

“In an unusual step, the Federal Reserve vowed Tuesday to keep interest rates low for at least the next two years.  The Fed said it’ll keep its key benchmark interest rate near zero through mid-2013. The Fed’s commitment was welcome news to many in the real estate industry who see it as a positive move for the housing industry, allowing buyers more time to take advantage of ultra low mortgage rates.”

Looking Back:

The new FHA short refinancing program provided additional refinancing options to underwater homeowners starting Sept. 7, 2010. According to Integrated Asset Services, nationwide home prices increased 1.1% in the second quarter of 2010. Zillow reported California’s then current rate on 30-year mortgages was 4.34%. CoreLogic estimated that short sales in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas would cost lenders $310m in unnecessary losses in 2010.

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 8/5/11

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Sources:
Homeownership Rate Drops to 13-Year Low
June Pending Home Sales Rise
Mortgage Applications Increase, But Still Low in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Job growth slows and layoffs rise to 16-month high, reports say
Home prices edge up in June, but fail to meet 2010 levels
Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest of the Year
Senate steps toward new mortgage servicing standard
Key US markets with “pending” signs of life
House legislation would launch FDIC investigation
RealtyTrac Tool Provides Targeted Lists of Defaults, Auctions, and REOs
Investors charge ahead with another reps and warranties case against BofA
S&P: Trouble Ahead for PMI Mortage Insurance Co.

Today’s News Synopsis:

This week’s video gives the news of the week in the world of real estate and other big events. PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. has suffered severe financial losses and therefore may have to cut back on writing insurance policies.  DS News reported the unemployment rate is now at 9.1%.  Bank of America has reached a settlement with HUD to give loan modifications to 57,000 borrowers whose loans were not handled properly.

In The News:

Bloomberg- “Debt Restructuring Would Spur Growth: Reinhart” (8-5-11)

“A restructuring of U.S. household debt, including debt forgiveness for low-income Americans, would be most effective in speeding economic growth, said Carmen Reinhart, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.”

Housing Wire – “HAMP mortgage mods reaching permanent status faster” (8-5-11)

“Homeowners who entered into a Home Affordable Modification Program trial within the last year were transferred into a permanent workout almost two months faster than those who entered the program earlier.”

DS News – “Unemployment Rate Slips to 9.1%” (8-5-11)

“After heading higher for three straight months, the nation’s unemployment rate declined to 9.1 percent in July, down from 9.2 percent in June, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. The economy added 117,000 jobs last month.”

Inman - “Private mortgage insurers face uncertainty” (8-5-11)

“Cracks are again appearing in the foundations of the private mortgage insurance business, as companies that insure home loans with down payments of less than 20 percent for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac face rising claims and continue to struggle for market share against government-backed FHA and VA programs.”

Realty Times - “Consumers, real estate pros tap shift to rentals” (8-5-11)

“Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing mortgage rates dropping sharply amid falling bond yields and signs of a weaker than expected economy.”

Los Angeles Times - “Construction employment hits 15-month high in July” (8-5-11)

“Another reason to not declare the end of the world as we know it, yet: Construction employment climbed last month, hitting a 15-month high, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.”

Housing Wire - “Obama administration July housing scorecard sends mixed signals” (8-5-11)

“The nation’s housing market experienced an uptick in home prices this summer, but remains constrained by declines in home values in foreclosures and distressed real estate, the Obama Administration said in its July Housing Scorecard report.”

San Francisco Chronicle - “Is The Housing Bubble Over?” (8-5-11)

“For most parts of the U.S., the housing bubble peaked in 1996 and prices have steadily declined ever since. The amount of decline has varied by city and state, driven by several factors such as job losses, demographics and the magnitude of run-up in prices.”

Realtor Magazine – “S&P: Trouble Ahead for PMI Mortage Insurance Co.” (8-5-11)

“PMI warned that it may have to stop writing insurance policies in 16 states due to the company’s severe financial losses.  On Thursday, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the PMI Group and its subsidiary PMI Mortgage Insurance Co.’s credit and financial strength rating, giving it a negative outlook due to the company’s steep losses in recent months.”

DS News – “BofA to Pursue Loss Mitigation Under HUD Settlement” (8-5-11)

“Bank of America and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have reached a settlement regarding 57,000 delinquent government-issued mortgages serviced by the bank.”

Looking Back:

Freddie Mac reported 30-year fixed mortgage rates fell below 4.5%. Home prices increased 8.1% from this time in 2009, according to Clear Capital. Statistics from the Department of Labor showed initial unemployment insurance claims rose 19,000 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 7/8/11

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Sources:

Rents Rise, Vacancies Go Down

Nation’s Unemployment Rate Rise to 9.2%

Joint Hearing Held on Federal Regulation of Mortgage Servicing

Washington Mutual Reaches $208.5 Million Settlement

Treasury to reward servicers for quicker mortgage modifications

NAHB Study Finds Loan Limit Declines a Discouraging Prospect for Recovering Housing Market

Today’s News Synopsis:

In this week’s video, Aaron Norris of The Norris Group gives the news of the week in the world of real estate and other big events. The Los Angeles Times reported unemployment increased 9.2%.  Housing Wire reported a hearing for a proposed bill that would count modified mortgages as performing loans.  DS News reported Bank of America may be facing a lawsuit for not utilizing HAMP to help several homeowners. 

In The News:

Bloomberg- “Vacancies at U.S. Shopping Centers Climb After Holding Steady for a Year” (7-8-11)

“Vacancies at U.S. shopping centers rose for the first time in a year in the second quarter as retail properties lagged behind the rebound by offices and apartments, according to Reis Inc. (REIS) Regional mall vacancies climbed to the highest level on record.”

Los Angeles Times - “U.S. unemploymnet rate rises to 9.2%, raising doubts about recovery” (7-8-11)

“The U.S. employment picture went from bad to ugly in June as employers added almost no new net jobs and the unemployment rate edged up for the third straight month, to 9.2%.”

Housing Wire - “Legislation would allow modified mortgage to count as performing loan” (7-8-11)

“The House Financial Services Committee heard testimony from lenders and regulators Friday on a proposed bill that would allow banks to count recently modified mortgages as accrual loans on their balance sheets – meaning the loan can be counted on to be repaid.”

DS News - “Bank of America Faces Lawsuit Over Denied HAMP Modifications” (7-8-11)

“A judge has denied Bank of America’s motion to dismiss a case involving tens of thousands of homeowners who claim the bank denied them help through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).”

Realty Times - “30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Rises to 4.60 Percent” (7-8-11)

“Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). After changing little over the past month, both long- and short-term mortgage rates followed Treasury yields higher this week. The 30-year fixed averaged 4.60 percent, and the 15-year fixed averaged 3.75 percent.”

Inman – “LPS unveills new home-price index” (7-8-11)

“The applied analytics arm of loan data aggregator Lender Processing Services Inc. has launched a home-price index, LPS announced Thursday.”

Housing Wire - “FHA program to help underwater borrowers quietly stumbles” (7-8-11)

“An $8 billion program launched by the Federal Housing Administration in September to help underwater borrowers refinance into a new mortgage has quietly sputtered out of the gate.”

DS News - “South Florida’s New ForeclosureFilings Fall 51% in Second Quarter” (7-8-11)

“During the second quarter of 2011, foreclosure actions plunged by 51 percent in the tri-county South Florida region compared to the same three-month period in 2010, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.”

Looking Back:

Freddie Mac announced the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 4.57 percent. International Monetary Fund warned a double dip recession was still possible, despite its prediction that GDP would increase over the next year. Fitch Ratings predicted home improvement spending would increase 3.5% in 2010. Clear Capital reports national housing prices rose 5.2% during the last quarter of 2010.

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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