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By Bruce Norris .

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Los Angeles Times – “Tax rule that would’ve hurt small business is repealed” (4-6-11)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 3/31/11

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The Office of Thrift Supervision reports serious delinquencies decreases in the 4th quarter of 2010. Riverside was pronounced to be the most likely city to experience further economic trouble. Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations increased 88% in the last few months of 2010. Fannie Mae’s mortgage portfolio decreased by 15% in February.

In The News:

CNN - “JPMorgan’s Dimon: No mortgage writedowns” (3-31-11)

“The head of JPMorgan Chase said Wednesday that banks would not consider writing down mortgages for homeowners who can make payments, an idea at the center of talks aimed at fixing the mortgage mess.”

Housing Wire - “Chief risk officer Bob Ryan to head up FHA” (3-31-11)

“The Department of Housing and Urban Development tapped Bob Ryan, formerly the chief risk officer at the Federal Housing Administration as its acting commissioner, replacing David Stevens. Stevens departs the FHA Thursday and will run the Mortgage Bankers Association.”

Housing Wire – “Fannie Mae’s gross mortgage portfolio drops 15.2%” (3-31-11)

“Fannie Mae said its gross mortgage portfolio fell at a compound annualized rate of 15.2% in February, while the government-sponsored enterprise’s entire book of business fell 0.7%.”

Housing Wire - “Jobless claims drop slightly for a third consecutive week” (3-31-11)

“The number of initial jobless claims filed by unemployed Americans fell to 388,000 in the week ending March 26, down from last week’s upwardly revised figure of 394,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.”

Office of Thrift Supervision – “Mortgage Performance Slightly Better in Fourth Quarter of 2010; Serious Delinquencies Drop for the Fourth Consecutive Quarter” (3-31-11)

“The quarterly report by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision showed that 87.6 percent of the 32.9 million loans in the portfolio were current and performing at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010.”

Mortgage Orb – “Legislation Dismantles GSEs Piecemeal-Style” (3-30-11)

“Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee have introduced eight targeted bills that, taken together, aim to reduce the government’s involvement in housing and spark a resurgence among private capital.”

Yahoo - “Cities Where Things are Getting Worse” (3-29-11)

“Six California cities claim spots on our list of Cities Where The Economy May Get Worse. Riverside took the number one spot, thanks to a high unemployment rate (13.9%) coupled with weak job growth, a hefty number of mortgage loans 90 days or more delinquent (8.21% of all loans) and a projected migration pattern that finds 4,000 residents expected to leave the area this year.”

Housing Wire – “Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations up 88%” (3-31-11)

“Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations grew 88% in the fourth quarter of 2010 when compared to 4Q 2009, the Mortgage Bankers Association said in its Fourth Quarter Commercial Real Estate-Multifamily Finance Quarterly Report.”

Housing Wire – “Barney Frank says mortgage interest tax deduction is safe” (3-31-11)

“Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said at a House subcommittee hearing Thursday that the mortgage interest tax deduction would be safe. Currently, interest on a mortgage taken out to buy or improve a home can be fully deducted if the amount of the loan is less than $1 million for married couples and $500,000 for singles. Home equity loans taken out for anything else is limited to $100,000 for couples and $50,000 for singles.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac mortgage interest rates inch up this week” (3-31-11)

“The government-sponsored enterprise said its primary mortgage market survey showed the average rate for a 30-year, fixed mortgage rose to 4.86% for the week ending Thursday from 4.81% a week earlier. The average rate for a 15-year, fixed mortgage increased to 4.09% from 4.04 the prior week, according to the Freddie Mac survey.”

Housing Wire – “Judge dismisses securities fraud case against Freddie” (3-31-11)

“A federal district court judge in New York dismissed a lawsuit filed by Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund and National Elevator Industry Pension Plan — two Freddie investors, who allege Freddie mislead a class of investors after experiencing a $2 billion loss for the third quarter of 2007 by ‘materially misrepresenting Freddie’s exposure to risky mortgage products.’”

Looking Back:

One year ago, Mortgage loan application volume increased by 1.3 percent from the previous week. Vacation home sales increased by 7.9 percent in 2009.  Fannie Mae reported the percentage of seriously delinquent loans increased to 5.52% in January. FHA allowed mortgages to borrowers who sold their residence under short-sale provisions and then purchase a new home without the standard 3 year wait.

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 3/30/11

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The NAR said vacation home sales accounted for 10% of all transactions in 2010. A new proposal may force lenders to allow short sales for delinquent homeowners. The House voted 252 to 170 end funding for HAMP. CoreLogic estimates there are 1.8 million homes in the shadow inventory.

In The News:

NAR - “Vacation- and Investment-Home Shares Hold Even in 2010″ (3-30-11)

“vacation-home sales accounted for 10 percent of transactions last year while the portion of investment sales was 17 percent, both unchanged from 2009.”

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (3-30-11)

“Mortgage applications decreased 7.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 25, 2011.”

Los Angeles Times – “Proposed settlement would force banks to allow short sales for delinquent homeowners” (3-30-11)

“Major banks may be forced to let severely delinquent homeowners sell their houses for less than the loan amounts owed as part of a broad settlement of federal and state investigations into botched foreclosure paperwork, according to government officials involved in the negotiations.”

CNN - “House votes to kill Obama mortgage plan” (3-30-11)

“The House voted 252 to 170 to stop any new funding for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Eleven Democrats joined Republicans to defund the program.”

Housing Wire – “Job gains barely beat estimates on the long road back to pre-recession levels” (3-30-11)

“While the economy gained 201,000 private sector jobs last month, those additions are not enough to set the pace for a rapid economic or housing recovery, analysts say.”

Bloomberg - “Lenders Could Get Exemptions Under New Risk-Retention Rule” (3-30-11)

“U.S. regulators proposed exempting banks and bond issuers who meet high underwriting standards from rules requiring them to keep a stake in loans they securitize, according to a draft proposal.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Home ‘Shadow Inventory’ Totals Nine Months of Supply, CoreLogic Says” (3-30-11)

“About 1.8 million homes that are delinquent or in foreclosure loom as additional supply for the struggling U.S. housing market, according to CoreLogic Inc.”

Housing Wire – “CBO drops estimate of TARP cost to $19 billion” (3-30-11)

“The Troubled Asset Relief Program will end up costing taxpayers $19 billion, according to the latest estimate Wednesday from the Congressional Budget Office.”

Housing Wire – “‘Too big to fail’ legacy lives on: Rosner” (3-30-11)

“government intervention in 2008 forced bank mergers and acquisitions, leaving the financial market in the control of the nation’s largest financial firms.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, national home prices decreased by 0.7 percent from the previous year. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac estimated that mortgage rates would rise less than a quarter of a percentage point in the next three months. Interest rates on conventional 30-year FRMs increased to 5.13% in February 2010. The US Treasury Department announced it would allocate $600 million to HFA for foreclosure prevention programs in California, Florida, Arizona, Michigan and Nevada.

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 3/29/11

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The Associated General Contractors of America reports California ranked 18th in year over year economic improvement. According to LPS, Option ARM foreclosures currently represent 18.8% of foreclosure inventory. The Congressional Oversight Panel estimates HAMP will avert only 800,000 foreclosures. Statistics from S&P shows home prices decreased 3.1% year over year.

In The News:

Sign On San Diego – “California construction jobs up in February” (3-29-11)

“California added 15,500 construction jobs from January to February, far outpacing all other states. But it still ranks 18th in year-over-year improvement, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.”

CNN - “Home prices near a double dip” (3-29-11)

“January home prices fell for the sixth month in a row, edging closer to a double dip. The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index covering 20 major markets fell 3.1% year-over-year, hovering near the market’s bottom set in April 2009.”

Housing Wire – “House Democrats give Geithner plan to revamp HAMP” (3-29-11)

“the Congressional Oversight Panel estimates HAMP will avert only 800,000 foreclosures before the program ends, far short of the 3 million to 4 million originally estimated.”

Mercury News – “As gas, food prices rise, consumer confidence falls” (3-29-11)

“The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell more than expected to 63.4 from a revised 72.0 in February. Economists expected a decline to 65.4, according to FactSet. A reading of 90 indicates a healthy economy.”

Housing Wire – “Foreclosure inventory volume outpacing actual foreclosure sales: LPS” (3-29-11)

“Another significant shift occurred in February with data showing a 23% hike in Option ARM foreclosures in the past six months. Option ARM foreclosures now make up 18.8% of the foreclosure inventory, outpacing subprime foreclosures.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Treasury to Publicly Grade Mortgage Servicers Over Loan Modifications” (3-29-11)

“The U.S. Treasury Department plans to publicly grade mortgage servicers on how well they respond to homeowners seeking reductions in payments as the government encourages loan modifications to stem foreclosures.”

Housing Wire – “Average national mortgage rate rose in February: FHFA” (3-29-11)

“The average national contract mortgage rate for the purchase of previously occupied homes by combined lenders hit 4.79% in February, up 0.8% from the previous month, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Tuesday.”

Housing Wire – “Regulators vote for 20% down on QRM” (3-29-11)

“Federal regulators voted in favor of the initial mortgage risk-retention proposal Tuesday. Qualified residential mortgages exempt from the rule will require a 20% down payment.”

DSNews - “House Republicans Introduce Eight Bills to Speed Wind-Down of GSEs” (3-29-11)

“The eight proposals include measures to raise guarantee fees the GSEs will charge for mortgage-backed securities they insure and to prevent the GSEs from offering any new products while they are under conservatorship or receivership.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, a study from USC showed that immigrants were more attracted to mid-size cities. Goodman claimed HAMP was bound to fail because of its failure to address negative equity. According to Realpoint, the delinquency rate among commercial mortgage-backed securities reached 6 percent within a month. First American CoreLogic estimated the average home experiencing negative equity would not obtain positive equity until late 2015.

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 3/25/11

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Sources:
California incomes rose 2.5% in 2010
February Existing-Home Sales Decline following Sustained Gains
New-Home Sales Hit Record Low in February
California pending home sales, distressed sales rise in February
California Housing Production Continues Decline in February, CBIA Announces
Housing raises US recession alert
U.S. Commercial Property Prices Fell for Second Straight Month in January
Stress tests suggest economy may slide back into crisis: IRA
FDIC Files Lawsuit Against Former WaMu Execs and Wives

Today’s News Synopsis:

RadarLogic claims national home prices declined 3.8% in December. California added 100,000 jobs in February. Freddie Mac completed 23,017 loan modifications in January and February. Jerry Brown’s bid to dissolve around 400 redevelopment agencies may make a come back in a compromise on tax increases.

In The News:

Los Angeles Times – “California adds nearly 100,000 jobs in February” (3-25-11)

“A hiring surge led the California’s hallmark industries – high-tech, movies and tourism – generated nearly 100,000 new jobs in February and provided the surest sign yet that the state economy is on the mend. The seasonally adjusted jump in the number of people working to 96,500 was the highest monthly increase since the current record system began in 1990, state officials said.”

Housing Wire – “January home prices drop to a four-year low” (3-25-11)

“RadarLogic said an oversupply of homes, high rates of mortgage defaults, tighter lending standards and a housing market riddled with foreclosures weighed down January prices. The index, which tracks home prices across 25 major markets, declined 3.8% between December and January and 3.4% year-over-year.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac completes 23,000 loan mods, single-family delinquency rate drops” (3-25-11)

“Freddie Mac completed 23,017 loan modifications during the first two months of 2011 and said single-family delinquencies on mortgages held or backed by the GSE dropped in February.”

DSNews - “SEC Rules Banks Must Allow Audit of Foreclosure Practices” (3-25-11)

“The NYC Pension Funds called for an audit of the banks’ practices in November and again in January to no avail, but this week the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruled that the request from the shareholders must be upheld.”

Housing Wire – “Broker compensation rule captures more heat in federal court” (3-25-11)

“the final rule not only prohibits loan originators from arranging loan terms that result in higher consumer costs, the same prohibition applies to offering consumers lower cost mortgage loans to meet competition and to save the consumer money.”

Bloomberg - “California Redevelopment Agencies May Be Back in the Shadow of the Gallows” (3-25-11)

“California Governor Jerry Brown’s bid to dissolve about 400 redevelopment agencies and use their revenue for schools and local government may be resurrected in a compromise on tax increases to close the budget deficit, according to a fiscal adviser to the Senate’s top Democrat.”

Looking Back:

New rules for the HAMP program may require servicers to screen borrowers for modification after only 31 days of delinquency. ForeclosureListings.com shows that California experienced an 11.9% increase in foreclosures. Freddie Mac reports the 30-year FRM rate is currently at 4.99 percent. According to the Comptroller of the Currency,  the re-default rate for modified loans is over 50 percent.

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 3/11/11

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Sources:
Underwater mortgages rise as home prices fall
Foreclosure activity slows sharply in February
FHA Powers What’s Left of the Home Market
U.S. Budget Deficit Expanded to Monthly Record $222.5 Billion in February
NAHB Study: New Homes in 2015 will be Smaller, Greener and More Casual
Bank regulators push for principal write-downs
Proposed Servicer Settlement Met With Resistance
Obama threatens to veto bills killing foreclosure programs
House votes to end FHA Short Refi

Today’s News Synopsis:

The U.S. House voted 242-177 to cancel the Emergency Homeowner Loan Program. A new law will allow you to get your entire deduction in one year. Inman composed a list of ten real estate markets they believe will outperform others. Ginnie Mae guaranteed over $26.2 billion in mortgage-backed securities during February.

In The News:

Bloomberg - “U.S. House Votes to Cancel Emergency Homeowner Loan Program for Unemployed” (3-11-11)

“The U.S. House voted 242-177 to cancel a loan program for homeowners who have lost their jobs as Republicans move to eliminate funding for President Barack Obama’s anti-foreclosure efforts.”

Inman - “Don’t wait to deduct real estate equipment cost” (3-11-11)

“Section 179 doesn’t increase the total amount you can deduct, but it allows you to get your entire deduction in one year, rather than taking it a little at a time over the term of an asset’s useful life.”

Housing Wire – “S&P: CMBS loans originated in 2007 pose high potenial for losses” (3-11-11)

“The rating agency concluded the “loss risk level” for CMBS loans originated in 2011 will fall close to 2002 levels because of tighter underwriting conditions at the time of origination. The report estimates cumulative losses of about 2.5% for the 2002 vintage class of CMBS.”

Housing Wire – “Fed’s Dudley sees no reason to turn against QE2″ (3-11-11)

“William Dudley, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, believes there’s no reason to back down on expansionary monetary policies already implemented by the Fed. He also told a crowd attending a Queens Chamber of Commerce event Friday that the economy is recovering even as housing sector remains a weak spot.”

Inman - “A futile search for economic answers” (3-11-11)

“The 10-year Treasury note has traded under 3.4 percent resistance, and mortgages are sliding toward 4.75 percent, both tied with four-month lows.”

Inman - “SUMMARY: 10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2011″ (3-11-11)

“Inman News examined housing, economic and demographic data for metropolitan areas nationwide in compiling a list of 10 housing markets that are showing signs of strength and may outperform other housing markets in 2011 in several key metrics.”

Housing Wire – “Ginnie Mae guarantees top $26 billion in February” (3-11-11)

“Ginnie Mae guaranteed more than $26.2 billion in mortgage-backed securities in February.”

Housing Wire – “HUD calls ending foreclosure programs ‘irresponsible’” (3-11-11)

“The Emergency Homeowners Loan Program will provide relief to tens of thousands of families who are still struggling to make ends meet after the deepest economic recession and housing crisis in a generation”

Looking Back:

According to the MBA, the delinquency rate for CMBS increased by 1.63 percent during the last half of 2009. Statistics from RealtyTrac show that 2 percent fewer homes entered the foreclosure process in February. Nineteen percent of home listings experienced a price reduction since March 1st.

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 3/1/11

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The CBIA reports housing production decreased 56% from December, and the Commerce Department reports construction spending dropped 0.7%. A survey from Equity-Trax shows that short sales currently take around 4 to 9 months to complete. Lender Processing Services claims foreclosure starts fell 11.4% in January.

In The News:

CBIA - “California Housing Production Dips in January, CBIA Announces” (3-1-11)

“According to statistics compiled by the Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB), permits were pulled for 2,920 total housing units in January, down 5 percent from the same month a year ago and down 56 percent from December. Permits for single-family homes totaled 1,506, down 24 percent from January 2010 and down 55 percent from the previous month, while multifamily permits totaled 1,414, up 28 percent from a year ago but down 57 percent from December.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Construction Spending Falls on Slump in Commercial Works” (3-1-11)

“The 0.7 percent drop brought the value of all projects down to a $791.8 billion annual rate, the lowest since August, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Outlays on private non-residential works dropped 6.9 percent, the most since January 1994, which may in part reflect the influence of winter storms.”

Housing Wire – “Geithner wants Congress to act on Fannie, Freddie in next two years” (3-1-11)

“Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asked lawmakers Tuesday to pass legislation on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform within the next two years.”

Housing Wire – “Short sales still take too long on average, report says” (3-1-11)

“Seventy-one percent of agents surveyed in a new study conducted by data analytics firm Equi-Trax Asset Solutions said it takes four to nine months on average to finish a short sale. About 10% of the transactions take more than 10 months, and 18.3% are finalized within the preferred three-month time frame, the report concluded after surveying 600 real estate agents.”

Housing Wire – “Freddie Mac mortgage purchases down 23% in January” (3-1-11)

“Mortgage purchases and issuances at Freddie Mac fell to $38.8 billion in January, down from $49.7 billion in December, according to Freddie’s latest monthly loan volume summary.”

Housing Wire – “Commercial real estate brought down failed banks in February” (3-1-11)

“Of the nonperforming loans on the balance sheets of the 12 banks that failed in February, 72% were for commercial real estate, according to analytics firm Trepp.”

Housing Wire – “Mortgage lenders move more foreclosures back into delinquent bucket: LPS” (3-1-11)

“The number of foreclosure starts fell about 11.4% in January from a month earlier, but delinquency rates rose slightly because many lenders are moving loans out of foreclosure and back into the seriously delinquent category, according to Lender Processing Services”

Bloomberg - “Commercial-Property Deals May Double in U.S. as Blackstone Bets on Rebound” (3-1-11)

“Blackstone Group LP’s planned $9.4 billion purchase of U.S. shopping centers and Ventas Inc.’s proposed $5.7 billion buyout of a health-care real estate investment trust, one of two multi- billion dollar health care REIT deals announced yesterday, may mean a wave of commercial real estate acquisitions is coming as buyers regain confidence in the market.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, California officials considered implementing new builder fees. Home sales had generated $934 million from the previous year. Fannie mae lost 15.9 billion dollars during quarter 4 of 2009. Warren Buffet predicted the residential real estate market would begin to recover in 2011.

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 2/10/11

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Existing home sales increased 15.4% in the 4th quarter of 2010, according to the NAR.  Housing affordability for first-time buyers increased to 69% during the final quarter of 2010, said the CAR. RealtyTrac reports foreclosure filings fell 17% year over year. Kevin Warch resigned from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

In The News:

NAR - “Home Price Stabilization Seen in Most Metro Areas during Fourth Quarter, Sales Up” (2-10-11)

“Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, jumped 15.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 4.80 million in the fourth quarter from 4.16 million in the third quarter, but were 19.5 percent below a surge to an unsustainable cyclical peak of 5.97 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, which was driven by the initial deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit.”

CAR - “Q4 First-time Buyer Housing Affordability” (2-10-11)

“The percentage of first-time buyers who could afford to purchase an entry-level home in California rose to 69 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, matching the record-high set in the first quarter of 2009, according to C.A.R.’s First-time Buyer Housing Affordability Index (FTB-HAI). In the third quarter of 2010, the Index was 66 percent, and was 64 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, C.A.R. reported.”

Los Angeles Times – “Obama to outline options for future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac” (2-10-11)

“The Obama administration plans to give Congress three blueprints for reducing or eliminating the government’s role in guaranteeing mortgages and providing funding for home loans.”

Housing Wire – “Report: FHA should lower loan limits” (2-10-11)

“The Federal Housing Administration substantially raised its risk when it agreed to insure loans valued as high as $729,000 during the financial crisis, says a new report from the George Washington University Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis.”

Housing Wire – “CalHFA implements $2 billion ‘Keep Your Home California’ initiative” (2-10-11)

“California residents who are unemployed or owe more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth now have four new state programs that will help them stay in their house and current on their mortgage.”

Housing Wire – “Kevin Warsh resigns from Federal Reserve Board of Governors” (2-10-11)

“Kevin Warsh, one of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors that steered the nation through the recession, resigned Thursday after five years of service.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Foreclosure Filings Decline for Fourth Consecutive Month” (2-10-11)

“Foreclosure filings in the U.S. fell 17 percent in January from a year earlier, the fourth straight month of declines, as legal scrutiny of lender practices slowed actions against delinquent homeowners, RealtyTrac Inc. said.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, the MBA reported that mortgage application volume decreased by 1.2 percent within a week. According to the NAHB, there were approximately 234,000 homes for sale at the end of 2009. Statistics from Zillow showed that the national median price was $186,200 in Q409 of 2009. The total number of FHA-insured single-family mortgages in default reached 531,671 in Q409 of 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 2/2/11

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

Mortgage application volume increased 11.3% from last week, according to the MBA. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are raising risk fees they charge lenders on loans they buy for resale to investors. HOPE NOW reports 1.76 million homeowners received a mortgage modification in 2010. Statistics from DBRS show 50 percent of loan modifications result in re-default.

In The News:

Mortgage Bankers Association – “Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (2-2-11)

“The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 28, 2011. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 11.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 13.2 percent compared with the previous week.”

USA Today – “Costs for home mortgages rise as Fannie, Freddie hike fees” (2-2-11)

“For the first time since 2009, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are raising risk fees they charge lenders on loans they buy for resale to investors. The mortgage giants are also adding risk fees to more loans extended to people with stellar credit. To avoid a fee or to get a discount, most borrowers will need FICO scores of 740 or better and down payments of 25% or more. Lenders could absorb the cost, but most are expected to add it to loan costs within days, if they haven’t already, says Cameron Findlay, LendingTree economist.”

Los Angeles Times – “Agency warns banks of foreclosure protection for military personnel” (2-2-11)

“The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warned banks not to violate laws that protect active-duty military personnel from home foreclosures and high interest rates.”

Housing Wire – “Dow Jones closes above 12,000 for first time since 2008″ (2-1-11)

“The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 148.23 points at 12,040.16, the first time it ended a trading above 12,000 since just before the financial crisis in June 2008.”

Housing Wire – “Mortgage modifications increase 42% in 2010: Hope Now” (2-2-11)

“Roughly 1.76 million homeowners received a modification on their mortgage in 2010, a 42% increase from the year before, according to the Hope Now alliance of servicers, investors, insurers and nonprofit counselors.”

Housing Wire – “Private sector added 187,000 jobs in January” (2-2-11)

“The private sector added 187,000 jobs in January, led mostly by gains in small business, especially in the service industry, according to the ADP National Employment Report.”

Housing Wire – “DBRS finds half of mortgage modifications redefault” (2-2-11)

“When a mortgage servicer modifies the loan of a distressed homeowner, chances are 50-50 that they’ll redefault, according to a 2010 review of the sector from credit rating agency DBRS.”

Housing Wire – “CMBS takes a beating as delinquencies reach record high” (2-2-11)

“Commercial mortgage-backed securities delinquencies hit a record high, as the cumulative total jumped 20 basis points. According to a securitization report by Barclays Capital, 9.1% of all CMBS loans were 60 days or more delinquent as of Jan. 31.”

Orange County Register – “Dana Point homes take half a year to sell” (2-2-11)

“The newest ‘market time’ of Dana Point – Thomas’ math that tracks theoretical time it would take to sell all listed homes at the pace of new escrows opened — is 6.46 months. That is +11% (or roughly 19 days) in a year.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, the NAR’s index  showed that pending home sales increased by 1 percent in December. Commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations increased by 15 percent during the 4th quarter of 2009.  The FHA reported that borrower delinquencies increased by 6.5 percent from the previous year. Fannie Mae was offering a 3.5 percent discount to all people who buy REO properties.

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 1/26/11

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Today’s News Synopsis:

The MBA reports mortgage application volume fell 12.9% this week. According to the Commerce Department, new home sales dropped 7.6% year over year. $1.5 trillion in commercial debt is set to mature by 2014. A total of 58,020 loan modifications have been canceled, said the Treasury Department.

In The News:

Mortgage Banking Association – “Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey” (1-26-11)

“The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending January 21, 2011. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 12.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 12.0 percent compared with the previous week.”

Los Angeles Times – “New-home sales increase in December” (1-26-11)

“New-home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 329,000 units, a 7.6% drop from December 2009, the Commerce Department said. A total of 321,000 homes were built in 2010, the lowest level in 47 years, according to the Associated Press.”

Housing Wire – “SIGTARP: HAMP’s failure ‘devastating,’ permanent mods flat in December” (1-26-11)

“Mortgage servicers modified 30,030 troubled loans through the Home Affordable Modification Program in December, only a slight uptick from the month before and still underwhelming to the program’s largest watchdog.”

Housing Wire – “FHA terminates more than a dozen HUD mortgage originators and underwriters” (1-26-11)

“The Federal Housing Administration terminated agreements with 15 originators and seven underwriters approved for mortgage insurance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a recent Federal Register.”

Housing Wire – “Deloitte says the time is now for curing distressed borrowers” (1-26-11)

“Commercial loans in particular, are the big trouble area. There are $1.5 trillion in these debts maturing by 2014, and the means to finance are all but nonexistent. The commercial mortgage-backed securities market is improving, to be sure, but at issuance hitting $11 billion in 2010, down from a peak $230 billion in 2007.”

Bloomberg - “U.S. Foreclosure-Prevention Program Accelerated in December Amid Criticism” (1-26-11)

“Borrowers aided by the Home Affordable Modification Program grew to 579,650 in December, 5.5 percent more than a month earlier. Participation had grown 4.5 percent in November. Troubled borrowers continue to fail out of the program at a faster rate than they join. A total of 58,020 loan modifications have been canceled, a nearly 30 percent increase from the 44,972 reported in November, the Treasury report said.”

Looking Back:

One year ago, CBIA reported that 36,209 building permits were issued in California last year. The 30-year mortgage rate decreased by 0.4 percent in December. DBRS expected loan servicers to allow more principal reductions. According to RealFacts, the average  Orange County apartment rent fell 6.7% during the 4th quarter of 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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