|
Recently Published: Home Trends Price Stability The MBAA reports that the trend of mortgage failures is slowing and those in the foreclosure process also slowed in the fourth quarter. More and more, we are hearing people call this a bottom. read more... Case Shiller: Slowly Getting Better The S&P Case Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index posted a 2.5% decrease from a year earlier, a significant easing from the 19%, 15% and 8.7% declines in the rest of 2009. read more... Small Banks In Trouble COP, established by Congress in 2008 to oversee the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), is concerned about our small banks. TCOP expects $200 to $300 billion in losses from commercial real estate loans for small banks. These smaller regional banks are over exposed to commercial loans and may not be able to absorb the deluge of bad paper...read more REITs: Where Are The Good Deals Real-estate investment trusts sold $24 billion in new stock last year, raising to profit from commercial-property distress by picking up high-quality real estate at bargain prices. But they are having trouble finding deals. Home Price Trends: 2010 Since bottoming out in in June, home prices have seen upticks and sales have lifted off of the deep trough lows. Goldman Sachs estimates that Govt stimulus has lifted home prices by about 5%. Moodys now thinks that home prices are now in line with rent ratios and fairly priced, about 3.5% over valued. read more... Case Shiller And Housing Markets There is an across the board improvement in home prices if you look at 2009 compared to 2008. But as you drill down, the latest Case Shiller reports show only five markets saw price increases in November. read more... REITs: The Other Big Lenders REITs have more than raised $40 billion dollars of new money in 2009 and so are in a better position to refinance as credit markets thaw. They will be a solid option for owners, as the banks still hold back until their balance sheets are stronger. Today, banks have little appetite for risk, especially real estate related risk. read more... Banks 2010: The Regulatory Angle The lending industry is crucial to a strong housing recovery. Regardless of demand and price, any housing recovery will have to depend on lenders providing credit to buyers. What kind of shape are they in looking forward. Their willingness to loan is crucial to a healthy recovery. Banks in 2010: The Commercial Real Estate Angle Can we count on bankers this coming year to start to lift the lid on credit. Its clear we are in recovery. But the strength if the recovery will depend largely on the banks willingness to accept risk and make loans. Housings Weak Recovery: Lets Follow The Money Quarterly reports are out. NAR, Case Shiller, Consumer Confidence reports all indicate that the housing recovery is faltering to flat. Much of the Govt supports will be slowly exiting as the Fed tests the normal functions of an economy replace Federal aid. NAR: Existing Home Sales Report The sales pace for resale homes rose for the third straight month in November climbing 44.1% compared to the same month last year. Buyers rushed to close sales before the original November 30 deadline for the recently extended and expanded tax credit, according to the National Association of Realtors. Should You Stop Paying Your Mortgage According to the Mortgage Bankers Association More than 40% of borrowers are 60 or more days past due on payments. Should you walk away? What are the consequences and should the lenders share in the pain. read more... Stock Market Views On The Housing Recovery A short look at how the stock markets view the housing market recovery. The Micro Market ETFs, which allow you to bet on the direction of home prices provides us with a view of how people are viewing the real estate recovery. read more... The Coming Mortgage Debt Reduction Programs Millions of Americans are still faced with underwater mortgages and increasing mortgage payments. It is estimated that 10 to 12 million more foreclosures may take place. Clearly, the Govt programs are no longer sufficient, if the metric is to slow the foreclosure process and keep homes off the market read more... NAR Reports on Pending Sales NAR reported Tuesday that its index measure of pending sales of resale homes gained for the ninth month in a row in October with a 31.8% gain over the same month last year. Citigroup Suggests Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Nearly one in four U.S. borrowers owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth, indicating that the housing recovery could see another wave of defaults. One lender proposes to reduce mortgage principal in return for a share in the profits. read more... Foreign Real Estate Investors Return To The Market Afire is a non profit organization consisting of foreign investors. They produce a quarterly survey taken among the some 200 members of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate. Participants hold approximately one trillion dollars of real estate, including $371 billion in the U.S. Foreign investment is coming to America...read more Fannie Mae Allows renters to Stay in Foreclosed Homes The problem is that many renters who pay rent on time are finding themselves under eviction, because their landlord has lost his property. Its made victims of well intentioned people who played by the rules. read more... Obama Extends the Home Buyers Tax Credit The home buyers' tax credit has been extended to April 30, 2010. Obama approved the extension as part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill. Fannie Mae Gets Into The Home Rental Business Good News for foreclosure victims. Some homeowners will get an option to rent the home that they just lost. Its possible to stay in your home as a renter.
<< prev
next >>
|
