Pending home sales in February surprised everyone with an unexpected jump of 5.5 percent. The National Association of Realtors® said its Pending Home Sales Index, which is a leading indicator based on signed home purchase contracts, rose to 112.3 in February from 106.4 in January. The reading is 2.6 percent above a year earlier, and … Continue reading Second Best Month in 11 Years for Pending Home Sales by Jann Swanson
Month: March 2017
Fannie Mae Clarifies Clear Boarding Policies by Seth Welbourn
Fannie Mae has previously promoted clear boarding as an alternative with an allowable which finds the use of plywood unacceptable when securing vacant properties. The GSE has been using polycarbonate clear boarding to secure vacant homes since early 2014 and as of 2016, it had been installed in about 4,000 Fannie Mae properties. More recently, Fannie Mae … Continue reading Fannie Mae Clarifies Clear Boarding Policies by Seth Welbourn
Home Price Index Hits 31-Month High by Aly J. Yale
The beginning of the year was a record-setting time for home prices. According to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price NSA Index released Tuesday, home prices were at a 31-month high in January 2017, up 5.9 percent year-over-year. Over the month, they were up 5.7 percent. The Home Price NSA Index, which covers all … Continue reading Home Price Index Hits 31-Month High by Aly J. Yale
First-time homebuyer? Avoid these states by Kathryn Vasel for CNN
It's not easy being a first-time homebuyer these days. Around the country, home prices have been rising, inventory is limited, and banks have tightened lending standards. But California is the toughest state of all for first-time homebuyers, according to a new report from Bankrate.com. Powered by SmartAsset.comBuyers in the Golden State face low affordability, tight … Continue reading First-time homebuyer? Avoid these states by Kathryn Vasel for CNN
Trulia: Housing inventory tumbles to all-new low Marks eighth consecutive quarterly decrease by Kelsey Ramirez
Housing inventory plummeted in the first quarter of 2017, but that drop is even more pronounced in the starter home and trade-up markets, according to a new report from Trulia. Comparing the national housing stock in the 100 largest metros from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2017 shows starter homes … Continue reading Trulia: Housing inventory tumbles to all-new low Marks eighth consecutive quarterly decrease by Kelsey Ramirez
Maxwell, Matic Insurance Services partner to simplify homeowners insurance process Matic insurance software will be integrated in Maxwell’s mortgage platform by Ben Lane
Maxwell, a provider of digital mortgage software and a winner of HousingWire Magazine’s 2017 HW Tech100, and Matic Insurance Services, a digital homeowners insurance agency for mortgage borrowers, announced a partnership that will make it easier for borrowers to obtain homeowners insurance as part of the mortgage process. Under the partnership, Maxwell will integrate Matic's homeowners … Continue reading Maxwell, Matic Insurance Services partner to simplify homeowners insurance process Matic insurance software will be integrated in Maxwell’s mortgage platform by Ben Lane
Inventory and Prices Prevent Some Homeowners from Moving by Sandra Lane
Housing inventory nationwide dropped to its lowest level on record in the first quarter of 2017, according to the Trulia Inventory and Price Watch released today. The number of homes on the market dropped for the eighth consecutive quarter, falling 5.1 percent during the past year. Homebuyers have now been stifled by low inventory for the … Continue reading Inventory and Prices Prevent Some Homeowners from Moving by Sandra Lane
Rate Hike Affect on Bank Cards and Mortgages by Seth Welborn
Bank card default rates went up by one basis point to 3.22 percent between February and January, according to S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices. February’s 3.22 percent default rate is a 44-month high, the highest rate since July 2013. Interest rates on bank cards can be expected to rise due to the recent federal reserve … Continue reading Rate Hike Affect on Bank Cards and Mortgages by Seth Welborn
The Rate Hike and What’s to Come from Ds News
To most, the Fed rate hike yesterday came as no surprise. What we have to look for now is what to expect moving forward, according to BankRate.com VP and CFA Greg McBride. DS News had the opportunity to speak with McBride on Wednesday shortly before the Federal Reserve announced the rate increase. McBride pointed to several … Continue reading The Rate Hike and What’s to Come from Ds News
More Consumers Seek Loan Modifications DS NEWS
In January 2017, an estimated 29,000 homeowners received permanent loan modifications from mortgage servicers during the month according to HOPE NOW, a non-profit alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, counselors, and other mortgage market participants. This total includes modifications completed under both proprietary programs and the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Of the permanent loan … Continue reading More Consumers Seek Loan Modifications DS NEWS
The Law Office of Beth Mann, P.C. 