Racism in Real Estate?
The New York Times has an op/ed exploring the racist roots of contracts for deed, which are making a comeback. Contracts for deed make price inflation possible, and appear to be quite prevalent in Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. The transactions don’t require an appraisal or inspection to justify the loan amount. The article…
Read MoreHousing Market Recovery Varies Greatly By Region
While generally everyone agrees that we, as a country, have fully recovered from the recession, pockets of the U.S. still have a long way to go. The Washington post has a comprehensive article about how certain pockets of the country are faring.
Read MoreAre You a Transactor Or a Revolver?
I imagine you weren’t sure you were either. However, banks have you pegged as one or the other, and it contributes significantly to your ability to secure a mortgage. A transactor pays off credit card bills each month, or makes more than the minimum payment. A revolver—the less desirable of the two monikers—generally rolls balances…
Read MoreAre You a Transactor Or a Revolver?
I imagine you weren’t sure you were either. However, banks have you pegged as one or the other, and it contributes significantly to your ability to secure a mortgage. A transactor pays off credit card bills each month, or makes more than the minimum payment. A revolver—the less desirable of the two monikers—generally rolls balances…
Read MoreShould We Abolish the 30-Year Mortgage?
Edward Pinto, codirector of the Internal Center on Housing Risk at the American Enterprise Institute, has a piece in Forbes admonishing that the 30-year mortgage should disappear. His primary reasons are that it fails to accrue wealth for most disadvantaged Americans. And, that it creates burdensome debt for older homeowners. You can read the article…
Read MoreIs Spring the Best Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate?
As the weather warms each year, historically, the real estate market experiences a surge. Forbes has some thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of buying or selling in the Spring. The article explores how the increase in inventory is countered by an increase in competition, and much more. If you’re considering a transaction, you can…
Read More16-Year Low for Mortgage Delinquencies
MarketWatch reports that 30-day delinquencies reached a 16-year low in March. Overall delinquencies in March were at their lowest since 2007. And, the number of homes in foreclosure was at its lowest since October 2007. Data provider Black Knight provided the numbers, and the article can be found here.
Read MoreLuxury Housing Markets Reach Plateau
Yahoo Finance has an article about the top 1% of housing markets in the U.S., and how those markets have leveled off. They cover The Hamptons, NY, and Greenwich, CT, Aspen, CO, and the Westside and Downtown Los Angeles, CA are all covered. Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel said, “The last four…
Read MoreIs the Japanese Baby Crisis Driving Up U.S. Real Estate?
BusinessInsider.com has an interesting piece about how the Japanese are affecting U.S. real estate rates. Insurance companies are coming to the U.S. to find investments that make quality returns, because of the high number of payouts due to the aging of Japan’s population. The article has a good overview of the crisis, and how it…
Read MoreMortgages More Attainable Recently
After the necessary tightening following the financial collapse, mortgages are now becoming easier to obtain. As always, stellar credit allows for the best options, but 66% of refinances applied for are approved these days—as opposed to 51% in 2014. Money magazine has an article detailing just how much things have changed lately.
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