Mortgages & Loans

Useful infomation and links on mortgages and loans

Important things to know before getting a refinance or Home Equity Loan
Thursday, March 08, 2007
First thing, make sure that the loan will save you money in the long run, and more importantly, make sure you can afford the new loan payments. Every refinance loan is different, so make sure the terms will be manageable for you. Home equity loans also vary, so we advise you to evaluate all available options before making a final decision. Introductory rates may be misleading so be on the

Plans of Mortgage Lenders are mainly divided in two groups
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The repayment mortgage is a simple concept. The borrower makes regular monthly payments over a period of time comprising capital and interest so that at the end of the term the mortgage is paid off. Main advantages of a repayment mortgage: It’s simple to understand. The borrower sees that the amount borrowed is being reduced and assured. The Interest only Mortgage, with this mortgage the

Reverse Mortgages
Friday, January 26, 2007
When pursuing a plan of reverse mortgage we suggest that you seek legal counsel, because, although it gives you a life estate the right to live in that home until death, there are restrictions as well as other disadvantages that might outweigh the benefits for some people. A reverse mortgage is a type of home equity loan that allows you to convert. Some of the equity in your home into cash

Home Mortgages Refinancing
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Are you considering refinancing your home mortgage loan? Here are some tips when it comes to refinancing your home mortgage loan: There a few types of loans: Fixed interest rate loans and adjustable rate loans. A fixed rate mortgage loan is a fixed rate of ten to fifty years and the payments are based on a fixed interest rate. Adjustable rate mortgages are based on an index and the interest

Money Depot - Mortgage Services, Loans, Refinancing, Home Equity Loans

Sub-Prime Mortgage Lending - Expanded Guidance
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:14:20 -0500
In June 2007 the federal financial regulatory agencies together issued a Statement on Sub-prime Mortgage Lending. This statement contained references to an earlier document issued by the Comptroller Office's for Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of Thrift Supervision. The latter document, the 2001 Expanded Guidance for Sub-prime Lending, is recommended unequivocally by the agencies as the defining document to which lenders should turn to find the criteria for considering a borrower "sub-prime".

Able Guidance From Mortgage and Remortgage Advice For a Better Deal
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:52:39 -0500
Remortgage can also be considered in case you are paying standard variable rate on mortgage. Consider why you are opting for remortgage. Read on to find out about how you can eliminate old debts.

FHA Purchase Loans
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:37:49 -0500
An FHA loan may be your ticket to purchasing a home. Find out more about the great opportunities that an FHA loan gives home buyers.

Eliminate Your Mortgage Arrears at Ease!
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:22:53 -0500
For those borrowers that are already in arrear, your mortgage lender should suggest a repayment plan to pay off the arrears alongside usual repayments. Seek some tips on alleviating your mortgage arrears.

Remortgage Northern Ireland - A Solace From Your Existing Mortgage
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:17:17 -0500
What is a mortgage? If you as a borrower use your own home as a collateral against a loan, then its referred to as a mortgage loan or home equity loan. The conditions of your mortgages depends on various factors such as the duration of the loan/ loan term, the mode of payment, and in case you default your loan, your property will be confiscated to recover the loan amount lent to you.

ARM Vs Fixed Rate Mortgage - The Advantages and Disadvantages of ARMS and Fixed Mortgages Revealed
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:54:44 -0500
When it comes to deciding between and ARM and a fixed rate mortgage most people are not aware of what loan is better. But when put against each other in an ARM vs Fixed Mortgage Battle The advantages and disadvantages become clear.

Refinancing Your Home Online Can Have Many Benefits
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:52:30 -0500
Nowadays, you can do just about anything online and refinancing your home is one of them. There are many great benefits to refinancing your home online that you may not be aware about.

The Basics of Remortgages
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:41:50 -0500
Remortgage are a way for a home owner to save money on a home purchase. A mortgage is much different than other loans and due to this remortgage are offered. Remortgages allow a home owner to get a new mortgage and a new, lower interest rate, which means they save money on their overall home cost.

Discrimination Against the Self-Employed
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:36:44 -0500
The hardworking self-employed often times providing jobs for others are penalized for not having a W-2. Loans are not fairly approved for the self-employed. Self-employed need to maintain their personal credit score.

What is a Hardship Letter?
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:12:06 -0500
It is hard to lose a home these days when prices of goods and gasoline are going up. But for those whose homes are in danger of being foreclosed due to non-payment of mortgage, there are ways to stop the process or declaring bankruptcy. One option is to apply for a short sale wherein the lender is willing to accept an amount lesser than the total amount owed to the loan and one document required is the hardship letter.

Help For Finding Mortgage Loans
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:35:56 -0500
It can be difficult to qualify for a loan, especially if you have little collateral or less than perfect credit. You may be so relieved to qualify for a mortgage loan that you neglect to analyze what loan contact offers the best terms for your situation. Mortgage loans vary depending on the lending company you are working with, as well as your credit risk and the type of terms you want.

No Deposit Home Loans - A Flexible Alternative For First Home Buyers
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:14:25 -0500
When you're paying rent and struggling to save for a home loan deposit - even with the First Home Owner Grant and other incentives - your first home can seem a long, long way away. No deposit home loans offer a flexible alternative so you can buy your first home faster.

ARM Mortgage Loans - The Upside and Downside
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:03:10 -0500
ARM mortgage loans or Adjustable Rate Mortgages are loans that have an interest rate that "adjusts" after an initial fixed rate period. ARM mortgage loans are popular because they have an initial period of lower interest when compared to fixed rate loans.

What Factor Influences the Mortgage Interest Rate Predictions?
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:37:28 -0500
Mortgage rates are usually priced on their own merits and not just those of the economy. Find out how the mortgage lender, the market and the customer influence the mortgage rates predictions.

The Easiest Way to Receive a Discount Off a Mortgage
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:56:00 -0500
Compare best lowest daily mortgage rates in all 50 states. Let Lender411 compete and find the mortgage interest rate that suits you best. Lender411.com - Where America shops for loans.

Refinance your home and lower your monthly mortgage payments or reduce the time it takes to pay off your loan.

Interest Rate Roundup
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts.

Appraisal may reverse equity freeze
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
A home appraisal may convince a lender to reverse a home equity freeze, says Dr. Don Taylor.

Interest Rate Roundup
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts.

Interest Rate Roundup
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
Here's a look at the state of interest rates on five common consumer banking products and the latest rates from Bankrate.com's weekly national survey of large banks and thrifts.

Understanding credit scores
Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT
Understanding the factors that go into your credit score will help you manage it.

Home Equity Loans - Home Equity Line of Credit

Bad Credit Tenant Loans - Combat Financial Breakdowns With Ease
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:57:04 -0500
Bad credit tenant loans provide monetary help to no homeowner tenants and help them to combat with sudden financial breakdowns. As now security is kept, there is no risk involved, hence you feel safe and secure. The interest rate is higher than convention secured loans and the loan amount depends on your repaying capacity.

Secured Loans - Security-Backed Provisions
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:55:59 -0500
Secured loans are collateral-backed money provisions. You meet any range of your expenses with them. The loan applications for the loans are made available online as well as offline. However, processing online has precedence.

Your Bad Credit Loan Options
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:41:33 -0500
Nearly a quarter of us have some form of adverse information on your credit files, and this number is growing. What kind of loan options do we have in these circumstances?

The Perfect Answer to All the Financial Problems
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:48:08 -0500
Today loans are playing an integral part in the normal lives of people. Gone were the days where availing loan of any kind was considered to be a taboo. Now the situation is far more different then what it was earlier and as the time has progressed so has the common people's perception towards the concept of availing loans has also changed a lot.

Repair Your Credit Rating With Bad Credit Loans
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:47:18 -0500
There are a lot of different things you can do to get control over your financial situation. However, if you have let things slide for a while, it is likely that your credit rating has taken a bit of a dive as a result of that neglect. Simply having bad credit can make things difficult for you - particularly if this bad credit is something which has followed you from your past.

Private Lending - The Do's and Don'ts of Private Lending
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:05:59 -0500
I am providing some advice and guidelines on using private investors to fund your real estate deals. The Don'ts include advertising on Craig's List and the use of the word "Guarantee." The Do's include what are the best marketing methods.

Poor Credit Tenant Loans - Helps You to Enjoy Equal Facilities
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:03:04 -0500
Poor credit tenant loans are for all those tenants, council tenants and people staying with their patents who find it tough to get their financial problems solved. People with worst credit record will also be provided a good amount so that they can enjoy equal facilities with others.

No Fax Same Day Loans - Paperless Approach to Small Cash
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:42:50 -0500
No fax same day loans are convenient since they are cash loans which are available in your bank account within 24 hours of application. They are unsecured loans where you don't need to pledge any security against the loan amount. You don't have to go through any documentation for getting this loan which is an added advantage.

How to Calculate Boat Loans Easily
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:33:54 -0500
If you want to go for a boat loan, a good way would be checking out different offers by a number of lenders to give you an approximate idea on the costs involved. A loan calculator is offered by various lenders to help the customers in calculating the terms of the loan easily. Many lenders like banks and financial institutions who offer boat loans put up boat loan calculators on their websites.

Quick Cash Loans - Justify Your Instant Demands
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:24:34 -0500
Quick cash loans are instant money provisions. You do not require providing of security against the loan. These loans are available online as well as offline, processing online is preferred.

Instant Loans - Apply Now, Get Now
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:24:07 -0500
Instant loans are quite popular among people because of its instantaneous nature. These are designed and are made available in such a manner that people do not feel that they are lacking money, in fact, they feels as if they are withdrawing money from their account only and the whole credit goes to its fastest procedures.

Repair Your Credit Rating With Bad Credit Loans
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:23:41 -0500
There are a lot of different things you can do to get control over your financial situation. However, if you have let things slide for a while, it is likely that your credit rating has taken a bit of a dive as a result of that neglect. Simply having bad credit can make things difficult for you - particularly if this bad credit is something which has followed you from your past.

Fast Processing Loans - Meet Your Needs Instantly
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:20:29 -0500
Fast personal loans can be availed from the UK loan market at borrower-friendly term and condition. The repayment capability is the sole criteria when these loans are approved to the unemployed people.

Make Getting a Loan Easier
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:19:29 -0500
If you are one of the many people that feel they are being backed into a corner when it comes to payments to maintain your current food, fuel and living bills you may be considering taking out a loan and playing all the payments into that so you can pay it back slowly. More people than ever before are taking out large over drafts, loans and credit cards so they can maintain some normality and not have to strip their lifestyle other than the bare minimum to get by. The most important aspect you need to ...

Loans For Poor Credit - Allows Easier Access to Funds
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:11:45 -0500
Poor credit history does not come in the way of availing of these loans in secured or unsecured options. Both the homeowners and tenants are eligible.

Revisions Boost New Home Sales, Suggest Stabilization, Economists Say
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:42:54 EST

U.S. new home sales fell marginally in June but the pace was much higher than expected due to +50k of revisions over the past three months. Economists were surprised by the report and said it may be a tentative sign of stabilization, though more data will be needed to confirm that.

Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, said the report "paints a brighter picture (than previously portrayed), in the new housing market anyway." Yet he cautioned against being too optimistic, as things are still getting worse but only at a slower decline than in the past two years.

New Home Sales Higher than Expected Due to Revisions in May, April
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:21:41 EST

New home sales fell for the seventh of the past eight months in June, falling by 0.6% to an annual pace of 530k sales. This rate is much higher than consensus expectations due to major revisions in the previous two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau on Friday.

Final University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Reports Surprise Upward Revision
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:18:53 EST

The final consumer sentiment survey from Reuters and the University of Michigan received a large upward revision from preliminary estimates in July, with the headline indicator coming in at 61.2 compared to the preliminary 56.6 level.

Foreclosures Spike by 121% from Previous Year, Says Report from RealtyTrac
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:16:17 EST

U.S. home foreclosures soared by 121% in second- quarter year-over-year results, according to a report issued by RealtyTrac.

There were 739,714 foreclosure filings in the second quarter of 2008, a 14% quarterly increase. According to RealtyTrac, 48 of 50 states and 95 of 100 of the largest metropolitan areas experienced year-over-year increases in foreclosure activity in the second quarter.

Preview: New Home Sales Likely Fell Again in June
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:24:04 EST

In May, the New Home Sales Index fell 2.5% to its second-lowest pace in 17 years, and economists expect another decline in the June report to be released Friday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The index of sales has fallen in six of the past seven months and currently stands at an annual pace of 512k. The consensus looks for a 1.8% decline to a pace of 503k sales in June, but the range of forecasts varies from a low of 480k to a high of 530k.

Friday's Events: U.S. Durable Goods, U of M Consumer Sentiment, New Home Sales
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:20:23 EST

Friday's highlights include the release of U.S. durable goods and new home sales for June along with a final look at consumer sentiment for the United States. There are no major scheduled macroeconomic releases or events for Canada.

At 8:30 a.m. EDT, the U.S. Commerce Department will release durable goods orders for June. Economists expect a 0.3% month-over-month decline...

Thousands of Felons Issued Mortgage Licenses in Florida
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:48:38 EST

The Miami Herald's investigative team reported on Sunday that the state has approved over 10,000 mortgage broker licenses for convicted felons since 2000; over 4,000 were issued to individuals who had been convicted of crimes such as fraud, extortion, racketeering, and bank robbery ? crimes that are specifically prohibited by the licensing statute...

New York Sues UBS Over Auction Rate Securities
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:06:29 EST

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he is suing UBS AG for misleading investors into buying auction-rate securities just five months before the market collapsed.

"Not only is UBS guilty of committing a flagrant breach of trust between the bank and its customers, its top executives jumped ship as soon as the securities market started to collapse, leaving...

NY Fed's Geithner Says Judgment on Regulatory Bill Should Be Held
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:42:43 EST

"The U.S. and global financial systems are going through a very challenging period of adjustment. The critical imperative today is to help facilitate that adjustment and to cushion its impact on the broader economy. The forces that made the system vulnerable to this crisis took a long time to build up, and the system will need some time to work through their aftermath," said Geithner.

No End in Sight for Housing Market
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:35:03 EST

"The U.S. housing market continues to be very weak, and with the inventory of unsold homes continuing to rise we are unlikely to see any meaningful turnaround in the sector in the near term," said Millan Mulraine, economics strategist at TD Securities.

The NAR said foreclosures represent one-third to 40% of all sales and cause a downward distortion to the price data.

Make Money in a Slow Real Estate Market
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:40:13 -0500
There are a lot of ways that you can earn money through real estate. You can work as an agent and sell a house or two every now and again.

Real Estate Glossary - Part II
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:29 -0500
Having a house is one of the basic human needs. Whether you are searching for a comfortable apartment on rent, purchasing your first home, or planning to relocate for work, there are many real estate resources to look for in the times of need.

Don't Get Burned in Nicaragua - Avoiding the Pitfalls of the Hottest Real Estate on the Planet
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:58:52 -0500
Nicaragua is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots to buy property in the world. I always warn potential buyers to take some precautions before discussing any land sale and I recommend avoiding some properties all together. Lands with "Agrarian Reform Titles" or "Supplemental Titles Issued by Court Order" should be avoided at all costs-these are potential pitfalls as title rights to these properties are in a state of serious upheaval.

The Town of Spartanburg
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:49:37 -0500
Spartanburg is a community that has something for everyone. It is located 98 miles northwest of Columbia, 80 miles west of Charlotte, and about 190 miles northeast of Atlanta. Spartanburg is serviced by two airports.

Get Out From Under That Dark Cloud
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:44:43 -0500
It seems that every day we read another story about the demise of the housing market and the failing U.S. economy. Let's face it, bad news makes headlines quicker than the good stuff. Unfortunately this proliferation of doom and gloom has helped to create a climate of wariness and skepticism. Now, these negative feelings have prompted potential investors to sit apprehensively on the sidelines with their hands in their pockets. It's time to get out from under that dark cloud of doubt and see the housing market in a more positive light.

Understanding Fractional Real Estate
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:18:07 -0500
How fractional ownership works. Learn the advantages and pit falls of fractional ownership. Buyer and Seller information on fractional real estate investments.

Speak Easy - The Importance of Communication in the Real Estate Industry
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:06:49 -0500
The ability to effectively communicate is one of the most important skills a professional can have in any industry. In real estate, agents have to deal with clients, colleagues, as well as the general public. If an agent is unable to speak or write well, he won't win over his target audience. He will miss out on deals and he will lose money.

Miami Real Estate Can See Bright Future Ahead
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:49:54 -0500
There are rumblings that Miami's boom may be headed for bust, but the current decline in values does not necessary spell doom for all potential investors. Smart decision making guided by critical study of the marketplace does create chances for investment success even in the declining market. Miami Real Estate watch is dedicated to providing the kind of analysis that can help anyone to get a better grip on the changing natures of Florida's commercial and residential real estate sectors.

Analyzing the Miami Real Estate Bubble
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:49:15 -0500
Well when it comes to Miami real estate, there has always been the certain bubble to be considered. In a nutshell, that is the basic question at the back of our collective subconscious when we talk about the Miami real estate bubble. If you turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or even surf the internet, you'll notice that there is a lot of people talking about the real estate bubble. Sometimes we have questions like when is it going to burst? Note that, with property prices seemingly on the rise and rising quickly in Tampa. There is a lot of talk about a real estate bubble in the US and dire predictions that the so-called bubble could burst. Leading to a lack of confidence on the part of investors and people seeking a second home, A lot has been known on the bubble because it makes investors sort of concern on it or something.

Spain Becomes a Buyer's Market
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:08:55 -0500
Overseas property investors in Spain now have far more influence on the housing market due to the recent downturn in the Spanish property market and purchasers now have far more "pulling power" during the purchase process. Consequently, those who are selling their properties have to make far more concessions to concerned parties, as they may only be dealing with few prospective buyers.

Real Estate Agent Salary
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:20:53 -0500
A real estate agent should work out a deal for a property sale between a prospective buyer and a prospective seller. It can be a job of high earning potential.

Branson - Where the Real Estate Always Booms
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:08:17 -0500
We've all heard the news: the real estate market faces some serious troubles as the economy struggles to rebound from a recent recession. While this fact is true in many cities across America, Branson Missouri real estate value remains high.

Market Trends - Locally Relevant
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:49:50 -0500
With recent announcements of the sale of Donald Trumps' Palm Beach home being the highest real estate sale ever, it might look like the economy is getting back on track. However this home was purchased by a Russian billionaire, so it says little about the reality for average U.S. citizens. The market may be improving in some areas, while it may still get worse in other areas. When trying to analyze real estate trends, one needs to remember that these are highly local. Yes, there is a nationwide trend, but within that are a multitude of sub-pockets, each with their own market.

Property Development Costs - Estimating Expenses is a Science Not an Art
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:05:18 -0500
The major reason why some property developments fail is that the costs estimates were inaccurate. Being aware of development cost pitfalls will help make your project a success. The following are some basic cost factors:

Selling Timeshares - The New Trend
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:49:33 -0500
With the real estate boom, more and more options are designed by developers to cater to specific needs to customers. One current demand is selling timeshares. Timeshare, as the name would suggest, is a property or the right to use said property like a condominium or a room in a resort, where multiple owners have equal or variable rights including right-to-use depending on the amount of investment placed.

Inflation fears send mortgage rates soaring (at MarketWatch)
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:00:00 Etc/GMT
Mortgage rates spike this week on inflation fears, with the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate loan soaring more than a quarter percentage point to a national average 6.63%, its highest level in nearly a year, Freddie Mac says.

Mortgage credit to stay tight for months; what you need to know (at MarketWatch)
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:25:00 Etc/GMT
In todayâ??s mortgage market, thereâ??s still money out there for those with good credit scores, significant down payments and decent income streams.

After IndyMac failure, be sure your accounts are properly insured (at MarketWatch)
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:23:00 Etc/GMT
"You can count on us" was their slogan. Not quite. IndyMac Bancorp Inc. had $1 billion of uninsured, unsecured, and unprotected consumer deposits at stake. The 10,000 uninsured depositors will get 50 cents on the dollar now and wait for the rest.

How turmoil over Fannie, Freddie could affect morgtage market (at MarketWatch)
Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:06:00 Etc/GMT
Get ready to see mortgage rates rise somewhat as concerns about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae continue, those in the mortgage industry say.

Mortgage rates mixed on week, remain well below year ago (at MarketWatch)
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:18:00 Etc/GMT
Mortgage rates changed little this week as the housing sector received mixed economic reports, Freddie Macâ??s chief economist said on Thursday.

Decision-making expert is flummoxed in search for a house (at MarketWatch)
Wed, 9 Jul 2008 17:17:00 Etc/GMT
DURHAM, N.C. -- My wife Sumi and I are house hunting. That presents many problems.

Senate moves on housing legislation (at MarketWatch)
Mon, 7 Jul 2008 20:19:00 Etc/GMT
WASHINGTON -- Massive housing legislation moved one step closer to passage Monday night, as senators voted to limit debate on the package.

In tough economic times, beware these critical nest-egg mistakes (at MarketWatch)
Wed, 2 Jul 2008 17:31:00 Etc/GMT
Recession or not, these are fast becoming hard times, and hard times can lead to bad decisions.

Fed's overlooked message: Dump your ARM now. if you can (MarketWatch)
Tue, 1 Jul 2008 17:31:00 Etc/GMT
While the media and the market scrutinized every word of the Federal Reserve Board's message last week, it seemed to overlook the most important signal, which was there loud and clear for anyone reading between the lines.

Surprise cuts in equity lines chop homeowners from needed cash (at MarketWatch)
Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:27:00 Etc/GMT
When Denise Lopez bought two new tables, a floor lamp and a chair recently, her intent was to finance it with her home equity line of credit. But it wasnâ??t long before she discovered that wasnâ??t an option -- her HELOC had been frozen.

Facing foreclosure? Four ways to get the help you need (MarketWatch)
Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:31:00 Etc/GMT
Anyone in danger of losing a home to foreclosure would do well to seek help early, be proactive and get balanced advice.

Homeowner wants to refinance, but bank suggests a short sale (MarketWatch)
Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:30:00 Etc/GMT
Question: My first mortgage is an interest-only loan at 4.75% with a balance of $287,967, and a second mortgage with another lender. It is due to reset on March 31, 2009. I wanted to refi now before the loan adjusts, so I called the lender and submitted all the documents.

Fed sharpens its focus on inflation (at MarketWatch)
Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:43:00 Etc/GMT
The Federal Reserve sharpens its focus on inflation, saying that the upside risks to inflation have increased and keeping interest rates unchanged for the time being.

Head of Senate banking panel urges passage of housing bill (at MarketWatch)
Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:51:00 Etc/GMT
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., influential chairman of the Senate banking committee, urges fellow lawmakers to put aside partisanship and approve a massive housing bill to ease some of the financial stresses pressuring families across the nation.

As house prices drop steeply, one reader points to benefit (at MarketWatch)
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:56:00 Etc/GMT
The housing market isnâ??t wasting any time correcting itself, with prices across 20 U.S. cities diving 15% in the past year. Itâ??s yet another sign that an increasing number of homeowners are watching their net worth erode, and worse.

Housing slump rivals deepest slowdowns in 60-plus years: Report (at MarketWatch)
Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:01:00 Etc/GMT
The housing slump, already shaping up to be the worst in a generation, still hasnâ??t run its full course, according to Harvard Universityâ??s annual report on housing, released on Monday.

Is it wise to get out of an ARM loan if the balance due is low? (MarketWatch)
Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:43:00 Etc/GMT
Question: I currently have a five-year interest-only adjustable-rate mortgage of $50,000 on a condo in Century City, Calif., that I purchased last year at $750,000. My mortgage balance is so low that I'm not sure what to do at the end of five years when it converts into a variable interest mortgage.

Senate bill aims to reduce foreclosures, reform Fannie, Freddie (at MarketWatch)
Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:36:00 Etc/GMT
A bipartisan housing bill that aims to provide relief to homeowners facing foreclosure and contain problems in the housing market was announced on Tuesday, and the Senate is expected to begin debate on the proposal soon.

Mortgage applications fell 15.3% last week: MBA (at MarketWatch)
Wed, 4 Jun 2008 05:09:00 Etc/GMT
Mortgage applications filed last week fell a seasonally adjusted 15.3% compared with the week before, mainly due to a decrease in refinance applications, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Wednesday.

Five ways to lend to your kids without keeping them in your debt (MarketWatch)
Sun, 1 Jun 2008 13:17:00 Etc/GMT
Bill and Pattye Bomash had heard the warnings about why parents shouldnâ??t lend money to their grown children. How it keeps them dependent. How it inflames family tension. How it robs your retirement.

Home equity cash-outs fade as prices slide: Freddie Mac - Reuters
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:06:29 GMT

The Money Times

Home equity cash-outs fade as prices slide: Freddie Mac Reuters - 22 hours ago NEW YORK (Reuters) - The share of homeowners who tapped home equity for extra spending money when refinancing fell in the first half of 2008 to the lowest ... Homeowners close equity spigot CNN Refinances Reaping Less Money TheStreet.com Cash-out refinancing drops at Freddie Mac United Press International all 33 news articles

The Other Home Equity Crisis - New York Times
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:46:37 GMT

The Other Home Equity Crisis New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago There has been no meaningful large-scale generational trend toward stay-at-home motherhood, they say. While women’s workforce participation did start to ...

Irwin Financial restructuring business Business First of Louisville - Bizjournals.com
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:30:08 GMT

Irwin Financial restructuring business Business First of Louisville Bizjournals.com, NC - 4 hours ago Irwin Financial plans to sell its home-equity residential business to Roosevelt Management Company LLC, a New York-based financial services firm, ... Irwin sells $1.6B in assets to focus on banking Indianapolis Star Irwin Financial Corporation Announces Major Strategic ... MarketWatch Irwin Financial Corporation Announces Major Strategic ... PR Newswire (press release) Indianapolis Business Journal - Indianapolis Business Journal all 29 news articles

Home Equity Income Trust Announces Second Quarter Conference Call - Canada NewsWire (press release)
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:33:27 GMT

Home Equity Income Trust Announces Second Quarter Conference Call Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada - 5 hours ago Forward Looking Statements Home Equity Income Trust from time to time makes written and verbal forward-looking statements about business objectives, ...

Conference Calls Describe Lending Situation [Housing Tracker] - Seeking Alpha
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:27:45 GMT

Conference Calls Describe Lending Situation [Housing Tracker] Seeking Alpha, NY - 10 hours ago John McMurray, EVP, CRO: “Subprime was the first to surge and we’re starting to see early indications of that perhaps slowing, home equity was the second ...

What It Takes to Get a Mortgage Now - WFMJ
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:56:25 GMT

What It Takes to Get a Mortgage Now WFMJ, OH - 5 hours ago ... if you try to roll existing home-equity debt into the refi to pay it off), and 60% for the purchase or refi of a second home or investment property. ...

Your Money Housing Bill Has Something for Nearly Everyone - New York Times
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:36:07 GMT

Your Money Housing Bill Has Something for Nearly Everyone New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago But it also includes many handouts to first-time homebuyers, longtime homeowners, returning veterans and senior citizens seeking to tap their home equity ... A Look At The Housing Bill istockAnalyst.com all 20 news articles

National City Boasts, Despite Record Q2 Loss - Housing Wire
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:54:04 GMT

The Associated Press

National City Boasts, Despite Record Q2 Loss Housing Wire - Jul 24, 2008 Across the two portfolio segments, home equity loans represented roughly 30 percent of loss provisioning and 24 percent of $740 million in total charge-off ... National City Rises as CEO Cites `Sufficient Capital' (Update1) Bloomberg National City looking to sell unit: report Tehran Times National City Reports Second Quarter 2008 Results MSN Money Seeking Alpha - Motley Fool all 286 news articles

Will The New Homeowner Rescue Bill Help Rescue You? - The Consumerist
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:38:50 GMT

iBerkshires.com

Will The New Homeowner Rescue Bill Help Rescue You? The Consumerist, NY - Jul 24, 2008 Before homeowners can get FHA-backed mortgages, they must first retire any other debt on the home, such as a home equity loan or line of credit. ... Housing bill not just for those on edge Chicago Tribune How the New Housing Legislation Affects You U.S. News & World Report Housing-aid bill not a cure-all Arizona Republic iBerkshires.com - Originator Times all 332 news articles

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Too Fat to Fail - U.S. News & World Report
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:11:49 GMT

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Too Fat to Fail U.S. News & World Report, DC - 2 hours ago Fannie and Freddie have an equity cushion of slightly over $80 billion. It sounds like a lot, but not when compared with the roughly $5.5 trillion of ... Video: House Bails Out Lenders CBS Wall Street Shrinks From Competing With Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Bloomberg Private profits, public losses Economic Times Wall Street Journal - Politico all 3,306 news articles