– FEMA: Fla. flood insurance in jeopardy Construction industry aid could inadvertently nix property owners from fed program, but two possible solutions exist. Home inspection increases buyer confidence Inspector association also finds confusion: 28% think it verifies building code compliance; 12% think it’s an appraisal. Freddie Mac sets new...
– NAR: Use broad qualified mortgage definition Letter to fed officials: Create tighter QM rules to avoid future meltdowns, but don’t slow the housing market rebound.
– Mortgage foreclosure scams up nearly 60% Criminals love it when the U.S. announces new foreclosure programs. It gives them an opportunity to scam new homeowners. Florida Realtorsandreg; seeks entries for its ENVY award Encourage developers or builders with unique, environmentally conscious projects to enter to win the ENVY...
– HUD: Can’t deny mortgage based on pregnancy To kick of Fair Housing Month, HUD cited two lenders for denying mortgages to women on temporary maternity leave.
– More Americans upbeat about homebuying Fannie Mae: Conditions ripe for buyers. More expect rents to rise, homes to appreciate and interest rates to increase. Gov. Scott signs two Florida Realtors-endorsed bills Two issues endorsed by the association – post-storm insurance assessments and local business taxes – are now...
– CoreLogic: Fla. home prices rising Feb. index finds 4.7% year-to-year price increase in Fla.; if not counting distressed sales, home prices rose 1.6%.
– NAR: No need for bulk home sales to investors NAR: Only a few U.S. markets would benefit; individual investment-home sales surged 64.5% to 1.23M last year. Bill could help short sale sellers in 2013 After Dec., short sale mortgage debt forgiven by a bank will be taxed as...
– NAR: Investment, vacation home sales up in 2011 NAR: Investment home sales up 64.5%, vacation home sales up 7% – combined market share at highest level since 2005.
– Survey: Buyers’ decision based on ‘feelings’ Buyers may create a list of want-to-see homes based on size and price, but they submit offers based on a home’s “feel.” Census Bureau releases county-to-county relocation stats Where are buyers going? Where are they coming from? Census Bureau releases first round...
– 70% of renters think owning makes more sense Fannie Mae 4Q survey: Money holds back renters, but 2/3 expect to buy some day. Perceived investment value declines. Confidence dips but recovery still a ‘go’ After spiking in Feb., March consumer confidence dropped back slightly after a slight pullback...
