As Housing Languishes, Mortgage Write-downs Gain Appeal for Banks

Eager to avoid writing down the loans on their books, banks have been extending many of them with the hope that the market will improve.

Even banks that foreclosed on properties have kept them on their books, reluctant to auction them in a market where investors offer as low as 10 cents on the dollar.

Now that appears to be changing, and it could have implications for property owners caught up in the sell-off.

10 Reasons to Buy a Home

Time magazine is being overly pessimistic in its recent cover piece that called into question the benefits of homeownership. In fact, now is a great time to buy. And, what’s more, tomorrow will be a great time to own, because the fundamental strength of homeownership hasn’t changed.

Improve Your Credit Score Before Searching for a Home

Many prospective homeowners find out the hard way the importance of a good credit score when they apply for a home mortgage, especially after the subprime loan crisis. If you are considering buying a home in the near future, it is a good idea to give your credit score a check-up and then take positive steps to improve your credit score if you find problems. Ideally, it is best to begin working on improving your credit score at least six months before you plan to start shopping for a home.

Loan Modification Tips

Many homeowners seeking a loan modification to lower their monthly mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure continue to find the application process a complex web, often causing them to give up before their application is ever reviewed by their mortgage company.

Certified housing counselors for CredAbility, a national nonprofit credit counseling and education agency, speak daily with hundreds of homeowners seeking a loan modification or other solutions to keep their homes. The organization has several tips for people that will help them increase the chances that their application is reviewed as quickly as possible.

Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages fall to 4.69 pct., lowest level on records dating to 1971

Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level on records dating to 1971, giving consumers added incentive to lock in low payments for home purchases and refinanced loans. The average rate for 30-year fixed loans sank to 4.69 percent, from 4.75 percent last week, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday. That’s the lowest point [...]

Refinancing Revitalized

A few years ago, the mortgage industry and housing market were on fire. Home values were on the rise and mortgage rates were dropping. Homeowners across the country took advantage of this by pulling out equity and/or consolidating debt, many of which taking out up to 80% of the appraised value (the Fannie Mae limit [...]