Senior retrofits, energy upgrades push remodeling
The growing trend among homeowners to remain in their homes and remodel has provided a boost to the remodeling market. The strongest sectors of the remodeling market are aging-in-place retrofits, energy efficiency upgrades, and reinvesting in distressed properties. The residential remodeling market will continue to experience measured growth in 2012 after the Remodeling Market Index […]15 years ago
Loan mods, short sales reduce foreclosure rate
Foreclosures decreased by 8.4 percent – or 130,000 – in 2011, according to research by CoreLogic. “The pace at which properties are entering foreclosure is slowing,” Mark Fleming, chief economist with CoreLogic, told CNNMoney. “And servicers nationwide stepped up the rate at which they were able to process distressed assets.” So why are foreclosures dropping? […]15 years ago
Skeletons in the closet: Surprises in abandoned homes
More real estate agents are reporting horrifying finds in abandoned, foreclosed homes, including the bodies of former homeowners.15 years ago
Squatter finally gets evicted after eBook, $16 stay
After eight months of squatting in a $340,000 home, Kenneth Robinson was finally forced to leave after a court ruled he did not have claim to the property.15 years ago
Homebuilders cagey about spring forecast
The CEOs of some of the nation's biggest home-building companies said that they feel the housing market has stabilized.15 years ago
Tom Kelly: Would you rent me your driveway?
My father was a physician in a two-man shop. He was also a baseball fan. When he was "on call" and felt things were calm enough to attend a game, he went to great lengths to make sure he could get out of his parking place and, if need be, race to the hospital.15 years ago
State concerned about uptick in timeshare scams
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is warning consumers to be aware of unscrupulous companies that promise to sell or rent timeshares.15 years ago
Tom Kelly: Con artist focused on run-down yards
A clean, well-kept yard not only increases value, but it also gives the impression the owner is present and involved in its maintenance.15 years ago
Sugar daddies: More parents helping with mortgages
The tightened lending standards are keeping a lot of young borrowers on the sidelines in home buying today. That’s where parents are stepping in. More parents are taking on the role as mortgage lenders to help their kids take advantage of low home prices and record-low mortgage rates. In fact, one in three first-time homebuyers […]15 years ago
Denied a loan modification? Help may be on the way
The Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Administration will issue new rules in the coming months allowing borrowers who were denied a loan modification to appeal the decision. The action comes under the White House proposal announced this week that also lays out a plan to usher more borrowers into refinanced government-insured mortgages. While the […]15 years ago
Feds investigate Freddie Mac’s bet against homeowners
The Treasury Department is investigating allegations against Freddie Mac that accuse the government-sponsored enterprise of “betting against homeowners’ ability to refinance their loans” while also putting in roadblocks to make it more difficult refinance at today’s lower rates, according to White House spokesman Jay Carney. Some argue that Freddie Mac imposed several barriers to homeowners […]15 years ago
State issues warning of advanced-fee loan scam
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has issued a warning to consumers about a company offering unsecured loans requiring a significant advanced fee. DFI has received complaints from consumers regarding Manchester Capital Trust. Consumers allege that they received an email or a telephone solicitation advising they were pre-qualified to receive an unsecured loan. […]15 years ago
Cutoff date looms on huge loan settlement
Federal and state officials negotiating with major banks on a settlement over allegedly improper foreclosures have given state attorneys general until February 3 to opt in to a potential deal. The number of states participating could affect the value of the deal or whether an accord is even reached. Government officials are seeking a deal […]15 years ago
Tom Kelly: Taking an extra step to help seniors
One common misperception of reverse mortgages is that prospective borrowers can qualify for an amount equal to the value of their home, or at least the FHA loan limit.15 years ago
National home prices to dip 1% in 2012, rebound in 2013
The double-dip in home prices that began two years ago continued through the third quarter of 2011, according to the latest Fiserv Case-Shiller Indices. However, there are signs of a recovery for 2013. The gauges project average home prices in the United States will drop another 1 percent in 2012, and that increased home sales […]15 years ago
First-time buyers willing to compromise but avoid ‘fixers’
While first-time homebuyers are driven to homes that offer a reasonable monthly mortgage payment, they are not eager to take on a "fixer-upper" just to get in the door.15 years ago
Five low-cost kitchen updates to attract buyers
Considered the heart of a home, the kitchen can be instrumental in selling a property.15 years ago
Federal Reserve vows to keep rates low until 2014
The Federal Reserve announced that short-term interest rates will likely stay near zero for nearly three more years, a move that is expected to spillover to long-term mortgage rates for home buyers and home owners. In August, the Fed had made a rare move to say it would keep rates near zero until at least […]15 years ago
One-up on recycled cups: Starbucks debuts recycled store
Starbucks has stated it intends to make 100 percent of its cups reusable or recyclable by 2015. The company has already taken its conservation-minded initiatives into retail design.15 years ago
Tom Kelly: Universal design key to long-term care
Builders are doing an admirable job of incorporating universal design features in new homes but baby boomers continue to be slow in accepting the need for them. Perhaps you know the type . . . people who do not want to accept the fact that they will eventually get old. “I think universal design features […]15 years ago
Interview reveals Gingrich warned against changing Freddie
Freddie Mac paid a consulting firm headed by Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich a $25,000 monthly retainer in 2006, according to documents released by The Gingrich Group and posted on its website. The contract capped the retainer at $300,000 for the year. The documents reveal little about what Gingrich actually did for Freddie. But an […]15 years ago
Blinded by the price: Tips for bargain shoppers
Home buyers may be attracted to the big bargains that foreclosures and pre-foreclosures can offer. But distressed properties can involve tricky, lengthy transactions, and there’s a lot to think about before jumping in. Four moves to make before you buy: Never underestimate a title search: Recent liens could have been placed on the property, even […]15 years ago
