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Homeowner’s Toolkit Archive
RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—(MCT)—A Bank of America freeze on foreclosure sales spread Friday to the Inland Empire in California after the biggest bank in the U.S. announced it was broadening an investigation into its foreclosure practices to all 50 states.
The halt, which took effect yesterday, adds to growing concerns that lenders have been repossessing homes without following proper protocol.
RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—(MCT)—In response to the recent crimes against real-estate agents in the Youngstown and Kent, Ohio, areas, local real-estate brokers are reviewing safety precautions for their agents. These incidents remind all agents nationwide to review safety procedures when showing vacant homes. ...
RISMEDIA, December 27, 2010—Refinancings through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) increased 26% in the third quarter of 2010. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan modifications through the Home Affordable
RISMEDIA, December 23, 2010—(MCT)—Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to modify the mortgages of nearly 15,000 California homeowners who teeter on the brink of foreclosure under a $2 billion deal with state officials. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo and the California attorney
RISMEDIA, December 16, 2010—As part of the 2010-11 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS® recently rated exterior replacement projects among the most cost-effective home improvement projects, demonstrating that curb appeal remains one of the most important aspects of a home at resale time. "This year's Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report highlights the importance of exterior projects, which not only provide the most value, but are also among the least expensive improvements for a home," said National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I.
RISMEDIA, December 16, 2010—(MCT)—Almost half of American households are on course to struggle through retirement because they haven't been saving enough money while working and raising their children. But it doesn't have to be this way.
RISMEDIA, December 15, 2010—(MCT)—The number of homeowners in the U.S. who owe more on their properties than what those homes are worth has declined steadily for most of 2010, according to Santa Ana, Calif. research firm CoreLogic. But the drop in properties with negative equity has more to do with troubled borrowers losing their homes to foreclosure than an increase in prices. About 10.8 million, or 22.5% of residential properties with mortgages were in negative equity positions at the end of the third quarter. That is down from 11 million, or 23%, in the second quarter.
RISMEDIA, December 15, 2010—While everyone is preparing for the holiday season, are you singing to a different tune as you stress about your upcoming move? Moving can be demanding on its own, plus combined with the stresses of preparing for the holidays, can be as challenging as
RISMEDIA, December 10, 2010—A new study recently released by Fannie Mae finds that most Americans—both those who currently own their homes and those who rent—strongly aspire to own a home and to maintain homeownership, despite ongoing turmoil in the housing market.
RISMEDIA, December 9, 2010—Trulia.com, a top site for home buyers, sellers and renters, and RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties released the latest results of an ongoing survey tracking home buyers' attitudes toward foreclosed homes. Results of the
RISMEDIA, December 8, 2010—(MCT)—This holiday season will be a happy one in the Bellwood, Ill., home that Rogelio Huerta and Maria Soto share with their two young sons. That's because the couple recently made the first mortgage payment on a permanent loan modification that will
RISMEDIA, December 7, 2010—(MCT)—David, Christy and Noah Swindlehurst are practicing new math at their Eden Prairie, Minn., town home—minimal addition, maximum subtraction. ...
RISMEDIA, December 6, 2010—For most Americans, the holiday season means shopping for family and friends. But this year, spending a little money at home can equal big savings today, next year and for years to come. With time running out to cash in on the popular home energy efficiency tax ...
RISMEDIA, December 6, 2010—(MCT)—Brightening economic signs are pushing interest rates higher, choking off a surge in home refinancing at the same time that buyers are showing more willingness to purchase houses at today's beaten-down prices. Fannie Mae said that the typical rate
RISMEDIA, December 6, 2010—(MCT)—The abandoned rowhouse next door to Wendy and Brian Malaney has been a nightmare of a neighbor. The rowhouse's roofing material blew off, and water seeped through the Malaneys' adjoining walls. Later the pipes burst in the neighboring property, flooding their basement. The air they and their two young daughters breathe is now heavy with the noxious stink of mold.
