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Former regulator Lockhart heads to WL Ross
(Reuters)
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Reuters - James Lockhart, who earlier this month said he would resign as the U.S. regulator overseeing mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , will become vice chairman of a distressed investment group at Invesco Ltd , the company said on Wednesday. |
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Wells Fargo sued over home equity lines of credit
(AP)
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AP - The banking unit of Wells Fargo & Co. is facing a lawsuit claiming it illegally reduced the size of customers' home equity lines of credit. |
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Homes still affordable - really affordable |
Homes continue to be more affordable than they have been in nearly two decades. |
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U.S. mortgage applications rise as rates plunge: MBA
(Reuters)
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 Reuters - U.S. mortgage applications rose last week, largely reflecting a jump in demand for home refinancing loans as interest rates slid to a five-week low, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.
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Freddie Mac names new chief operating officer
(Reuters)
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Reuters - U.S. mortgage giant Freddie Mac on Tuesday named Bruce Witherell as its new chief operating officer, effective September 14. |
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SmartZip pinpoints hot homes in US foreclosure market
(AFP)
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 AFP - SmartZip has built a free online tool for prospective home buyers and real estate investors eager to mine gems from the rubble of the US foreclosure avalanche.
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IndyMac's mortgage struggle |
Five months after securing a sweet deal to buy IndyMac Bank, the new owners say they are fulfilling their obligation to modify troubled home loans. |
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Major depression common in foreclosed homeowners
(AFP)
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 AFP - More than a third of US homeowners in foreclosure show signs of serious depression, according to a medical study published Tuesday, highlighting the crisis' hidden impact on public health.
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Housing starts, building permits dip |
Initial construction of U.S. homes edged lower in July following a surge in the previous month, according to government figures released Tuesday. |
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Ex-Wall St. broker convicted in $1B subprime fraud
(AP)
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AP - A former Wall Street broker has been convicted of conspiracy and securities fraud after investors lost nearly $1 billion in a subprime mortgage fraud. |
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Mortgage deliquency rate hits all time high in 2Q
(AP)
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AP - The delinquency rate on U.S. mortgage loans hit an all-time high in the second quarter, but the pace of growth for the rate slowed, a possible sign the mortgage crisis may be beginning to turn the corner. |
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STORY REMOVED: TransUnion-Mortgage Delinquencies
(AP)
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AP - The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about mortgage delinquencies in the fourth quarter of 2008. The story contained dated information. A corrected story will be sent shortly. |
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Homebuilder sentiment index rises in August
(AP)
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 AP - The National Association of Home Builders said Monday its housing market index rose in August to the highest point in more than a year, as homebuyers hurried to take advantage of a federal tax credit before it expires.
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August home-builder sentiment highest in year
(Reuters)
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 Reuters - U.S. homebuilder sentiment in August rose to its highest level in over a year, a private survey showed on Monday, adding to mounting evidence that the housing market and economic recession were leveling out.
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Real estate lifeline extended through mid-2010 |
Read full story for latest details. |
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China said to be buying U.S. mortgages |
Read full story for latest details. |
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Colonial's failure could make mortgages more scarce |
The collapse of Colonial BancGroup poses another hazard to the still-shaky housing market: Mortgages could become even harder to get. |
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Motor City's commercial property market ailing
(AP)
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AP - Times are tough for U.S. commercial property owners, but few have it worse than landlords in Detroit. |
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U.S. Marshals seeks brokers for 3 Madoff homes |
The U.S. Marshals Service is asking real estate agents to put in bids to be the listing agents for three properties owned by convicted swindler Bernard Madoff. |
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After years of decline, Cleveland aims to go green
(Reuters)
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 Reuters - Orchards and vineyards may soon spring from the blight of thousands of abandoned buildings in Cleveland, a city struggling to rise from years of decline and home foreclosures.
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Mortgage Security Issuance Rises But Private Segment Still AWOL
(Investor's Business Daily)
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Investor's Business Daily - While residential real estate is showing signs of life, the private mortgage securities market remains in a coma. |
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Economy - Thursday
(Investor's Business Daily)
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Investor's Business Daily - Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages rose 7 basis points in the week ended Aug. 13 to an average of 5.29%, Freddie Mac said. It was the 11th straight week above 5%. Still, that's below last year's 6.52%. Higher rates could hurt demand for home loans and slow a housing market recovery. Rates on 15-year fixed mortgages also rose to 4.68%, but rates on 1-year adjustables fell. |
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Ginnie Mae top exec leaving for private sector job
(AP)
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AP - The head of the government agency that packages federally backed mortgages into investments is stepping down for a new job, people familiar with his plans said. |
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Foreclosures rise 7 percent in July from June
(AP)
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 AP - The number of U.S. households on the verge of losing their homes rose 7 percent from June to July, as the escalating foreclosure crisis continued to outpace government efforts to limit the damage.
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Mortgage rates waver as Fed slows buying |
Home mortgage rates were mixed this week as the Federal Reserve began easing away from its repurchase of Treasurys. |
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NY AG sues foreclosure rescue firm
(AP)
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AP - New York's attorney general is suing a foreclosure rescue company and its owner, claiming they engaged in deceptive business practices and false advertising. |
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Ratings changes do little to move Lennar, KB Home
(AP)
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AP - Surprisingly strong sales results from one homebuilder prompted Raymond James analysts to change its ratings on two others in the industry on Thursday. |
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U.S. mortgage rates rise, may curb demand: survey
(Reuters)
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Reuters - U.S. mortgage rates rose in the latest week as Treasury yields climbed, according to a survey released on Thursday, a move that may dampen home loan demand. |
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Foreclosure plague: No cure yet |
The foreclosure plague continued to devastate last month. |
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