Foreclosure Aid: States Fall Short on Short Sales" alt="Foreclosure Aid: States Fall Short on Short Sales" />

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the $1.5 billion in new Home Affordable Modification Program funds exclusively for states with the biggest home price drops: California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona (Michigan somehow made it in, too). Now the Treasury Department has announced Part 2 of that project – another $600 ... Continue Reading »

HAMP Program Success Rate Much Lower Than First Reported" alt="HAMP Program Success Rate Much Lower Than First Reported" />

If you've been following the ups and downs – mostly downs – of the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, you know that the HAMP has been one big bottleneck, with just a fraction of homeowners who apply succeeding in getting permanent modifications to their mortgages. Then two weeks ago the federal ... Continue Reading »

Michigan Foreclosure Aid Program Overwhelmed by Calls" alt="Michigan Foreclosure Aid Program Overwhelmed by Calls" />

Last week, with the help of a special $1.5 billion Obama administration fund for the states most devastated by property price declines and foreclosures, the state of Michigan launched its own program for unemployed borrowers who are having trouble paying their mortgages. Unlike the federal Home Affordable Mortgage ... Continue Reading »

Energy Efficiency Loans Lose the Backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac" alt="Energy Efficiency Loans Lose the Backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac" />

Homeowners looking for a hand with energy efficiency just got dealt a big blow – and the fallout could affect everyone looking to take out a mortgage. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the federal regulator that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced this week that it will not permit homeowners with ... Continue Reading »

Urban Real Estate Gets a Boost Over 'Burbs With New Obama Program" alt="Urban Real Estate Gets a Boost Over 'Burbs With New Obama Program" />

Are you trying to decide between buying a cozy house in town or a big place in a new subdivision? Today the Obama administration went public with a program that will help make the first choice the much better bet to hold its value over the long term. It's called the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, and the idea ... Continue Reading »