3 Bills Could Bring More Mortgage Relief

Three bills intended to increase homeowner refinancing were introduced this week by Democratic senators -- bills that HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said are "a win, win, win and something that we think can gain real bipartisan support very quickly and get passed." The bills, if passed, would complete President Barack ... Continue Reading »

Foreclosures Put 8 Million Children At Risk, Study Says

By Kerri Panchuk The foreclosure crisis impacted the lives of 8 million American children, and has left them and their parents at increased risk of homelessness and poverty, a Brookings Institution report says. A study by Brookings scholar Julia Isaacs said 2.3 million children lost homes during the first wave of ... Continue Reading »

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Prod Banks on Short-Sale Reviews

By Jon Prior Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require mortgage servicers to make decisions on short sales under new timelines beginning this June. Servicers must review and respond to a borrower within 30 days of receiving all documentation. According to guidance released Tuesday, the servicer can take up to 60 days on ... Continue Reading »

Loan Thaw? Average Mortgage Up by $20,000, Study Says

By Kerri Panchuk The average loan size that lenders issued to borrowers in the past three months grew by $20,000, suggesting a thawing in mortgage lending, Capital Economics said Wednesday. While the report, which was released by Capital Economics analysts Paul Dales, Paul Diggle and Amna Asaf, stopped short of ... Continue Reading »

Fannie Mae Poll: More Say Buying a Home Now Is Smart

By Kerri Panchuk A new Fannie Mae study suggests Americans are beginning to consider 2012 a good year to acquire a home. The government sponsored enterprise released its March National Housing Survey of just over 1,000 Americans and found more citizens expect rents and home prices to increase in the coming months, ... Continue Reading »

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