Mortgages
Foreclosure reviews for 4.5 million consumers extended three months
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System recently extended from April 30, 2012 to July 31, 2012 the deadline for seeking a review of their mortgage foreclosure under the federal “Independent Foreclosure Review”.
Obama budget proposes Mortgage Debt Relief Act extension
The Mortgage Debt Relief Act (MDRA) of 2007 is getting a vote of confidence from the Obama Administration. And that could save you tens of thousands of dollars. The administration's
Third charmed week of record low, 30-year fixed mortgage rates
The average interest rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages (FRMs) has remained at the record low of 3.87 percent since the first week of February, below 4 percent
California nets $18 billion of landmark $25-billion national mortgage settlement
California's $18 billion cut of the $25 billion national mortgage settlement beats a zero, but it's too small to change the landscape of the Golden State's housing crisis. The
Mortgage servicers in $25 billion settlement fined $766.5 million
That landmark $25 billion civil settlement against five mortgage servicers charged with institutionalized foreclosure abuse? It also comes with a hefty $766.5 million fine. What's more, the fines won't
Feds, states reach $25 billion agreement with five mortgage servicers
Federal and state agencies today announced a landmark $25 billion civil settlement against mortgage lenders after a year-long investigation into an institutionalized culture of foreclosure abuse. The settlement, over
Record low 30-year fixed mortgage rates remain unchanged
The average interest rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages (FRMs) remained at the record low of 3.87 percent, with an average 0.8 point for the week ending Feb.
Congress hears plight of San Jose, CA woman evicted from her home of 41 years
JANICE ROMBECK - A seriously ill South San Jose woman who recently was evicted from her home of 41 years by Wells Fargo Bank is receiving support from
Record low mortgage rates just keep coming
Another week of news about record low mortgage rates largely fell on deaf ears for consumers who can't meet strict mortgage underwriting requirements to buy a home or
Improved HARP music to ears of more homeowners
The new Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) spreads a wider net for struggling homeowners previously unable to take advantage of the federal program. With refinancing rates at record lows,
Short sale, foreclosure, other debt forgiveness beyond 2012 could cost you tens of thousands of dollars
It may not be the end of the world, but in 2012, when the Mortgage Debt Relief Act (MDRA) of 2007 expires, it will end one of the
Video: Mortgage modifications by the numbers
This four-part video series offers a step-by-step approach to a mortgage modification. The series offers a look at the host of documents you'll have to complete, need-to-know background
HAMP program enhancements offer modifications to more underwater homeowners
It may be impossible to reach every struggling homeowner, but the Obama Administration's upgrades to Making Home Affordable programs should increase the number of homeowners who need help. For
Mortgage rates up this week
Year-end housing gains helped boost interest rates this week. The average interest rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages (FRMs)rose to 3.98 percent, with an average 0.7 point for the
Housing takes back seat to economy in State of the Union Address
President Barack Obama heavily laced his 2012 State of the Union Address with comments about solutions for the nation's economic malaise, but he gave housing the short shrift. Housing
Mortgage lenders offer states $25 billion for faulty foreclosures
The five largest U.S. mortgage lenders have offered a $25 billion settlement proposal that could make it easier for some struggling homeowners to avoid foreclosure and have their
Government-mandated down payments would block creditworthy home buyers
CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING - As federal regulators consider setting down-payment standards on new mortgages, a new study shows such rules could push 60 percent of creditworthy borrowers
Why a strategic default is never strategic
JOY BENDER - San Diego short sale real estate agent Joy Bender has launched a campaign to educate high-end homeowners on the alternatives to strategic default. A strategic default
Another week of record-low (yawn) mortgage rates
The eighth record-low week of mortgage rates in a year doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the land of high unemployment, tight lending standards and weak
Will fixed mortgage interest rates drop to 2 percent?
Remember back in 2009, at the height of the housing bust, when the U.S. Treasury suggested lenders offer modifications with interest rates as low as 2 percent? We do. The




















