By Jim Woodard
Published: February 20,2012
When candidates for public office support the elimination of modification of certain homeownership benefits as a cost-cutting means, that action could cost them the election.
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 30,2012
Applications for large mortgages are exceeding the number for modest mortgages in today’s market. Mortgage bankers funded $26.6 billion of jumbo loans during the third quarter of last year. That’s a 30 percent gain from the same period during the previous year, according to recent survey figures compiled by National Mortgage News. Jumbo mortgages are those larger [...]
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 27,2012
Many homeowners with "underwater” mortgages can still refinance their loan with a lower-cost affordable mortgage, thanks to the Home Affordable Refinance Program, recently revised and extended until Dec. 31, 2013.
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 17,2012
A new landscape is emerging in many cities. Open space is replacing the growing number of vacant homes.
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 16,2012
A home that has a reputation for being haunted may be an outstanding bargain for a homebuyer. This and other types of stigmas can push the price down by 10 to 15 percent on average, according to one study. In some cases, the price reduction is much more.
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 6,2012
As local, county and state governments face growing, and sometimes desperate, economic needs, they increasingly turn to real estate transfer taxes as a source of funding. This is a tax that may be imposed at the closing of home sales or other real property transactions.
By Jim Woodard
Published: January 3,2012
The sluggish economy and high unemployment rate has a greater impact on today's homeowners than a possible foreclosure. It also increases the risk of home burglaries and even home invasions.
By Jim Woodard
Published: December 30,2011
An interesting trend is surfacing in today's housing industry. More first-time homebuyers are being financially assisted by their parents. This is particularly noticeable when the parents are among the baby boomer generation. They are showing an intense interest in helping their children and grandchildren become homeowners.
By Jim Woodard
Published: December 27,2011
Strategic defaults, the practice of homeowners defaulting on their mortgage even though they have the financial capability to make the payments, are on the rise.
By Jim Woodard
Published: December 23,2011
Recent news reports indicate a growing trend of individuals and families opting to rent a residence as opposed to buying a home. This is probably a temporary, and not a long-term, trend.
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