Tag Archives: housing market

Wells Fargo Announces New Housing Assistance Program

USA Foreclosures 101

Few months ago, Bank of America announced plans to streamline its paperwork process in order to facilitate more short sales among distressed homeowners facing foreclosure. That action was met with limited approval among critics who insist that America’s banks are out to steal from America’s homeowners. Now, another plan has been announced by one of the nation’s major banks to help low income home buyers while at the same time reducing the number of vacant … Continue reading →

Short Sales Gain In January And February 2012

USA Foreclosures 101

Two months ago Bank of America announced plans to streamline its paperwork process in order to allow more distressed homeowners to get out of their obligations through a short sale rather than going through foreclosure. The news was greeted happily by some who saw it as a means of helping these homeowners and bringing some stability to the housing market. Others rebuffed the announcement claiming it was just a publicity stunt by Bank of America … Continue reading →

Short Sales Being Streamlined by Bank of America

USA Foreclosures 101

As one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country, Bank of America has great sway with the rest of the industry when it makes a decision contrary to the norm. Such is the case with their recent announcement of plans to streamline the short sale process in order to conclude a deal in 20 days or less. Right now the typical short sale can take months while a bank goes through the paperwork process … Continue reading →

Geithner, Treasury At It Again

USA Foreclosures 101

The Independent, a popular London-based newspaper, is reporting on a story out of the U.S. Treasury not being carried by very many American news outlets. According to the Independent, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is locked in a head-to-head battle with the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) over whether or not Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should sign off on a principal reduction plan included as part of the foreclosure settlement announced last … Continue reading →

Foreclosure Affecting More Than Just Homes

USA Foreclosures 101

In light of the continually troubled housing market it’s understandable that the vast majority of attention being paid to foreclosures is squarely on distressed homeowners and their properties. But truth be known, foreclosures go far beyond just residential properties. All over the country commercial enterprises are finding themselves in serious financial trouble as well. Among some of the hardest hit are America’s churches. Such is the case with Faith Christian Church of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. … Continue reading →

Foreclosures Hurting Sales Of New Homes

USA Foreclosures 101

There have been several reports over the last couple of weeks suggesting the number of foreclosed homes being put back on the market will increase significantly heading into the summer months. Some of those reports indicate real estate values will fall as the number of properties available to buyers grows. If so, what does it mean for new home sales heading in the future? The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money says the rise in foreclosures being … Continue reading →

New York Joins Other States To Move Foreclosures Along

USA Foreclosures 101

Frustrated by long delays and the seeming inability of mortgage lenders to complete the loan modification process, New York State’s courts are adopting new procedures that would allow judges to exercise more control over individual foreclosures. The measures are expected to help speed up the foreclosure process by forcing lenders to either modify loans according to the law or complete the foreclosure altogether. New York joins 19 other states taking similar measures to help bring … Continue reading →

Foreclosures On The Rise Among Wealthy

USA Foreclosures 101

During the last few months of 2011 we were treated to nightly reports about the Occupy Wall Street movement and its offspring around the country. One of the chief complaints coming from the occupiers is their perception that the wealthy keep getting wealthier off the backs of the poor. The “One Percenters,” the occupiers allege, are making life miserable for the rest of the country by stealing all the wealth. If you sympathize with the … Continue reading →

Foreclosures And The Future

USA Foreclosures 101

When the housing market suffered a dramatic hit in 2007, foreclosures in Washtenaw County, Michigan went up by roughly 65%, with thousands forced to go through the foreclosure process each year. But the devastating effect of foreclosures in Washtenaw County is not just confined to this area because this could be a precursor to the continuation of foreclosures in other declining areas like Detroit. However, some states should take notice of Michigan’s decision to introduce … Continue reading →

Foreclosure Problems Not Entirely The Fault Of Banks

USA Foreclosures 101

If nothing else, the recent settlement between 49 state attorneys general and five of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders has exposed many weaknesses in the current system of mortgage lending and foreclosures. However, it’s important that both consumers and the media refrain from jumping on the banks and blaming them exclusively. They certainly do own their fair share of the blame here, but we cannot leave out the responsibility of consumers and the federal government. … Continue reading →