And if the US Government Does Not–Then Interest Rates Rise Significantly Regardless Nine in ten loans today are guaranteed by either Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or governmental agencies according to this Wall Street Journal article.   Without some form of guaranty from the US government, interest… Read more

 The article in American Banker from Friday, August 20th can be read in its entirety at ALTA.com  Could 4.5% Refis Be a Balm for Mortgage Crisis?- American Banker via ALTA

When you look at investments, you have to consider the alternatives to gauge whether buying is attractive or not. By all means make certain to include the tax ramifications.  It’s the alternatives that the writer of the commentary below leads to conclusion that foreclosed housing… Read more

One in five recent retail property sales were distressed—but supply is being snapped up quickly by value seekers and is spilling over into non-distressed properties with buyers seeking institutional grade quality. Lending has returned to high-quality assets (indicating lenders are comfortable that prices have bottomed)… Read more

May 2010 Case-Shiller Home Price Series Indicates Most Markets Coming Off the Bottom — A Few Markets Gaining Double The majority of the 20 cities included in the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are showing gains off the bottom in May.  Three cities, San Diego,… Read more

New Twist — Converting Foreclosed, Investor-Owned Single Housing into Government Assisted Section 8 Housing Rentals Including Some Up-Scale Properties The avalanche of investor-owned housing being created by record foreclosures, as reported in this Wall Street Journal article, presents a challenge to the owners in how… Read more

Foreclosures Remain Heavy as the Housing Market Continues to Work Through Excess Inventory The loss of more than 7 million jobs since January 2008 continues to haunt housing as even among the most creditworthy cannot continue making payments after losing their jobs.  Prime loan borrowers… Read more

Record low interest rates and a volatile and uncertain stock market are spurring underwater homeowners to bring cash to sell their home and then go right back out and buy bigger-better homes at significantly reduced prices.  Doubling Down on Housing- WSJ

Existing Home Sales For June Down 5.1 Percent Sequentially Form May But Up Almost 10 Percent Year-Over-Year — Prices Up 1 Percent From June 2009. To read the full NAR press release click here

Estate Tax, Which is Zero this Year, Comes Back Full Force in 2011 at a 55 Percent Tax Rate — George Steinbrenner Passing in 2010 Saved His Heirs $500  Million. Estate tax to return in 2011, and it could hurt ordinary folks