Stephen Harker

U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications Index Rose 0.5% Last Week

Stephen Harker — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:41:00 GMT

U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications Index Rose 0.5% Last Week
BusinessWeek | March 10, 2010
Mortgage applications in the U.S. rose for a second week, led by an increase in purchases that may indicate the renewal of a homebuyer tax credit is starting to invigorate demand.

Home Loan Demand Nudge Higher in Latest Week

Stephen Harker — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:40:00 GMT

Home Loan Demand Nudge Higher in Latest Week
The Washington Post | March 10, 2010
U.S. mortgage applications nudged up last week, reflecting increased demand for home purchase loans even as interest rates trekked higher, data from an industry group showed on Wednesday.

A Consumer Bill Gives Exemption on Payday Loans

Stephen Harker — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:39:00 GMT

A Consumer Bill Gives Exemption on Payday Loans
The New York Times | March 9, 2010
Senator Bob Corker, the Tennessee Republican who is playing a crucial role in bipartisan negotiations over financial regulation, pressed to remove a provision from draft legislation that would have empowered federal authorities to crack down on payday lenders, people involved in the talks said.

A New Real Estate Cost to Watch For: Developer's Private Transfer Fee

Stephen Harker — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:15:00 GMT

A New Real Estate Cost to Watch For: Developer's Private Transfer Fee
The Washington Post | March 8, 2010
How about this for a new and ingenious real estate money machine? Every time a house sells during the next 99 years, 1 percent of the price goes back to the original developer or is shared among investor partners. Ka-ching!

Housing: Hope on the Horizon

Stephen Harker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:54:00 GMT

Housing: Hope on the Horizon
BusinessWeek | March 3, 2010
Cash-rich builders are buying land again, betting on a turn in the market for new homes.

The Future of Home-Price Appreciation

Stephen Harker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:54:00 GMT

The Future of Home-Price Appreciation
U.S. News & World Report | March 4, 2010
After its historic decline brought the global economy to its knees, the U.S. housing market is gearing up for a long-awaited recovery. Real estate experts expect home prices to hit bottom in late 2010 or early 2011 before -- finally! -- heading north again.

Pending Home Sales Fall in January, Further Deterioration Expected

Stephen Harker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:53:00 GMT

Pending Home Sales Fall in January, Further Deterioration Expected
DS News | March 4, 2010
Following a surge in activity at the end of 2009, pending home sales dropped in January, and due to abnormal weather conditions this winter, additional declines are anticipated in the coming months, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday.

Home Prices Up 5% Year-Over-Year: Clear Capital

Stephen Harker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Home Prices Up 5% Year-Over-Year: Clear Capital
DS News | March 4, 2010
New data released by Clear Capital Thursday shows that home prices nationally are up 5.0 percent compared to February 2009.

Rates to Stay Low for Extended Period: Fed Officials

Stephen Harker — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:26:00 GMT

Rates to Stay Low for Extended Period: Fed Officials
CNBC | March 3, 2010
A soft economic recovery marked by high unemployment and tame inflation should allow the U.S. Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low for a long time, three top central bank officials said on Wednesday.

Short Sales See Big Jump in Activity

Stephen Harker — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:57:00 GMT

Short Sales See Big Jump in Activity
DS News | February 22, 2010
Despite having a bad wrap for often being slow and problematic, short sales are quickly becoming a preferred method to dispose of distressed properties and avoid foreclosure.

U.S. Housing Aid Winds Down, and Cities Worry

Stephen Harker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:03:00 GMT

U.S. Housing Aid Winds Down, and Cities Worry
The New York Times | February 16, 2010
Over the next six months, the federal government plans to wind down many of its emergency programs for housing. Then it will become clear if the market can function on its own.

Fannie Mae Approves PMI Mortgage Assurance As An Eligible Mortgage Insurer

Stephen Harker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:03:00 GMT

Fannie Mae Approves PMI Mortgage Assurance As An Eligible Mortgage Insurer
RTT News | February 16, 2010
PMI Mortgage Insurance Co., the principal operating subsidiary of PMI Group, Inc. (PMI: News ), said Monday that Fannie Mae (FNM) has approved PMI Mortgage Assurance Co. as a direct issuer of mortgage guaranty insurance.

U.S. Treasury: Economy to Keep Growing in 2010

Stephen Harker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:02:00 GMT

U.S. Treasury: Economy to Keep Growing in 2010
Reuters | February 16, 2010
The United States economy is expected to continue growing this year, although global recovery remains fragile, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin said on Sunday.

FHA Policy Change May Draw Investors Back into Housing Market

Stephen Harker — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:53:00 GMT

FHA Policy Change May Draw Investors Back into Housing Market
Daily Herald | January 29, 2010
Call it three birds with one stone: The federal government hopes simultaneously to help low-down-payment homebuyers, investors who fix up foreclosures, and local communities burdened with too many bank-owned and foreclosed homes - all with one potentially far-reaching policy change.

Economy in U.S. Grew at 5.7% Pace, Biggest Gain in Six Years

Stephen Harker — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:52:00 GMT

Economy in U.S. Grew at 5.7% Pace, Biggest Gain in Six Years
Bloomberg | January 29, 2010
The economy in the U.S. expanded in the fourth quarter at the fastest pace in six years as factories cranked up assembly lines to prevent inventories from plunging.