RealtyTrac NewsRoom - News and Opinion

News and Opinion

Featured Article

Short Sales Save the Housing Market | Pre-Foreclosure Sales

Will Short Sales Finally Save the Housing Market?

By Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President May 15, 2012 Short sales, where a distressed property (often in foreclosure) is sold for less than what is owed on the mortgage, have long been viewed as an elegant solution to the nation’s foreclosure problem — at least in theory. A short sale, in theory, provides a win-win-win for the buyer, bank and even the seller. The buyer purchases a house they want at a price they can afford, the bank gets the best price for its distressed asset, and the seller walks away from a mountain of debt, free to get a fresh start. Read Complete Article

Current News and Opinion

Banks Outbidding Investors at Auction in Some Recovering Markets By Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer May 14, 2012 Real estate investors are being outbid by lenders at foreclosure auctions in some recovering housing markets Top Fla. Court Hears Landmark Foreclosure Case By Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer May 11, 2012 The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 10 in a landmark mortgage foreclosure case that could have far-reaching consequences. Is It Time To Turn Foreclosures Into Rent-To-Own Properties? By Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist May 10, 2012 If ever there was a case for owning rental real estate, that case was probably made by two reports which came out during the past week. Foreclosure Buying 101 Slideshow By Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President May 10, 2012 About once a month I have the pleasure of hosting a webinar for RealtyTrac users called Foreclosure Buying 101. Here are the slides used in the webinar, along with a link to view a recording. New Fed Rule Could Reduce Foreclosure Prices By Peter G. Miller May 10, 2012 The federal government has proposed new rules that would significantly limit mortgage loan origination fees and possibly result in reduced foreclosure prices. 4 Steps to Buying a Bank-Owned Home By Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President May 9, 2012 Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing a bank-owned (REO) property. Keep in mind that not all of these properties are listed for sale with a real estate agent. Why The Foreclosure Crisis Will Continue By Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist May 9, 2012 Maybe one of the biggest foreclosure centers of all sits across the river from Manhattan. 5 Steps to Buying at Foreclosure Auction By Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President May 8, 2012 Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing at the public foreclosure auction (NTS, NFS). Foreclosed Homes a No-Go This Time Around: Diary of a Rookie Real Estate Investor By Joel Cone, Staff Writer May 7, 2012 While short sales have been out of the question due to time restrictions, bank owned homes (REOs) are seeing multiple offers and outright bidding wars ending at above listing price. 5 Steps to Buying a Pre-Foreclosure (Short Sale) By Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President May 7, 2012 Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing a pre-foreclosure property. These properties are typically short sales because the homeowners owe more the property is worth.