http://www.realtytrac.comAcquire insight on various real estate topics like bidding at auctionsen-usCopyright 2010 RealtyTracdarenb@realtytrac.comseoadmin@realtytrac.comhome sellingRealtyTrac CMS system60http://www.realtytrac.com00/content/news-and-opinion/principal-forgiveness-would-save-taxpayers-billions-7731Principal forgiveness is once again on the menu in Washington, this time spurred on by a new report which says taxpayers could save as much as $2.8 billion if troubled borrowers simply owed less.Peter Miller

Principal forgiveness is once again on the menu in Washington, this time spurred on by a new report which says taxpayers could save as much as $2.8 billion if troubled borrowers simply owed less.

0Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTPrincipal forgiveness is once again on the menu in Washington, this time spurred on by a new report which says taxpayers could save as much as $2.8 billion if troubled borrowers simply owed less./content/news-and-opinion/do-americas-homeless-still-have-a-chance-to-dream-7726Twenty in every 10,000 people in the United States on any given night are not realizing their American Dream. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Twenty in every 10,000 people in the United States on any given night are not realizing their American Dream.

0Wed, 15 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTTwenty in every 10,000 people in the United States on any given night are not realizing their American Dream. The latest tally by the National Alliance to End Homelessness reported in April 2013 that 633,782 people were homeless somewhere in this country on a selected night in January 2012. /content/news-and-opinion/where-are-the-real-estate-buyers-7725The news on the real estate front is surely looking good. Compared with a year ago, prices are up, sales are higher, and yet more than a few people worry that today’s good news really signals little more than a short-term financial oddity.Peter Miller

The news on the real estate front is surely looking good. Compared with a year ago, prices are up, sales are higher, and yet more than a few people worry that today’s good news really signals little more than a short-term financial oddity.

0Wed, 15 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe news on the real estate front is surely looking good. Compared with a year ago, prices are up, sales are higher, and yet more than a few people worry that today’s good news really signals little more than a short-term financial oddity./content/news-and-opinion/americas-142-million-vacant-homes-a-national-crisis-7723The housing crash and the subsequent foreclosure crisis has saddled the United States with an extraordinary level of vacant properties, inflicting heavy costs to many American communities, according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth A. DukeOctavio Nuiry

The housing crash and the subsequent foreclosure crisis has saddled the United States with an extraordinary level of vacant properties, inflicting heavy costs to many American communities, according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth A. Duke

0Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe housing crash and the subsequent foreclosure crisis has saddled the United States with an extraordinary level of vacant properties, inflicting heavy costs to many American communities, according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth A. Duke./content/news-and-opinion/who-stole-the-american-dream-7708When the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission issued their final report in 2011, the bi-partisan panel placed blame for the housing and financial crisis on everybody — the big banks, borrowers, federal regulators, independent rating agencies and the fOctavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer

When the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission issued their final report in 2011, the bi-partisan panel placed blame for the housing and financial crisis on everybody — the big banks, borrowers, federal regulators, independent rating agencies and the f

0Fri, 03 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTWhen the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission issued their final report in 2011, the bi-partisan panel placed blame for the housing and financial crisis on everybody — the big banks, borrowers, federal regulators, independent rating agencies and the federal government. The 10-member commission, however, split along party lines, with six Democrats voting to adopt the report and its findings, and four Republicans issuing two dissenting reports. One of the Republican commissioners, Peter J. Wallison, placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the U.S. government’s housing policies. /content/news-and-opinion/is-the-housing-recovery-real-or-a-mirage--7707Clearly there is a very broad consensus that the U.S. housing market has bottomed. But is the fragile housing “recovery” real or a mirage?Octavio Nuiry

Clearly there is a very broad consensus that the U.S. housing market has bottomed. But is the fragile housing “recovery” real or a mirage?

0Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTClearly there is a very broad consensus that the U.S. housing market has bottomed. But is the fragile housing “recovery” real or a mirage?/content/news-and-opinion/25-markets-where-flipping-homes-is-most-profitable-7706Flipping homes — buying, rehabbing and reselling for a profit usually within about 90 days — will likely become more favorable for investors in 2013 as home prices are expected to continue climbing. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Flipping homes — buying, rehabbing and reselling for a profit usually within about 90 days — will likely become more favorable for investors in 2013 as home prices are expected to continue climbing.

0Wed, 01 May 2013 07:00:00 GMTFlipping homes — buying, rehabbing and reselling for a profit usually within about 90 days — will likely become more favorable for investors in 2013 as home prices are expected to continue climbing. And while buying homes as rentals still offers a solid rate of return in many markets, even buy-and-hold investors typically flip properties periodically to fund their ongoing rental purchases. RealtyTrac selected the top 25 markets nationwide where flipping single family homes offers the highest rate of return based on the flipper’s gross profit — the difference between average original purchased price and the eventual flipped sales price of a flipped home. /content/news-and-opinion/are-pocket-listings-making-a-comeback-7703With the rise in home prices across much of the country the increase in demand has brought us back to an old problem: pocket listings, situations where brokers list a home but have it sold before it can appear on a local MLS system.Peter G. Miller, Contributor

With the rise in home prices across much of the country the increase in demand has brought us back to an old problem: pocket listings, situations where brokers list a home but have it sold before it can appear on a local MLS system.

0Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTWith the rise in home prices across much of the country the increase in demand has brought us back to an old problem: pocket listings, situations where brokers list a home but have it sold before it can appear on a local MLS system./content/news-and-opinion/u-haul-biggest-population-shift-to-pittsburgh-in-2012-7696People were on the move in 2012 and apparently the most popular place for them to move to was Pittsburgh, Penn., according to the 2012 Top U.S. Growth Cities Report recently released by U-Haul International.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

People were on the move in 2012 and apparently the most popular place for them to move to was Pittsburgh, Penn., according to the 2012 Top U.S. Growth Cities Report recently released by U-Haul International.

0Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTPeople were on the move in 2012 and apparently the most popular place for them to move to was Pittsburgh, Penn., according to the 2012 Top U.S. Growth Cities Report recently released by U-Haul International./content/news-and-opinion/new-problems-require-new-solutions--7693In the March issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we invited Gary Beasley, president and CEO of Waypoint Homes, to tell us how his company is investing in the foreclosure marketplace. Gary Beasley, president and CEO of Waypoint Homes

In the March issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we invited Gary Beasley, president and CEO of Waypoint Homes, to tell us how his company is investing in the foreclosure marketplace.

0Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTIn the March issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we invited Gary Beasley, president and CEO of Waypoint Homes, to tell us how his company is investing in the foreclosure marketplace. /content/news-and-opinion/presidents-2014-budget-foresees-943-million-fha-bailout-7692The Obama administration’s proposed fiscal budget for 2014 estimates that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will need a $943 million taxpayer bailout this year to cover losses from shaky loans the agency insured as the housing maOctavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

The Obama administration’s proposed fiscal budget for 2014 estimates that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will need a $943 million taxpayer bailout this year to cover losses from shaky loans the agency insured as the housing ma

0Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe Obama administration’s proposed fiscal budget for 2014 estimates that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will need a $943 million taxpayer bailout this year to cover losses from shaky loans the agency insured as the housing market collapsed in 2007./content/news-and-opinion/slow-speed-investor-tracks-phoenix-market-with-realtytrac-7686Michelle McGrew is not in any hurry to move, although she plans on selling the home she and her family live in this year because they want to downsize.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Michelle McGrew is not in any hurry to move, although she plans on selling the home she and her family live in this year because they want to downsize.

0Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTMichelle McGrew is not in any hurry to move, although she plans on selling the home she and her family live in this year because they want to downsize. Nor does she take investing her money in real estate lightly. Having been a real estate agent in Ohio years ago, and now a new licensee in Arizona, the Scottsdale resident is not a typical real estate investor./content/news-and-opinion/should-housing-prices-be-higher-7684The real estate marketplace must be doing well. Peter Miller, Contributor

The real estate marketplace must be doing well.

0Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe real estate marketplace must be doing well. The numbers from many studies point higher, perhaps the best example is the claim by the National Association of Home Builders that 274 metro areas saw rising home values in March./content/news-and-opinion/us-foreclosure-starts-edge-higher-for-second-straight-month-in-march-as-bank-repossessions-continue-to-drop-7683Foreclosure filings were reported on 152,500 U.S. properties in March, a decrease of 1 percent from the previous month and down 23 percent from March 2012.RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 152,500 U.S. properties in March, a decrease of 1 percent from the previous month and down 23 percent from March 2012.

0Tue, 09 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 152,500 U.S. properties in March, a decrease of 1 percent from the previous month and down 23 percent from March 2012. The decrease in March helped drop first quarter foreclosure numbers to the lowest level since the second quarter of 2007. Foreclosure filings were reported on 442,117 U.S. properties in the first quarter, down 12 percent from the previous quarter and down 23 percent from the first quarter of 2012. /content/news-and-opinion/march-madness-rental-tournament-goes-orange--7682If the earlier rounds of March Madness have shown us anything, this year’s tournament has had plenty of excitement, drama and disappointment for die-hard fans and the players.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

If the earlier rounds of March Madness have shown us anything, this year’s tournament has had plenty of excitement, drama and disappointment for die-hard fans and the players.

0Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTIf the earlier rounds of March Madness have shown us anything, this year’s tournament has had plenty of excitement, drama and disappointment for die-hard fans and the players. The Final Four matchups promise to serve up more of the same Saturday night as the teams take the court for the chance to play for the NCAA mens’ basketball national championship in Atlanta next Monday./content/news-and-opinion/las-vegas-apartment-market-still-reeling-7678Not only was Nevada’s residential real estate market hammered during the foreclosure crisis, but the state’s multifamily market did not fare any better.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Not only was Nevada’s residential real estate market hammered during the foreclosure crisis, but the state’s multifamily market did not fare any better.

0Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTNot only was Nevada’s residential real estate market hammered during the foreclosure crisis, but the state’s multifamily market did not fare any better./content/news-and-opinion/is-the-mortgage-interest-deduction-really-safe-in-washington-7675The nation's capital seems very quiet at this time. The sequester deadline has passed and the budget debate continues, both with little apparent impact. Peter Miller, Contributor

The nation's capital seems very quiet at this time. The sequester deadline has passed and the budget debate continues, both with little apparent impact.

0Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe nation's capital seems very quiet at this time. The sequester deadline has passed and the budget debate continues, both with little apparent impact. /content/news-and-opinion/20-markets-where-buying-rentals-still-makes-sense-and-dollars-7670RealtyTrac developed a list of the 20 best markets nationwide for purchasing single family rentals by analyzing median sales prices and average rental rates in hundreds of U.S. housing markets. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

RealtyTrac developed a list of the 20 best markets nationwide for purchasing single family rentals by analyzing median sales prices and average rental rates in hundreds of U.S. housing markets.

0Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTWhile buying single family rental properties has become the darling investment strategy of Wall Street, it may not always make sense for individual real estate investors — particularly in some markets already picked over by the large institutional investors. But there are still markets where the numbers work for the conservative, individual investor looking to purchase foreclosures and other homes as single family rentals. RealtyTrac developed a list of the 20 best markets nationwide for purchasing single family rentals by analyzing median sales prices and average rental rates for 3-bedroom homes./content/news-and-opinion/video-pinpointing-prime-rental-purchases-on-realtytrac-7674RealtyTrac provides local rental rates and estimated monthly payments for all properties listed for sale on its website nationwide — including pre-foreclosures, auctions and REO.RealtyTrac Staff

RealtyTrac provides local rental rates and estimated monthly payments for all properties listed for sale on its website nationwide — including pre-foreclosures, auctions and REO.

0Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac provides local rental rates and estimated monthly payments for all properties listed for sale on its website nationwide — including pre-foreclosures, scheduled foreclosure auctions, bank-owned homes as well as homes for sale that are not in foreclosure. See how to quickly utilize this information to determine prime rental property purchases in your neighborhood. /content/news-and-opinion/individual-investors-feeling-squeezed-out-by-bulk-buyers-7673Editor’s Note: this article is excerpted from the March 2013 issue of RealtyTrac’s award-winning newsletter, the Foreclosure News Report.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: this article is excerpted from the March 2013 issue of RealtyTrac’s award-winning newsletter, the Foreclosure News Report.

0Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTEditor’s Note: this article is excerpted from the March 2013 issue of RealtyTrac’s award-winning newsletter, the Foreclosure News Report./content/news-and-opinion/fannie-freddie-announce-new-loan-modification-rules-7671Starting July 1, 2013, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will simplify mortgage modification rules for borrowers who are delinquent on their mortgages, according to the companies’ federal regulator. Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Starting July 1, 2013, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will simplify mortgage modification rules for borrowers who are delinquent on their mortgages, according to the companies’ federal regulator.

0Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:00 GMTStarting July 1, 2013, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will simplify mortgage modification rules for borrowers who are delinquent on their mortgages, according to the companies’ federal regulator./content/news-and-opinion/housing-climate-change-roils-arizona-market-7669After three years with the third highest state foreclosure total in the nation, the Grand Canyon State cooled off substantially in 2012, coming in with the eighth highest state foreclosure total for the year.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

After three years with the third highest state foreclosure total in the nation, the Grand Canyon State cooled off substantially in 2012, coming in with the eighth highest state foreclosure total for the year.

0Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTAfter three years with the third highest state foreclosure total in the nation, the Grand Canyon State cooled off substantially in 2012, coming in with the eighth highest state foreclosure total for the year./content/news-and-opinion/march-madness--emerges-from-depths-of-foreclosure-obscurity-7655Where did they come from, this high energy group of college athletes that is stealing the show in NCAA March Madness? This Cinderella team from a school most people will admit they’ve never heard of. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Where did they come from, this high energy group of college athletes that is stealing the show in NCAA March Madness? This Cinderella team from a school most people will admit they’ve never heard of.

0Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTWhere did they come from, this high energy group of college athletes that is stealing the show in NCAA March Madness? This Cinderella team from a school most people will admit they’ve never heard of. And now, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles have made a name for themselves, beating Georgetown and San Diego State, making history in the process by becoming the first 15th ranked team to ever advance to the Sweet Sixteen in NCAA history./content/news-and-opinion/is-real-estate-wealth-returning-7654American homeowners are getting rich. Again!Peter Miller, Contributor

American homeowners are getting rich. Again!

0Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTAmerican homeowners are getting rich. Again! There is no other way to read the financial information now coming out which shows that the value of American homes has risen significantly during the past year. For example, the National Association of Realtors says that home values have been rising nationwide for the past 20 months and that existing home values were up 11.6 percent in February when compared with last year. /content/news-and-opinion/back-to-the-foreclosures-in-las-vegas-7652The cab driver looked a bit eccentric, reminiscent of Doc Brown from the Back to the Future trilogy, but I stepped into the back anyway, comforted by the thought that it was not a silver De Lorean.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The cab driver looked a bit eccentric, reminiscent of Doc Brown from the Back to the Future trilogy, but I stepped into the back anyway, comforted by the thought that it was not a silver De Lorean.

0Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe cab driver looked a bit eccentric, reminiscent of Doc Brown from the Back to the Future trilogy, but I stepped into the back anyway, comforted by the thought that it was vanilla-looking minivan rather than a silver De Lorean with wispy smoke pouring out the open door. But about 15 minutes later as the driver finished yelling a string of obscenities at a too-slow car and then swerved as he fished into a backpack sitting on the front passenger seat for an item he wanted to show me, I had second thoughts about my decision to step into this particular cab. /content/news-and-opinion/194m-multi-state-portfolio-faces-foreclosure-7651Six years after agreeing to lend $193,864,853.00 on 20 multi-family apartment complexes throughout the South, lender Column Financial, Inc., has initiated foreclosure proceedings against the portfolio.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Six years after agreeing to lend $193,864,853.00 on 20 multi-family apartment complexes throughout the South, lender Column Financial, Inc., has initiated foreclosure proceedings against the portfolio.

0Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTSix years after agreeing to lend $193,864,853.00 on 20 multi-family apartment complexes throughout the South, lender Column Financial, Inc., has initiated foreclosure proceedings against the portfolio owned by Alliance PP2 FX4 Limited Partnership and Everest PP2 FX$ Limited Partnership jointly referred to as “borrower” in the Deed of Trust./content/news-and-opinion/slideshow-of-foreclosure-starts-short-sales-and-zombie-foreclosures-7650I had the privilege of speaking at the Short Sale Con in Las Vegas recently and was given a full hour to talk about trends in foreclosures and short sales.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I had the privilege of speaking at the Short Sale Con in Las Vegas recently and was given a full hour to talk about trends in foreclosures and short sales.

0Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTI had the privilege of speaking at the Short Sale Con in Las Vegas recently and was given a full hour to talk about trends in foreclosures and short sales. As a bonus I added in a list of the best short sale markets in 2013 as determined by RealtyTrac, along with some new data that RealtyTrac had not yet released on listed and unlisted foreclosures as well as so-called zombie foreclosures. Zombie foreclosures are properties that have started the foreclosure process and have been vacated by the homeowner, but have not yet completed the foreclosure process and become bank owned (REO)./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-andamp-short-sales-its-still-a-buyers-market-7648We have a marketplace which is in transition, where home prices are generally rising and where foreclosures and short sales remain available at discount prices, not possible with limited inventory.Peter G. Miller, Contributor

We have a marketplace which is in transition, where home prices are generally rising and where foreclosures and short sales remain available at discount prices, not possible with limited inventory.

0Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe newest topic in real estate seems to be the idea that somehow there's an “inventory shortage.” The headlines tell us there is a “lack of inventory” and raises the question of “where are the houses?” Well, actually, I don't think that's the case. Instead, I would argue is that we have a marketplace which is in transition, where home prices are generally rising and where foreclosures and short sales remain available at discount prices, something which would hardly be possible in a marketplace with limited inventory and massive demand./content/news-and-opinion/is-it-time-to-replace-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-7643An old idea with new make-up is floating around Washington, an effort to once again shut down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and shift mortgage dollars into private pockets, this time under the guise of bi-partisanship.Peter Miller, Contributor

An old idea with new make-up is floating around Washington, an effort to once again shut down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and shift mortgage dollars into private pockets, this time under the guise of bi-partisanship.

0Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTAn old idea with new make-up is floating around Washington, an effort to once again shut down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and shift mortgage dollars into private pockets, this time under the guise of bi-partisanship./content/news-and-opinion/us-bank-repossessions-drop-to-65-month-low-in-february-as-foreclosure-starts-rebound-10-percent-from-january-7638Foreclosure filings were reported on 154,281 U.S. properties in February, an increase of 2 percent from the previous month but still down 25 percent from February 2012. RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 154,281 U.S. properties in February, an increase of 2 percent from the previous month but still down 25 percent from February 2012.

0Tue, 12 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 154,281 U.S. properties in February, an increase of 2 percent from the previous month but still down 25 percent from February 2012, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. “At a high level the U.S. foreclosure inferno has been effectively contained and should be reduced to a slow burn in the next two years,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. /content/news-and-opinion/monitor-progress-being-made-on-settlement-7635It has been over a year since the National Mortgage Settlement was finalized to end the crisis over robo-signing, dual tracking and other illicit foreclosure practices.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It has been over a year since the National Mortgage Settlement was finalized to end the crisis over robo-signing, dual tracking and other illicit foreclosure practices.

0Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTIt has been over a year since the National Mortgage Settlement was finalized to end the crisis over robo-signing, dual tracking and other illicit foreclosure practices, and the person in charge of overseeing the Settlement reported significant progress late last month, although plenty of complaints are flowing in to his office at the same time./content/news-and-opinion/striking-foreclosure-gold-in-the-gateway-city-7625In the February issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we take our readers on a tour of the Gateway City. We wanted to see what’s going on in the St. Louis real estate market and we interviewed some investors and local REO brokers to see what’s going Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

In the February issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we take our readers on a tour of the Gateway City. We wanted to see what’s going on in the St. Louis real estate market and we interviewed some investors and local REO brokers to see what’s going

0Thu, 07 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTIn the February issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we take our readers on a tour of the Gateway City. We wanted to see what’s going on in the St. Louis real estate market and we interviewed some investors and local REO brokers to see what’s going on. Here’s an excerpt of what we found./content/news-and-opinion/better-to-buy-bank-owned-or-short-sale-7619Short sales are on the rise as a better alternative to foreclosure in many areas. But buying from the bank may still be a better option in other markets because of a rebound in REO inventory.RealtyTrac Staff

Short sales are on the rise as a better alternative to foreclosure in many areas. But buying from the bank may still be a better option in other markets because of a rebound in REO inventory.

0Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTShort sales are on the rise as a better alternative to foreclosure in many areas — good news for buyers and investors in markets where short sales are closing more quickly at solid discounts. But buying from the bank may still be a better option in other markets because of increasing REO inventory, deeper discounts and shorter times to close. Analyzing data from the RealtyTrac Foreclosure & Short Sales Report from the fourth quarter of 2012 in more than 900 metro areas nationwide, we’ve come up with the top 15 markets for buying bank-owned homes in 2013 and the top 15 markets for buying short sales in 2013./content/news-and-opinion/do-we-still-need-real-estate-brokers-7620Last week the newspaper reader sent me a letter wanting to know how to complete a real estate transaction. So far, they said, they had found the house and agreed to a price. Peter Miller, Contributor

Last week the newspaper reader sent me a letter wanting to know how to complete a real estate transaction. So far, they said, they had found the house and agreed to a price.

0Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTLast week the newspaper reader sent me a letter wanting to know how to complete a real estate transaction. So far, they said, they had found the house and agreed to a price. The only thing they needed was a contract form to sew up the deal. Turns out that in going to various office-supply stores they could not find quite the agreement they were looking for and wanted to know if I could help./content/news-and-opinion/shifting-gears-is-it-time-to-buy-notes-instead-7618It’s been a good run for real estate investors over the past five years. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s been a good run for real estate investors over the past five years.

0Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTIt’s been a good run for real estate investors over the past five years. Thanks to the subprime fiasco the nation’s economy tanked, home prices fell, interest rates took a nosedive to historic lows, and inventory was plentiful — especially in the foreclosure market./content/news-and-opinion/single-family-reits-a-new-definition-of-homeownership-7617The most significant innovation to hit the residential real estate in decades occurred in 2012. A first single family REIT (real estate investment trust) went public.Greg Rand, CEO, OwnAmerica

The most significant innovation to hit the residential real estate in decades occurred in 2012. A first single family REIT (real estate investment trust) went public.

0Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe most significant innovation to hit the residential real estate in decades occurred in 2012. A first single family REIT (real estate investment trust) went public. For the first time in history, everyday people can own shares of the American Housing Market, $20 at a time. Not since the creation of the 30-year fixed mortgage did so much capital flow into the single family market as will flow into it in the next 10 years, via single family REITs. When millions of people can invest $100 a week in the single family housing market through their retirement accounts and financial planners, a permanent wave of capital will flow into US housing. /content/news-and-opinion/why-the-federal-reserve-needs-a-mortgage-diet-7610The stock market quivered last week when it was announced that the Federal Reserve had given thought to ending its purchase of mortgage-backed securities at some unknown point in the far distant future. Peter G. Miller, Contributor

The stock market quivered last week when it was announced that the Federal Reserve had given thought to ending its purchase of mortgage-backed securities at some unknown point in the far distant future.

0Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe Fed said it will continue its policy of purchasing about $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities each month into the distant future or until the 12th of Never, whichever comes first. The Fed MBS buying policy is pushing down interest rates and at the same time chasing away private-sector investors, the folks with capital. This may have been an appropriate strategy when the foreclosure crisis was at full throttle but that's hardly the situation today, a time when the mortgage marketplace has become substantially less risky. /content/news-and-opinion/gao-says-fha-a-high-risk-to-taxpayers-7607Congress’ independent watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), issued a report recently warning that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a “high risk” federal institution.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Congress’ independent watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), issued a report recently warning that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a “high risk” federal institution.

0Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTCongress’ independent watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), issued a report recently warning that the cash-strapped Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a “high risk” federal institution./content/news-and-opinion/backed-by-big-banks-mers-gains-momentum-in-the-courts-7606In the high stakes game of billiards being played between the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) and government officials, the automated mortgage registry continues to run the table against its opponents in court as more judges deny plaiJoel Cone, Staff Writer

In the high stakes game of billiards being played between the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) and government officials, the automated mortgage registry continues to run the table against its opponents in court as more judges deny plai

0Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTIn the high stakes game of billiards being played between the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) and government officials, the automated mortgage registry continues to run the table against its opponents in court as more judges deny plaintiffs’ causes of action for a litany of reasons./content/news-and-opinion/how-a-smaller-fha-hurts-the-housing-market-7605The FHA has got some problems and that raises a question: Could such difficulties limit the availability of government-backed financing?Peter G. Miller, Contributor

The FHA has got some problems and that raises a question: Could such difficulties limit the availability of government-backed financing?

0Tue, 19 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe FHA has got some problems and that raises a question: Could such difficulties limit the availability of government-backed financing? The GAO says that the FHA's insurance portfolio expanded from $300 billion in 2007 to more than $1.1 trillion today. That's a lot of growth but by itself a larger insurance program is not really a problem. What's a problem is that FHA reserves have fallen substantially and to satisfy future claims it may be necessary to get additional funding from the Treasury Department. Does this mean that FHA-insured mortgages may not be as available in the future as they are today? /content/news-and-opinion/washington-dc-watch-low-inventory-pushes-dc-housing-prices-up-7603As we celebrate President’s Day, we wanted to take a look at housing in the nation’s capital.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

As we celebrate President’s Day, we wanted to take a look at housing in the nation’s capital.

0Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTAs we celebrate President’s Day, we wanted to take a look at housing in the nation’s capital. In the Washington, D.C. region real estate is hot. According to MRIS, inventory is tight as fewer and fewer homes are going on the market. The number of single-family homes on the market plunged 36 percent from January 2012 to January 2013, the Realtor group reported. The short supply of inventory is fueling double-digit rises in home prices. /content/news-and-opinion/feds-sue-sandampp-over-bad-mortgage-bond-ratings-7600Five years after the housing market crashed in 2008, the U.S. Justice Department slapped Standard & Poor’s with civil fraud charges, claiming the nation’s largest credit ratings agency issued rosy rating on risky mortgage bonds.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Five years after the housing market crashed in 2008, the U.S. Justice Department slapped Standard & Poor’s with civil fraud charges, claiming the nation’s largest credit ratings agency issued rosy rating on risky mortgage bonds.

0Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTFive years after the housing market crashed in 2008, the U.S. Justice Department slapped Standard & Poor’s with civil fraud charges, claiming the nation’s largest credit ratings agency issued rosy rating on risky mortgage bonds./content/news-and-opinion/oregons-foreclosure-mediation-program-dissolves-7599Oregon is seeking a new administrator for its foreclosure mediation program, after the Florida think tank running the program closed its doors on January 31, amid financial woes.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Oregon is seeking a new administrator for its foreclosure mediation program, after the Florida think tank running the program closed its doors on January 31, amid financial woes.

0Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTOregon is seeking a new administrator for its foreclosure mediation program, after the Florida think tank running the program closed its doors on January 31, amid financial woes./content/news-and-opinion/florida-justices-side-with-bank-in-foreclosure-fraud-case-7598A Florida homeowner facing a foreclosure lawsuit by Bank of New York Mellon lost a bid at the state’s high court to stop his lender from dropping the case while he tried to prove the bank used fraudulent robo-signed documents in suing him.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

A Florida homeowner facing a foreclosure lawsuit by Bank of New York Mellon lost a bid at the state’s high court to stop his lender from dropping the case while he tried to prove the bank used fraudulent robo-signed documents in suing him.

0Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTA Florida homeowner facing a foreclosure lawsuit by Bank of New York Mellon lost a bid at the state’s high court to stop his lender from dropping the case while he tried to prove the bank used fraudulent robo-signed documents in suing him./content/news-and-opinion/are-we-about-to-see-a-massive-set-back-in-the-housing-sector-7597It really could happen. It’s possible that thousands of pages of financial rules just issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could be tossed out, leaving a mortgage marketplace with far-higher loan rates, lower home values and far-Peter Miller

It really could happen. It’s possible that thousands of pages of financial rules just issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could be tossed out, leaving a mortgage marketplace with far-higher loan rates, lower home values and far-

0Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTIt really could happen. It’s possible that thousands of pages of financial rules just issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could be tossed out, leaving a mortgage marketplace with far-higher loan rates, lower home values and far-ranging uncertainty./content/news-and-opinion/new-illinois-law-speeds-up-foreclosure-process--7595Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law that is designed to speed up the state’s foreclosure process on abandoned, single-family homes and multifamily buildings.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law that is designed to speed up the state’s foreclosure process on abandoned, single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

0Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTIllinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law that is designed to speed up the state’s foreclosure process on abandoned, single-family homes and multifamily buildings./content/news-and-opinion/fannie-freddie-to-allow-deed-in-lieu-program-7594For trapped homeowners unable to short sell or refinance their underwater home mortgages there may be a new option on the horizon.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

For trapped homeowners unable to short sell or refinance their underwater home mortgages there may be a new option on the horizon.

0Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTFor trapped homeowners unable to short sell or refinance their underwater home mortgages there may be a new option on the horizon. Starting March 1, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will let some borrowers with certain hardships who kept up payments as their homes lost value erase their debts by giving up their properties in a so-called deed-in-lieu transaction, which wipes out the shortfall between a property’s value and size of its mortgage./content/news-and-opinion/floridas-fast-track-foreclosure-bill-passes-house-committee-7593A Florida bill designed to speed up the foreclosure process in the Sunshine State passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on February 7, on a 10-3 vote.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

A Florida bill designed to speed up the foreclosure process in the Sunshine State passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on February 7, on a 10-3 vote.

0Tue, 12 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTA Florida bill designed to speed up the foreclosure process in the Sunshine State passed the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on February 7, on a 10-3 vote. Sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, the bill (House Bill 87) allows third-party lienholders to start foreclosure proceeding and rushes final judgment of foreclosure if a homeowner doesn’t file a defense. /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-reviews-grind-to-a-halt--for-now-7592It used to be that a $10 billion settlement would be a legal wonder, an amount so huge that everyone was certain justice had been done and that finality had come to a given issue.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

It used to be that a $10 billion settlement would be a legal wonder, an amount so huge that everyone was certain justice had been done and that finality had come to a given issue.

0Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTIt used to be that a $10 billion settlement would be a legal wonder, an amount so huge that everyone was certain justice had been done and that finality had come to a given issue./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-auction-scheduled-for-baltimore-westport-waterfront-site-7591One of Baltimore’s leading commercial real estate developers is facing a Valentine’s Day foreclosure auction on a 43-acre property known as Westport Waterfront.Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

One of Baltimore’s leading commercial real estate developers is facing a Valentine’s Day foreclosure auction on a 43-acre property known as Westport Waterfront.

0Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTOne of Baltimore’s leading commercial real estate developers is facing a Valentine’s Day foreclosure auction on a 43-acre property known as Westport Waterfront. /content/news-and-opinion/agency-protecting-borrowers-dealt-blow-7590Last week the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit nullified President Barack Obama’s three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board made late last year, declaring them unconstitutional. Octavio Nuiry, Senior Staff Writer

Last week the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit nullified President Barack Obama’s three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board made late last year, declaring them unconstitutional.

0Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTLast week the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit nullified President Barack Obama’s three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board made late last year, declaring them unconstitutional. /content/news-and-opinion/georgia-foreclosures-on-robo-signing-induced-rollercoaster-ride-7589Georgia foreclosures have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past two years that have left the housing market and real estate professionals there reeling and not sure which way is up.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Georgia foreclosures have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past two years that have left the housing market and real estate professionals there reeling and not sure which way is up.

0Mon, 04 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTGeorgia foreclosures have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past two years that have left the housing market and real estate professionals there reeling and not sure which way is up. I presented the numbers, charts and graphs (see slideshow below) to support this statement at the 2013 Inaugural Meeting of the Georgia Association of Realtors last week, and after my meeting two kind Realtors who work the county with the state’s highest foreclosure rate — Walton County — approached me and explained they are living out the roller coaster ride I had just described based on the stats./content/news-and-opinion/top-20-markets-for-foreclosure-deals-in-2013-7587Although U.S. foreclosure activity is past its peak, many local markets are still weighed down with a backlog of unsold foreclosure inventory — representing an opportunity for buyers in 2013.RealtyTrac Staff

Although U.S. foreclosure activity is past its peak, many local markets are still weighed down with a backlog of unsold foreclosure inventory — representing an opportunity for buyers in 2013.

0Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMTAlthough U.S. foreclosure activity is past its peak, many local markets are still weighed down with a backlog of unsold foreclosure inventory — representing an opportunity for buyers and investors to land good deals in 2013. The top 20 markets are those with a combination of ample foreclosure supply, deep foreclosure discounts and recent increases in foreclosure activity. RealtyTrac selected the top 20 metro areas for foreclosure deals in 2013 by looking at four factors affecting availability of foreclosure inventory in 2013 as well as the discounts on foreclosure properties. /content/news-and-opinion/baltimore-edges-san-francisco-in-battle-of-best-place-to-buy-a-foreclosure-7585For every football fan in America, the Super Bowl is the holy grail of sporting events. And with the Baltimore Ravens going against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII this Sunday — East Coast versus West Coast — the hype machine has been hitJoel Cone, Staff Writer

For every football fan in America, the Super Bowl is the holy grail of sporting events. And with the Baltimore Ravens going against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII this Sunday — East Coast versus West Coast — the hype machine has been hit

0Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTFor every football fan in America, the Super Bowl is the holy grail of sporting events. And with the Baltimore Ravens going against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII this Sunday — East Coast versus West Coast — the hype machine has been hitting the airwaves big time all week. /content/news-and-opinion/economists-preach-housing-revival--7584Now that the country dodged the two biggest nonevents of 2012 — the made-in-Washington fiscal cliff and the end of the Mayan calendar — what does the New Year hold for the troubled U.S. housing market? Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Now that the country dodged the two biggest nonevents of 2012 — the made-in-Washington fiscal cliff and the end of the Mayan calendar — what does the New Year hold for the troubled U.S. housing market?

0Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTNow that the country dodged the two biggest nonevents of 2012 — the made-in-Washington fiscal cliff and the end of the Mayan calendar — what does the New Year hold for the troubled U.S. housing market? For the third consecutive year, the Foreclosure News Report wanted to peer into the future, asking five prominent real estate economists to predict what will unravel in 2013. They include Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, Jed Kolko, chief economist at Trulia, Christopher Thornberg, principal at Beacon Economics and David Shulman, senior economist at UCLA’s Anderson Forecast./content/news-and-opinion/finding-distressed-listings-in-2013-7578I presented the slideshow below at REOCON 2013 Summit in Dallas earlier this week and thought it would be beneficial for many others than those who were able to attend the show. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I presented the slideshow below at REOCON 2013 Summit in Dallas earlier this week and thought it would be beneficial for many others than those who were able to attend the show.

0Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTI presented the slideshow below at REOCON 2013 Summit in Dallas earlier this week and thought it would be beneficial for many others than those who were able to attend the show. Of course you won’t get to enjoy the insightful and witty comments made during the course of the presentation, not to mention the pure joy of witnessing my pound-the-pulpit style of speaking. But maybe the data here can speak for itself./content/news-and-opinion/why-mortgage-re-defaults-are-still-with-us-7577For the past two years foreclosure activity has been in decline. According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings fell 29 percent in 2011 and 15 percent in 2012.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

For the past two years foreclosure activity has been in decline. According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings fell 29 percent in 2011 and 15 percent in 2012.

0Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTFor the past two years foreclosure activity has been in decline. According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings fell 29 percent in 2011 and 15 percent in 2012. But while we're seeing fewer foreclosures, some properties which were once thought to be saved are again facing the auction block — a problem generally known as “re-default.”/content/news-and-opinion/the-elegant-eminent-domain-solution-to-negative-equity-and-foreclosures-7572Economists and government officials alike agree that principal should be reduced when it reaches insurmountable levels.Graham Williams

Economists and government officials alike agree that principal should be reduced when it reaches insurmountable levels.

0Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTEconomists and government officials alike agree that principal should be reduced when it reaches insurmountable levels./content/news-and-opinion/distress-and-excess-both-evident-in-new-york-housing-7571Demand is up for New York City housing, particularly from foreign buyers, but the region's housing market still must deal with a glut of stalled foreclosures before it can return to full health.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Demand is up for New York City housing, particularly from foreign buyers, but the region's housing market still must deal with a glut of stalled foreclosures before it can return to full health.

0Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTThe New York housing market gave Henry Djonbalaj three early Christmas gifts. And all three came from afar. “I had three closings today, one was from Russia, one from Ukraine and the other one was from Italy,” said Djonbalaj, owner and broker at Henry Djonbalaj Real Estate in Yonkers, N.Y., said in an interview five days before Christmas 2012. Djonbalaj, who has been working as a real estate agent in New York city’s five boroughs and surrounding suburban counties like Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam since he was licensed in 1984, said that recently he has been working with many European buyers looking for homes both to live in and as rentals./content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-crossing-the-finish-line-7570Well, it was no quick sprint, that’s for sure. The escrow process from beginning to end was more like a series of marathons with some hurdles thrown in along the way for good measure.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Well, it was no quick sprint, that’s for sure. The escrow process from beginning to end was more like a series of marathons with some hurdles thrown in along the way for good measure.

0Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTWell, it was no quick sprint, that’s for sure. The escrow process from beginning to end was more like a series of marathons with some hurdles thrown in along the way for good measure just to test our endurance. But in the end, it’s over./content/news-and-opinion/survey-real-estate-investors-optimistic-about-2013-7569RealtyTrac surveyed more than 100 real estate investors about their outlook for real estate investing in 2013 as well as their primary investing strategies in 2012.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

RealtyTrac surveyed more than 100 real estate investors about their outlook for real estate investing in 2013 as well as their primary investing strategies in 2012.

0Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac surveyed more than 100 real estate investors about their outlook for real estate investing in 2013 as well as their primary investing strategies in 2012. We found that investors are optimistic about their local real estate market in 2013 by an overwhelming margin, with 87 percent having a mostly positive or extremely positive outlook. The majority of investors surveyed, 63 percent, said they primarily or exclusively purchased properties in 2012 as buy-and-hold rentals, while the remaining 37 percent said they primarily or exclusively purchased properties to flip in 2012./content/news-and-opinion/are-cheaper-settlements-coming-to-real-estate-7560There's going to be less risk in the mortgage marketplace as a result of new rules just released by the government, but will there also be some rewards?Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

There's going to be less risk in the mortgage marketplace as a result of new rules just released by the government, but will there also be some rewards?

0Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTThere's going to be less risk in the mortgage marketplace as a result of new rules just released by the government, but will there also be some rewards?/content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-weakness-translates-to-home-price-strength-7559There is correlation to be found between the direction of foreclosure activity in 2012 and the strength — or lack thereof — in home price appreciation during the year.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

There is correlation to be found between the direction of foreclosure activity in 2012 and the strength — or lack thereof — in home price appreciation during the year.

0Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure activity in 2012 was a Jekyll and Hyde affair, with the numbers up in 25 states compared to 2011 but down in the other 25 states. As was pointed out in the RealtyTrac year-end foreclosure report that provided these numbers, there is a strong correlation between the direction foreclosure activity headed in 2012 and the type of foreclosure process used. There is another correlation to be found as well, this one between the direction of foreclosure activity in 2012 and the strength — or lack thereof — in home price appreciation during the year. /content/news-and-opinion/new-mortgage-rules-split-borrower-andamp-lender-benefits-7558For months lenders have been worried about new lending rules, so-called “ability to repay” guidelines which might expose them to expansive liability from dissatisfied borrowers. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

For months lenders have been worried about new lending rules, so-called “ability to repay” guidelines which might expose them to expansive liability from dissatisfied borrowers.

0Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTFor months lenders have been worried about new lending rules, so-called “ability to repay” guidelines which might expose them to expansive liability from dissatisfied borrowers. /content/news-and-opinion/us-foreclosures-fall-in-2012-to-lowest-point-since-market-peaked-7554A total 2,304,941 foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 1,836,634 U.S. properties for all of 2012.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

A total 2,304,941 foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 1,836,634 U.S. properties for all of 2012.

0Thu, 17 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTA total 2,304,941 foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 1,836,634 U.S. properties for all of 2012, the lowest yearly total since the market peaked in 2010. /content/news-and-opinion/oregon-supreme-court-hears-mers-foreclosure-cases-7548Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a pair of cases involving the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS), an obscure organization created by lenders to streamline the bundling, buying and selling of mortgages. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a pair of cases involving the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS), an obscure organization created by lenders to streamline the bundling, buying and selling of mortgages.

0Thu, 17 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTLast week, the Oregon Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a pair of cases involving the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS), an obscure organization created by lenders to streamline the bundling, buying and selling of mortgages. At issue is whether MERS can stand in for its member lenders on real estate deeds under Oregon law — and in effect trigger out-of-court foreclosures./content/news-and-opinion/is-now-the-time-to-buy-foreclosures-7546Editors Note: Expert house flipper Scott Yancey and his wife, Amie, are best known as the stars of the hit A&E TV show “Flipping Vegas” that showcases Scott and Amie buying, rehabbing and flipping houses. Scott Yancey

Editors Note: Expert house flipper Scott Yancey and his wife, Amie, are best known as the stars of the hit A&E TV show “Flipping Vegas” that showcases Scott and Amie buying, rehabbing and flipping houses.

0Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTEditors Note: Expert house flipper Scott Yancey and his wife, Amie, are best known as the stars of the hit A&E TV show “Flipping Vegas” that showcases Scott and Amie buying, rehabbing and flipping houses. Here’s an excerpt from a column written by Yancey for the December 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report./content/news-and-opinion/overhauled-realtytrac-website-demo-7545Every month I get to host a webinar for new members of RealtyTrac, introducing them to the world of foreclosures and also to navigating the RealtyTrac website.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Every month I get to host a webinar for new members of RealtyTrac, introducing them to the world of foreclosures and also to navigating the RealtyTrac website.

0Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTEvery month I get to host a webinar for new members of RealtyTrac, introducing them to the world of foreclosures and also to navigating the RealtyTrac website. The webinar I hosted last month was particularly exciting because I had the opportunity to introduce RealtyTrac’s completely overhauled website to those on the call. The new and improved website makes it much easier to search and refine your search to find exactly the type of properties you want, and it presents the copious amounts of information available for each property in a layout that is much easier to digest./content/news-and-opinion/denver-housing-market-recovering-7544Denver’s housing sector has mojo.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Denver’s housing sector has mojo.

0Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTDenver’s housing sector has mojo. The foreclosure crisis that dragged down Colorado’s residential real estate market is fading. And the long-awaited turnaround in Colorado’s residential real estate market seems to be taking hold — particularly in Denver. Denver’s residential real estate market is on track for growth in 2013, according to experts we interviewed for the December issue of RealtyTrac’s award-winning Foreclosure News Report. /content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-essay-contest-chooses-between-multiple-offers-7543To pick up where I left off last time, our Realtor helped us locate a nice home, not far from where we rent now, with 1,500 square feet of living space and an attached two-car garage. The view of the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding hills from the Joel Cone, Staff Writer

To pick up where I left off last time, our Realtor helped us locate a nice home, not far from where we rent now, with 1,500 square feet of living space and an attached two-car garage. The view of the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding hills from the

0Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTTo pick up where I left off last time, our Realtor helped us locate a nice home, not far from where we rent now, with 1,500 square feet of living space and an attached two-car garage. The view of the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding hills from the back yard were definitely worth the price of admission — or so we initially thought. Plus, it was a short sale./content/news-and-opinion/mortgages-the-fiscal-cliff-is-not-the-only-fake-crisis-7542Much of the past month has been spent arguing about the fiscal cliff and the economic woes which might instantly ensue in 2013 without some sort of saving legislation. But while the fiscal cliff is an artificial crisis, it's not the only one – just lPeter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Much of the past month has been spent arguing about the fiscal cliff and the economic woes which might instantly ensue in 2013 without some sort of saving legislation. But while the fiscal cliff is an artificial crisis, it's not the only one – just l

0Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTMuch of the past month has been spent arguing about the fiscal cliff and the economic woes which might instantly ensue in 2013 without some sort of saving legislation. But while the fiscal cliff is an artificial crisis, it's not the only one – just look at mortgages and the ongoing efforts to either shrink Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or make them go away altogether./content/news-and-opinion/realtytrac-revamped-for-2013-video-7541RealtyTrac has completely revamped its website for 2013 to help you find foreclosures and other real estate deals faster and more efficiently. RealtyTrac Staff

RealtyTrac has completely revamped its website for 2013 to help you find foreclosures and other real estate deals faster and more efficiently.

0Tue, 01 Jan 2013 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac has completely revamped its website for 2013 to help you find foreclosures and other real estate deals faster and more efficiently. You’ll find a much more powerful search functionality with the a redesigned map search interface, along with cleaner property details pages that organize the critical property data you need more intuitively and provide quick access to online tools to help you take action on properties that interest you. /content/news-and-opinion/2013-housing-predictions-take-3-7540Some level of certainty and stability returned to the U.S. housing market in 2012, providing a solid foundation for the market to build on in 2013.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Some level of certainty and stability returned to the U.S. housing market in 2012, providing a solid foundation for the market to build on in 2013.

0Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTSome level of certainty and stability returned to the U.S. housing market in 2012, providing a solid foundation for the market to build on in 2013. But there are still significant risks that threaten this hard-won stability and could trip up some local markets trying to make the tricky transition from stability to strength. /content/news-and-opinion/20-metros-with-more-foreclosures-for-sale-in-2013-7539Foreclosure activity nationwide decreased in 2012 compared to 2011, but many metros across the country experienced a rebound in foreclosure starts and foreclosure completions during the year. RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure activity nationwide decreased in 2012 compared to 2011, but many metros across the country experienced a rebound in foreclosure starts and foreclosure completions during the year.

0Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure activity nationwide decreased in 2012, but many metros across the country experienced a rebound in foreclosure starts and foreclosure completions during the year. Those metros should see an increase in the number of foreclosures for sale -- either as short sales or bank-owned homes listed for sale. The 20 metros below are most likely to see a jump in foreclosure homes listed for sale in 2013 thanks to an increase of at least 20 percent in foreclosure starts and foreclosure completions (REO) combined in 2012. All of these metro areas had at least 2,000 foreclosure starts and REOs combined through November 2012./content/news-and-opinion/2013-housing-predictions-take-2-7538A lower foreclosure inventory combined with historically low interest rates and increasing sales volume has given the nation’s housing market a much needed shot in the arm in 2012. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

A lower foreclosure inventory combined with historically low interest rates and increasing sales volume has given the nation’s housing market a much needed shot in the arm in 2012.

0Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTA lower foreclosure inventory combined with historically low interest rates and increasing sales volume has given the nation’s housing market a much needed shot in the arm in 2012. Whether those trends are sustainable in 2013 is questionable, although there are many promising signs that this will be the case. /content/news-and-opinion/bad-batch-of-fha-loans-fueling-high-foreclosure-rates-7537The Federal Housing Administration stepped into to fill the gap left behind by subprime lending in 2007, and now taxpayers could be paying the price as these loans fall into foreclosure at a high rate.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The Federal Housing Administration stepped into to fill the gap left behind by subprime lending in 2007, and now taxpayers could be paying the price as these loans fall into foreclosure at a high rate.

0Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Federal Housing Administration stepped into to fill the gap left behind by subprime lending in 2007, and now taxpayers could be paying the price as these loans fall into foreclosure at a dangerously high rate. An independent audit of the FHA released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development two weeks ago found that the government-back fund that covers losses on bad loans has an economic value of negative $16.3 billion. /content/news-and-opinion/2013-housing-predictions-take-1-7536In this first installment of our 2013 predictions staff writer Octavio Nuiry predicts an FHA bailout, a chopped-up Mortgage Interest Rate Deduction and a continued increase in short sales.Octavio Nuiry

In this first installment of our 2013 predictions staff writer Octavio Nuiry predicts an FHA bailout, a chopped-up Mortgage Interest Rate Deduction and a continued increase in short sales.

0Fri, 28 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTAs 2012 comes to a close, the U.S. housing market is in recovery, and has turned a page: It looks like 2013 will start to be more “normal,” but hardly a robust period of growth. Next year, foreclosure activity will remain elevated, but fewer filings than in 2012. Home prices will continue to rise as the number of properties that make up the distressed inventory — short sales, auctions and bank-owned REOs — shrinks. Additionally, new home sales and starts will rise in 2013. But there’s a few housing bumps in the forecast for 2013./content/news-and-opinion/tis-the-season-lenders-stop-foreclosing-7535"We're taking this step in support of families who have faced financial challenges and gone through a foreclosure," said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management at Fannie Mae. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

"We're taking this step in support of families who have faced financial challenges and gone through a foreclosure," said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management at Fannie Mae.

0Thu, 27 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMT"We're taking this step in support of families who have faced financial challenges and gone through a foreclosure," said Terry Edwards, Executive Vice President of Credit Portfolio Management at Fannie Mae. "The holidays are a chance to be with loved ones and we want to relieve some stress at this time of year. We encourage homeowners having difficulty to reach out for help as soon as possible." /content/news-and-opinion/is-the-real-estate-recovery-a-fraud-7534Turn just about anywhere and you can find reports of a widespread housing recovery. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Turn just about anywhere and you can find reports of a widespread housing recovery.

0Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTTurn just about anywhere and you can find reports of a widespread housing recovery. Home prices are up, foreclosure levels are down, interest rates remain at record low levels, and consumer confidence has been rising./content/news-and-opinion/fannie-andamp-freddie-turning-the-american-dream-into-a-nightmare-7532Who’s responsible for the housing and foreclosure crisis?Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Who’s responsible for the housing and foreclosure crisis?

0Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTWho’s responsible for the housing and foreclosure crisis? In 2011, The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, a 10-member panel created by Congress in 2009 to investigate the cause of the financial crisis, concluded that Fannie and Freddie “contributed to the crisis but were not a primary cause,” blaming instead everybody else — federal regulators, Wall Street investment banks, subprime lenders and irresponsible borrowers. /content/news-and-opinion/banks-foreclose-in-mysterious-ways-7531The banal 3 percent monthly decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity in November masks wildly volatile swings below the surface of the national data.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The banal 3 percent monthly decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity in November masks wildly volatile swings below the surface of the national data.

0Tue, 18 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe banal 3 percent monthly decrease in U.S. foreclosure activity in November masks wildly volatile swings below the surface of the national data. This is apparent by simply looking at the state foreclosure numbers — with 25 states and the District of Columbia posting monthly increases in foreclosure activity, and 23 states and DC posting annual increases in foreclosure activity — but becomes even more obvious when the data is further broken down by lender or servicer filing the foreclosure notices./content/news-and-opinion/november-foreclosures-the-good-the-bad-and-the-unknown-7526I had the chance to go on HuffPost Live yesterday and talk about findings from the RealtyTrac November 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I had the chance to go on HuffPost Live yesterday and talk about findings from the RealtyTrac November 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

0Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTI had the chance to go on HuffPost Live yesterday and talk about findings from the RealtyTrac November 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The more casual and long-form format of this venue — as opposed to the 10- to 20-second sound byte limitation of many other broadcast media — was ideal for explaining the nuances of this report. On the one hand, the report showed some very good news: U.S. foreclosure starts at a 71-month low. On the other hand it showed some quite concerning news: the first year-over-year increase in bank repossessions since October 2010./content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-its-definitely-a-bumpy-one-7525As we continue our search, my wife and I are hitting a lot of speed bumps along the way. We’re finding there not a lot of foreclosure bargains to be had in Orange County, especially with such a low inventory level. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

As we continue our search, my wife and I are hitting a lot of speed bumps along the way. We’re finding there not a lot of foreclosure bargains to be had in Orange County, especially with such a low inventory level.

0Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTAs we continue our search, my wife and I are hitting a lot of speed bumps along the way. We’re finding there not a lot of foreclosure bargains to be had in Orange County, especially with such a low inventory level. REOs (bank-owned properties) are almost extinct with few exceptions, and while short sales do exist, the competition to acquire them is intense and in some cases hardly worth the effort since many of them require a costly rehab job./content/news-and-opinion/anything-but-foreclosure-7524A trend I wrote about for the December 2012 edition of Scotsman Guide on how lenders are shifting toward short sales and away from foreclosure has become even more pronounced since I wrote it.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

A trend I wrote about for the December 2012 edition of Scotsman Guide on how lenders are shifting toward short sales and away from foreclosure has become even more pronounced since I wrote it.

0Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTA trend I wrote about for the December 2012 edition of Scotsman Guide on how lenders are shifting toward short sales and away from foreclosure has become even more pronounced since I wrote it. /content/news-and-opinion/reo-sales-not-dead-yet-7516The rumors of the demise of REO sales may have been greatly exaggerated — at least in some markets.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The rumors of the demise of REO sales may have been greatly exaggerated — at least in some markets.

0Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe rumors of the demise of REO sales may have been greatly exaggerated — at least in some markets. Sales of bank-owned homes in the third quarter increased 19 percent from the previous quarter nationwide, but were still down 20 percent from the third quarter of 2011. But in some states REO sales jumped much more dramatically. Sales of Ohio foreclosed homes spiked 70 percent from the previous quarter, the biggest quarterly jump of any state. Sales of Ohio REOs were up 17 percent from a year ago. /content/news-and-opinion/76-billion-available-for-millions-facing-foreclosure--7515Distressed homeowners at risk of foreclosure can get emergency financial aid from the federal government, but they have to act fast. Deadlines are tight, and struggling borrowers are already flooding the program with inquiries, according to the nonprOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Distressed homeowners at risk of foreclosure can get emergency financial aid from the federal government, but they have to act fast. Deadlines are tight, and struggling borrowers are already flooding the program with inquiries, according to the nonpr

0Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTDistressed homeowners at risk of foreclosure can get emergency financial aid from the federal government, but they have to act fast. Deadlines are tight, and struggling borrowers are already flooding the program with inquiries, according to the nonprofit Help Share the Word./content/news-and-opinion/are-mortgage-rates-too-high-7513As 2012 comes to an end, we are closing out the year with mortgage rates at or near the lowest levels on record. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

As 2012 comes to an end, we are closing out the year with mortgage rates at or near the lowest levels on record.

0Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTAs 2012 comes to an end, we are closing out the year with mortgage rates at or near the lowest levels on record. /content/news-and-opinion/261-billion-paid-by-national-mortgage-settlement-report-claims-7512The nation’s largest lenders have distributed $26.1 billion in direct relief to nearly 310,000 borrowers, or roughly $84,385 per homeowner as part of the National Mortgage Settlement, according to a progress report released recently by Joseph A. SmitOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The nation’s largest lenders have distributed $26.1 billion in direct relief to nearly 310,000 borrowers, or roughly $84,385 per homeowner as part of the National Mortgage Settlement, according to a progress report released recently by Joseph A. Smit

0Mon, 10 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe nation’s largest lenders have distributed $26.1 billion in direct relief to nearly 310,000 borrowers, or roughly $84,385 per homeowner as part of the National Mortgage Settlement, according to a progress report released recently by Joseph A. Smith, Jr., who monitors the settlement./content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-outnumber-reo-sales-in-third-quarter-7502More than 193,000 U.S. properties in some stage of foreclosure were sold during the third quarter of 2012, according to RealtyTrac’s Q3 2012 U.S. Foreclosure & Short Sales Report.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

More than 193,000 U.S. properties in some stage of foreclosure were sold during the third quarter of 2012, according to RealtyTrac’s Q3 2012 U.S. Foreclosure & Short Sales Report.

0Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTMore than 193,000 U.S. properties in some stage of foreclosure were sold during the third quarter of 2012, according to RealtyTrac’s Q3 2012 U.S. Foreclosure & Short Sales Report. Bucking past market trends, the scale tipped in favor of short sales completed for the first time, barely outnumbering bank-owned properties (REOs) sold during the quarter./content/news-and-opinion/the-coming-housing-fiscal-cliff-7501Most Americans have heard of the “fiscal cliff.” Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Most Americans have heard of the “fiscal cliff.”

0Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTMost Americans have heard of the “fiscal cliff.” The term — first used last year by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke — refers to the economic disaster that awaits Americans if tax increases, spending cuts and budget deficit rules go into effect starting January 2013 if the Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill can’t come to an agreement in three weeks. /content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-the-search-begins-in-earnest-7500Armed with the knowledge of how much home we can afford without becoming house poor, and a pre-qualification letter in hand, I gave our Realtor the parameters of what type of home we were looking for. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Armed with the knowledge of how much home we can afford without becoming house poor, and a pre-qualification letter in hand, I gave our Realtor the parameters of what type of home we were looking for.

0Wed, 05 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTArmed with the knowledge of how much home we can afford without becoming house poor, and a pre-qualification letter in hand, I gave our Realtor the parameters of what type of home we were looking for, the scope of the region in which we wanted to conduct our search, and the fact that we wanted to find a foreclosure bargain if possible. /content/news-and-opinion/frozen-chicago-foreclosure-activity-thawing-7498After a long winter frozen foreclosure activity in Chicago is finally beginning to thaw. And that’s good news because the market is hungry for more inventory, according to area real estate experts.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

After a long winter frozen foreclosure activity in Chicago is finally beginning to thaw. And that’s good news because the market is hungry for more inventory, according to area real estate experts.

0Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:00:00 GMTAfter a long winter frozen foreclosure activity in Chicago is finally beginning to thaw. And that’s good news because the market is hungry for more inventory, according to real estate experts from across the metro area. Even in exurban McHenry County, one of the area’s hardest-hit housing markets, more foreclosure inventory is welcome, according to Tom Hall, broker-owner at Huntley Realty. The village of Huntley is located about 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. “We are seeing a good amount of homes that are in foreclosure that are being listed for sale,” he said, noting that there was a drop in available bank-owned inventory a few months ago. /content/news-and-opinion/win-the-foreclosure-bidding-wars-7497Buying foreclosures with retirement funds gives investors an edge over other buyers relying on traditional financing.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Buying foreclosures with retirement funds gives investors an edge over other buyers relying on traditional financing.

0Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTBuying foreclosures with retirement funds provides real estate investors with tax benefits and the ability to diversify their retirement investing — in any market. But in housing markets with a shortage of available inventory — as exists today in many parts of the country (see video below) — this strategy also gives investors an edge over other buyers relying on traditional financing./content/news-and-opinion/buying-foreclosures-with-retirement-funds-3-strategies-7496With hard-to-get financing one of the biggest hurdles involved in a foreclosure purchase, funding those purchases with a retirement account could be an attractive option for many.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

With hard-to-get financing one of the biggest hurdles involved in a foreclosure purchase, funding those purchases with a retirement account could be an attractive option for many.

0Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith hard-to-get financing one of the biggest hurdles involved in a foreclosure purchase, funding those purchases with a retirement account could be an attractive option that helps investors forgo the hassle of traditional financing and also moves their offers to the front of the line. A self-directed IRA allows investors to buy a property outright or at least provide a sizable down payment using money from their retirement account. These self-directed IRAs can be used to purchase properties in any stage of foreclosure — default, auction or bank-owned — according to experts we interviewed for the October issue of RealtyTrac’s award-winning Foreclosure News Report./content/news-and-opinion/new-home-sales-dipped-in-october-7495Sales of new single-family homes dipped slightly in October, falling 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 368,000 from a downwardly revised pace of 369,000 in September, according to the Commerce Department. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Sales of new single-family homes dipped slightly in October, falling 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 368,000 from a downwardly revised pace of 369,000 in September, according to the Commerce Department.

0Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTSales of new single-family homes dipped slightly in October, falling 0.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 368,000 from a downwardly revised pace of 369,000 in September, according to the Commerce Department. /content/news-and-opinion/the-law-of-unintended-consequences--dj-vu-all-over-again-7494California Assembly Bill 278 and Senate Bill 900 are leaving the state’s mortgage brokerage community with a sense of Déjà Vu. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

California Assembly Bill 278 and Senate Bill 900 are leaving the state’s mortgage brokerage community with a sense of Déjà Vu.

0Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTCalifornia Assembly Bill 278 and Senate Bill 900 are leaving the state’s mortgage brokerage community with a sense of Déjà Vu. Both were part of the multi-bill package better known as the California Homeowner Bill of Rights introduced and promoted by state Attorney General Kamala Harris. /content/news-and-opinion/tax-liens-certificates-the-holy-grail-of-real-estate-investing-7488It’s probably the best real estate investment that nobody knows about.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

It’s probably the best real estate investment that nobody knows about.

0Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt’s probably the best real estate investment that nobody knows about./content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-dealing-with-a-shortage-of-supply-7486All the signs are there that say to us “Buy Now!” Historically low interest rates hovering in the mid-3’s for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and the high-2’s for a 15-year fixed.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

All the signs are there that say to us “Buy Now!” Historically low interest rates hovering in the mid-3’s for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and the high-2’s for a 15-year fixed.

0Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTAll the signs are there that say to us “Buy Now!” Historically low interest rates hovering in the mid-3’s for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and the high-2’s for a 15-year fixed. We have the funds available for a healthy 20 percent down payment and we have been pre-approved by our lender to qualify for a decently priced house. /content/news-and-opinion/home-prices-continue-to-rise-in-september--7485Home prices rose in September from a month earlier, fueling growing signs that the U.S. housing market is rebounding, according to Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home-price indexes.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Home prices rose in September from a month earlier, fueling growing signs that the U.S. housing market is rebounding, according to Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home-price indexes.

0Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTHome prices rose in September from a month earlier, fueling growing signs that the U.S. housing market is rebounding, according to Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home-price indexes./content/news-and-opinion/will-there-be-an-fha-bailout-7484Those who dislike the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are no doubt elated by news that the federal loan insurance program may need to borrow from the Treasury Department to bulk up disappearing reserves.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Those who dislike the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are no doubt elated by news that the federal loan insurance program may need to borrow from the Treasury Department to bulk up disappearing reserves.

0Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTThose who dislike the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are no doubt elated by news that the federal loan insurance program may need to borrow from the Treasury Department to bulk up disappearing reserves./content/news-and-opinion/slow-steady-recovery-best-for-housing-7483The housing market is improving slowly but surely, but both external forces and internal paradigm shifts are keeping a lid on a more robust recovery.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The housing market is improving slowly but surely, but both external forces and internal paradigm shifts are keeping a lid on a more robust recovery.

0Mon, 26 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe housing market is improving slowly but surely, but both external forces and internal paradigm shifts are keeping a lid on a more robust recovery. And that’s probably a good thing, preventing the market from bubbling over again, despite protests from real estate agents and other — including Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke — that “overly tight lending standards may now be preventing creditworthy borrowers from buying homes, thereby slowing the revival in housing and impeding the economic recovery.” But having the pendulum swung too far in the direction of tight lending standards is a much better problem than the alternative./content/news-and-opinion/lenders-with-most-to-lose-from-super-storm-sandy-7481When super storm Sandy rocked the northeast in late October it left many homeowners with destroyed or damaged homes. Some of those owners were banks who owned foreclosed homes, also known as REO.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

When super storm Sandy rocked the northeast in late October it left many homeowners with destroyed or damaged homes. Some of those owners were banks who owned foreclosed homes, also known as REO.

0Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhen super storm Sandy rocked the northeast in late October it left many homeowners with destroyed or damaged homes. Some of those owners were banks who owned foreclosed homes, also known as REO. These banks likely will not engender the same type of sympathy as homeowners like Lou Forst, a RealtyTrac customer who last year purchased his dream vacation home on the coast of New Jersey as a short sale only to see that home sustain tens of thousands in damage from Sandy. Still, the financial health of those banks could be threatened by the additional costs they will incur as a result of damage to their REO properties./content/news-and-opinion/how-real-is-the-mortgage-buyback-threat-to-wall-street-7480Despite recent good news from the financial sector the fact remains that concerns we reported five years ago regarding mortgage buybacks have never gone away.Peter G. Miller

Despite recent good news from the financial sector the fact remains that concerns we reported five years ago regarding mortgage buybacks have never gone away.

0Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere's little doubt that the economy has been in a recovery mode for the past year and perhaps longer. One good way to show that things are on the mend is to look at housing prices: September values nationwide were up 11.3 percent when compared with 2011 according to the National Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, the banking sector appears to be doing really well. Second-quarter profits reached $34.5 billion and loan balances increased by $102 billion. All of this sounds pretty good but there's a huge kink in the system: vast foreclosure-related claims against major banks and brokerages remain outstanding. /content/news-and-opinion/recyled-reo-provides-inventory-boost-in-chicago-7479I encountered what I'm dubbing the Recycled REO phenomenon when interviewing a real estate agent in the Chicago area for an article I was writing for the Foreclosure News Report.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I encountered what I'm dubbing the Recycled REO phenomenon when interviewing a real estate agent in the Chicago area for an article I was writing for the Foreclosure News Report.

0Mon, 19 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTI ran across an interesting phenomenon recently that I’m dubbing Recycled REO. I encountered this when interviewing a real estate agent in the Chicago area for an article I was writing for the Foreclosure News Report, RealtyTrac’s award-winning monthly newsletter. The agent, Dave Goddard of Garry Real Estate in the Du Page County suburb of Bartlett, wrote the following quote in an email responding to some of my questions about the state of housing in his local market./content/news-and-opinion/on-the-road-to-homeownership-another-chance-7475It’s been quite a while since my wife and I have owned a home. For any of you who followed my real estate investor series earlier this year, you know that we own real estate.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s been quite a while since my wife and I have owned a home. For any of you who followed my real estate investor series earlier this year, you know that we own real estate.

0Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt’s been quite a while since my wife and I have owned a home. For any of you who followed my real estate investor series earlier this year, you know that we own real estate — my family home of 48 years in Los Angeles, and a condo in San Diego where our son currently lives with a roommate while both of them are working on their post-graduate degrees./content/news-and-opinion/video-webinar-how-the-election-will-impact-reos-and-short-sales-7473Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a video webinar panel discussion on how the outcome of the presidential election will impact bank-owned home (REO) sales and other distressed sales.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a video webinar panel discussion on how the outcome of the presidential election will impact bank-owned home (REO) sales and other distressed sales.

0Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTLast week I had the opportunity to participate in a video webinar panel discussion on how the outcome of the presidential election will impact bank-owned home (REO) sales and other distressed property sales, particularly from the perspective of real estate agents who work the REO and distressed property market. Also on the webinar were distinguished panelists from PMH Financial, CoreLogic and REOSuccess TV. We recorded the webinar on Wednesday morning, the day after the election, so I wasn’t even sure that we’d know the outcome by that point. But as RealtyTrac boldly predicted the week before the election, President Barack Obama was able to pull out the victory./content/news-and-opinion/buying-foreclosure-bargains-7472Looking to buy a foreclosure bargain?Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Looking to buy a foreclosure bargain?

0Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTLooking to buy a foreclosure bargain? With the collapse of the U.S. real estate “bubble” in 2006, property prices have been on an uninterrupted decline for four years, pushing some 1.5 million borrowers to the brink of foreclosure. That has elicited interest from hundreds of thousands of foreclosure buyers and investors who are trying their hands at investing in distressed properties./content/news-and-opinion/activity-on-the-upswing-on-an-annual-basis-in-pa-7466Holding 20 electoral votes in its grasp — tied for fifth highest in the country with Illinois — Pennsylvania was a major player in the outcome yesterday’s presidential election between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Holding 20 electoral votes in its grasp — tied for fifth highest in the country with Illinois — Pennsylvania was a major player in the outcome yesterday’s presidential election between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney.

0Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTHolding 20 electoral votes in its grasp — tied for fifth highest in the country with Illinois — Pennsylvania was a major player in the outcome yesterday’s presidential election between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. /content/news-and-opinion/is-it-time-to-end-foreclosures-7464With the presidential election now over political posturing can be put aside and we can get back to a central reality: Foreclosures don’t work.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

With the presidential election now over political posturing can be put aside and we can get back to a central reality: Foreclosures don’t work.

0Tue, 06 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith the presidential election now over political posturing can be put aside and we can get back to a central reality: Foreclosures don’t work./content/news-and-opinion/three-foreclosed-homes-on-one-street-no-match-for-these-self-directed-ira-investors-7465After a thoroughly researched conversion three years ago Lorraine Walls has quickly become an enthusiastic evangelist for self-directed IRA real estate investing.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

After a thoroughly researched conversion three years ago Lorraine Walls has quickly become an enthusiastic evangelist for self-directed IRA real estate investing.

0Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTAfter a thoroughly researched conversion three years ago Lorraine Walls has quickly become an enthusiastic evangelist for self-directed IRA real estate investing. “We only started three years ago because five, six years ago everyone was losing their shirts in savings and retirement funds,” said Walls, named 2011 Self-Directed Investor of the Year by Equity Trust, a company specializing in allowing clients to invest their retirement accounts in alternative investments such as real estate. Walls said her husband, Richard, researched the topic for almost a year before pulling the trigger “because it seemed too good to be true.” /content/news-and-opinion/expert-tips-for-profitable-foreclosure-flips-7463Flipping is big business. Nationally, investors flipped nearly 100,000 homes in the first six months of 2012, up 25 percent from the 80,000 flipped properties during the same time period in 2011, according to RealtyTrac. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Flipping is big business. Nationally, investors flipped nearly 100,000 homes in the first six months of 2012, up 25 percent from the 80,000 flipped properties during the same time period in 2011, according to RealtyTrac.

0Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:00:00 GMTFlipping is big business. Nationally, investors flipped nearly 100,000 homes in the first six months of 2012, up 25 percent from the 80,000 flipped properties during the same time period in 2011, according to RealtyTrac. Home flipping is rampant in foreclosure-riddled markets like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta, but is also increasing dramatically in less hard-hit markets such as Baton Rouge, La., Madison, Wis., Asheville, N.C., and Pittsburgh, Penn./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-who-wins-the-presidential-election-with-real-estate-voters-7462We wanted to know which way voters in the swing states would vote based solely on the state of the housing market — and ultimately which candidate would ultimately win the election.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

We wanted to know which way voters in the swing states would vote based solely on the state of the housing market — and ultimately which candidate would ultimately win the election.

0Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTMuch like any presidential election in recent memory, the 2012 contest boils down to a select group of swings states that could go either way based on myriad factors impacting the voters in those states. One of those factors is the housing market, which although a taboo subject for the candidates in all three debates, nevertheless should be a key consideration for many voters, whether homeowners or not. We wanted to know which way voters in the swing states would vote based solely on the state of the housing market — and ultimately which candidate would ultimately win the election under that real estate-centric scenario./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-new-hampshire-rockin-with-romney-7461New Hampshire’s libertarian leanings swung the Granite State into Obama’s arms in 2008, but the a worsening housing market over the last four years could move the state’s long tradition of thrift and independence into the Romney camp.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

New Hampshire’s libertarian leanings swung the Granite State into Obama’s arms in 2008, but the a worsening housing market over the last four years could move the state’s long tradition of thrift and independence into the Romney camp.

0Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTNew Hampshire’s libertarian leanings swung the Granite State into Obama’s arms in 2008, but the a worsening housing market over the last four years could move the state’s long tradition of thrift and independence into the Romney camp./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-wisconsins-in-play-for-romney-7460Wooing Wisconsin voters continues to be a top priority for both presidential campaigns as the race remains very tight for the Badger State’s prized 10 electoral votes.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Wooing Wisconsin voters continues to be a top priority for both presidential campaigns as the race remains very tight for the Badger State’s prized 10 electoral votes.

0Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTWooing Wisconsin voters continues to be a top priority for both presidential campaigns as the race remains very tight for the Badger State’s prized 10 electoral votes./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-iowa-a-ripe-harvest-for-romney-7459Romney could pick up Iowa’s six electoral votes in next week’s election thanks to voters who cast their ballots based on the condition of the housing market.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Romney could pick up Iowa’s six electoral votes in next week’s election thanks to voters who cast their ballots based on the condition of the housing market.

0Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTAlthough President Barack Obama continues to maintain a slight lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Iowa polls, Romney recently picked up the endorsement of four major newspapers in the state. That could give Romney some momentum if voters are convinced by these media endorsements. More likely, Romney will pick up Iowa’s six electoral votes in next week’s election thanks to voters who cast their ballots based on the condition of the housing market — which RealtyTrac data shows is worse off now than it was four years ago./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-narrow-obama-victory-in-virginia-7458Barack Obama broke the mold back in 2008, becoming the first Democrat in the past 10 presidential elections to count Virginia in the win column, reportedly thanks to changing demographics in the region.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Barack Obama broke the mold back in 2008, becoming the first Democrat in the past 10 presidential elections to count Virginia in the win column, reportedly thanks to changing demographics in the region.

0Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTBarack Obama broke the mold back in 2008, becoming the first Democrat in the past 10 presidential elections to count Virginia in the win column, reportedly thanks to changing demographics in the region. Whether he can muster a repeat performance this time around depends on a number of factors, including the condition of the state’s housing market./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-florida-taps-romney-7457On the eve of the presidential election four years ago, Florida homeowners understood that the Sunshine State’s housing markets were in shambles, and a new direction was required, and Senator Barack Obama was a man of destiny.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

On the eve of the presidential election four years ago, Florida homeowners understood that the Sunshine State’s housing markets were in shambles, and a new direction was required, and Senator Barack Obama was a man of destiny.

0Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTOn the eve of the presidential election four years ago, Florida homeowners understood that the Sunshine State’s housing markets were in shambles, and a new direction was required, and Senator Barack Obama was a man of destiny./content/news-and-opinion/a-snapshot-of-the-las-vegas-housing-market-since-2010-7456The Las Vegas housing market is better off today than it was four years ago — how could it not be? We can identify where we have been; we know how we got here; and we possess some vision, although with caution, of our future. Ruth and John Ahlbrand, Contributing Writers

The Las Vegas housing market is better off today than it was four years ago — how could it not be? We can identify where we have been; we know how we got here; and we possess some vision, although with caution, of our future.

0Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Las Vegas housing market is better off today than it was four years ago — how could it not be? We can identify where we have been; we know how we got here; and we possess some vision, although with caution, of our future. Las Vegas had to go through what it went through given the frenzy of over-buying. /content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-ohio-may-opt-for-obama-7455In six out of the last 10 presidential elections Ohio went to the Republican candidate, while the other four went Democratic — most recently, the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

In six out of the last 10 presidential elections Ohio went to the Republican candidate, while the other four went Democratic — most recently, the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

0Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn six out of the last 10 presidential elections Ohio went to the Republican candidate, while the other four went Democratic — most recently, the 2008 election of President Barack Obama. But with the race a virtual dead heat this time around according to the latest polls and the national media, the Buckeye State and its 18 electoral votes may decide who gets the keys to the White House for the next four years./content/news-and-opinion/how-foreclosure-survivors-could-change-the-presidential-election-7454Nearly 2.5 million properties have been helped by federal efforts in the past few years to stop foreclosures and refinance underwater homes, a number big enough to ask how it will impact the election.Peter G. Miller

Nearly 2.5 million properties have been helped by federal efforts in the past few years to stop foreclosures and refinance underwater homes, a number big enough to ask how it will impact the election.

0Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTNearly 2.5 million properties have been helped by federal efforts in the past few years to stop foreclosures and refinance underwater homes, a number big enough to ask: Will those who have been helped turn out for President Obama or Gov. Romney? As we wind down to Election Day every sector, slice and segment of the population has been analyzed to determine how it will vote in the presidential contest. If you want to know about the electoral preferences of left-handed fly-fishermen who live east of the Mississippi there's probably a consultant somewhere with such data./content/news-and-opinion/realtytrac-on-the-willis-report-why-most-housing-markets-worse-off-than-2008-7453Gerri Willis of the Fox Business Network interviewed RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist about the findings in a report that found 65 percent of county housing markets are worse off than in 2008.RealtyTrac Staff

Gerri Willis of the Fox Business Network interviewed RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist about the findings in a report that found 65 percent of county housing markets are worse off than in 2008.

0Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTA housing report issued last week by RealtyTrac found that housing markets in 65 percent of U.S. counties are worse off than it was four years ago. That caught the attention of several in the media, including Gerri Willis of the Fox Business Network. Willis interviewed RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist about the findings in the report for a segment of The Willis Report on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Willis was surprised at the finding in the report, given all the recent good news in the housing market, but Blomquist explained that the RealtyTrac analysis looked at the net improvement or decline over the past four years in each of the 919 county housing markets./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-nevada-may-double-down-on-obama-7452Still reeling from the nation’s highest unemployment rate and one of its highest home foreclosure rates, Nevada has emerged as one of the most highly contested battleground states.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Still reeling from the nation’s highest unemployment rate and one of its highest home foreclosure rates, Nevada has emerged as one of the most highly contested battleground states.

0Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTStill reeling from the nation’s highest unemployment rate and one of its highest home foreclosure rates, Nevada has emerged as one of the most highly contested battleground states./content/news-and-opinion/swing-state-housing-scorecard-colorado-favors-romney-7451Since 1972 Colorado has only voted for the Democratic presidential candidate twice — first in 1992 with President Bill Clinton, and again in 2008 with President Barack Obama. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Since 1972 Colorado has only voted for the Democratic presidential candidate twice — first in 1992 with President Bill Clinton, and again in 2008 with President Barack Obama.

0Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTSince 1972 Colorado has only voted for the Democratic presidential candidate twice — first in 1992 with President Bill Clinton, and again in 2008 with President Barack Obama. Whether Obama can count on voters in The Centennial State to be loyal to him this time around depends on many factors./content/news-and-opinion/leno-gives-obama-platform-to-discuss-housing-7450Leave it to Jay Leno to do what the national media couldn’t. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Leave it to Jay Leno to do what the national media couldn’t.

0Fri, 26 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTLeave it to Jay Leno to do what the national media couldn’t. /content/news-and-opinion/is-real-estate-tipping-the-election-scale-for-obama-7449After five years of financial misery President Obama is getting a real estate bounce that could solidify his chances for re-election. Peter G. Miller

After five years of financial misery President Obama is getting a real estate bounce that could solidify his chances for re-election.

0Wed, 24 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTAfter five years of financial misery President Obama is getting a real estate bounce that could solidify his chances for re-election. Recent home values are up when compared with the worst days of the real estate meltdown and foreclosure activity is down. We're not out of the financial woods yet but there has been progress — and just in time for the presidential election. Don't believe it? Just ask three questions./content/news-and-opinion/election-2012-housing-heat-maps-is-your-countys-housing-market-better-off-than-four-years-ago-7446These heat maps are part of RealtyTrac's Exclusive Election 2012 Local Housing Market Health Check and cover home prices, unemployment, foreclosure inventory, foreclosure starts and distressed sales share.RealtyTrac Staff

These heat maps are part of RealtyTrac's Exclusive Election 2012 Local Housing Market Health Check and cover home prices, unemployment, foreclosure inventory, foreclosure starts and distressed sales share.

0Mon, 22 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThese heat maps are part of RealtyTrac's Exclusive Election 2012 Local Housing Market Health Check and cover home prices, unemployment, foreclosure inventory, foreclosure starts and distressed sales share./content/news-and-opinion/distressed-sales-share-heat-map-for-election-2012-report-7443Heat map showing change in share of distressed sales from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

Heat map showing change in share of distressed sales from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.

0Sun, 21 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTHeat map showing change in share of distressed sales from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-starts-heat-map-for-election-2012-report-7442Heat map showing change in foreclosure starts from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

Heat map showing change in foreclosure starts from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.

0Sun, 21 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTHeat map showing change in foreclosure starts from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-inventory-heat-map-for-election-2012-report-7441Heat map showing change in foreclosure inventory from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

Heat map showing change in foreclosure inventory from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.

0Sun, 21 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTHeat map showing change in foreclosure inventory from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/unemployment-rate-heat-map-for-election-2012-report-7440Heat map showing change in unemployment rates from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

Heat map showing change in unemployment rates from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide.

0Sun, 21 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTHeat map showing change in unemployment rates from 2008 to 2012 by county nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/home-sales-price-heat-map-for-election-2012-report-7439Heat map showing change in average home prices from July 2008 to July 2012 by county nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

Heat map showing change in average home prices from July 2008 to July 2012 by county nationwide.

0Sun, 21 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTHeat map showing change in average home prices from July 2008 to July 2012 by county nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/boomerang-buyers-boost-home-building-short-sales-7437A month before The Wall Street Journal coined the term “boomerang” buyers, agent David Colbeth of Seattle identified this burgeoning trend in the September issue of RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

A month before The Wall Street Journal coined the term “boomerang” buyers, agent David Colbeth of Seattle identified this burgeoning trend in the September issue of RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report.

0Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTA month before The Wall Street Journal coined the term “boomerang” buyers in an article earlier this week, agent David Colbeth of Seattle identified this burgeoning trend in the September issue of RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report newsletter. Colbeth, broker/owner with the Life Point Real Estate Team in Pierce County, said he’s now working with buyers who sold their homes via short sale two to three years ago or were foreclosed on in the last few years. “They already know the value of homeownership. They just made this big mistake at the top of the market,” he said./content/news-and-opinion/second-presidential-debate-sets-up-thrilla-in-boca-7436Like the “Thriller in Manila” — the epic world heavyweight boxing championship between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier — the second presidential election between Republican challenger Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent Barack Obama was a bruising battOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Like the “Thriller in Manila” — the epic world heavyweight boxing championship between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier — the second presidential election between Republican challenger Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent Barack Obama was a bruising batt

0Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTLike the “Thriller in Manila” — the epic world heavyweight boxing championship between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier — the second presidential election between Republican challenger Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent Barack Obama was a bruising battle between two political heavyweight./content/news-and-opinion/north-carolina-new-south-red-state-7435Barack Obama narrowly won North Carolina in 2008. To do so again in 2012 will be a tall order.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Barack Obama narrowly won North Carolina in 2008. To do so again in 2012 will be a tall order.

0Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTBarack Obama narrowly won North Carolina in 2008. To do so again in 2012 will be a tall order./content/news-and-opinion/ohio-foreclosure-stalwart-a-key-to-election-victory-7434Politically speaking, holding the seventh highest number of electoral votes in the country (18) makes Ohio a key state for both the Obama and Romney campaigns. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Politically speaking, holding the seventh highest number of electoral votes in the country (18) makes Ohio a key state for both the Obama and Romney campaigns.

0Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTPolitically speaking, holding the seventh highest number of electoral votes in the country (18) makes Ohio a key state for both the Obama and Romney campaigns — especially given that most experts believe the state could swing either way in the upcoming election. /content/news-and-opinion/why-isnt-foreclosure-a-major-presidential-issue-7433A complete and clear discussion of foreclosures is totally missing from the presidential election campaign but that’s not the case in Connecticut’s Senate race, a contest where both candidates have been foreclosed.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

A complete and clear discussion of foreclosures is totally missing from the presidential election campaign but that’s not the case in Connecticut’s Senate race, a contest where both candidates have been foreclosed.

0Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTA complete and clear discussion of foreclosures is totally missing from the presidential election campaign but that’s not the case in Connecticut’s Senate race, a contest where both candidates have been foreclosed./content/news-and-opinion/2012-presidential-election-a-look-at-florida--7432The presidential election has grown closer since Mitt Romney and Barack Obama debated, with the Republican challenger inching ahead in several key swing states.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The presidential election has grown closer since Mitt Romney and Barack Obama debated, with the Republican challenger inching ahead in several key swing states.

0Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe presidential election has grown closer since Mitt Romney and Barack Obama debated, with the Republican challenger inching ahead in several key swing states. Regardless of how the next three debates turn out, the incumbents’ biggest problem is that the national temperament leans Republican as evidenced in the 2010 midterm elections, where Republican victories were both widespread and deep. The GOP not only captured the U.S. House of Representatives, it also scored big victories at the state level, wining 21 governorships and 13 statehouses. /content/news-and-opinion/dark-clouds-lurking-behind-silver-linings-in-california-7429I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion focusing on the state of the California housing market a few weeks ago in Sacramento.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion focusing on the state of the California housing market a few weeks ago in Sacramento.

0Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTI had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion focusing on the state of the California housing market a few weeks ago in Sacramento. My thesis was basically this: there are certainly silver linings showing up in the California housing market, but dark clouds continue to lurk behind those silver linings, making this nascent recovery extremely fragile./content/news-and-opinion/ryan-doesnt-take-bidens-bait-on-housing-7428The media has more than hinted for the past few months that the American public is clamoring for a lively discussion focused on the housing crisis. The presidential candidates barely even mentioned the word “housing” in their debate on domestic policJoel Cone, Staff Writer

The media has more than hinted for the past few months that the American public is clamoring for a lively discussion focused on the housing crisis. The presidential candidates barely even mentioned the word “housing” in their debate on domestic polic

0Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe media has more than hinted for the past few months that the American public is clamoring for a lively discussion focused on the housing crisis. The presidential candidates barely even mentioned the word “housing” in their debate on domestic policy last week. /content/news-and-opinion/is-more-mortgage-regulation-really-bad-for-lending-7423Claim of “too much regulation” have emerged as a major election issue with leading candidates telling us we must have fewer government rules. It's a great argument but what do the facts say?Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

Claim of “too much regulation” have emerged as a major election issue with leading candidates telling us we must have fewer government rules. It's a great argument but what do the facts say?

0Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTClaim of “too much regulation” have emerged as a major election issue with leading candidates telling us we must have fewer government rules. It's a great argument but what do the facts say? A major point of contention is Dodd Frank, the 2010 Wall Street reform legislation which is publicly detested in the lending community. In reality, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has been a boon to lenders./content/news-and-opinion/fannies-mighty-fall-from-grace-7422In 1938, during the waning years of the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created a small, obscure federal agency called Fannie Mae designed to make home loans more accessible to America homebuyers. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

In 1938, during the waning years of the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created a small, obscure federal agency called Fannie Mae designed to make home loans more accessible to America homebuyers.

0Mon, 08 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn 1938, during the waning years of the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created a small, obscure federal agency called Fannie Mae designed to make home loans more accessible to America homebuyers. However, the democratic leader never imagined that someday it would become one of the world’s largest financial firms and eventually help trigger the Great Recession of 2008, costing American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars due to reckless government intervention in the housing market./content/news-and-opinion/why-the-silence-on-housing-7419Watching the presidential debate last night, I was struck by how both President Barak Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney avoided addressing one of the most pressing economic issues in America: housing policy and the foreclosure crisis.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Watching the presidential debate last night, I was struck by how both President Barak Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney avoided addressing one of the most pressing economic issues in America: housing policy and the foreclosure crisis.

0Thu, 04 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTWatching the presidential debate last night, I was struck by how both President Barak Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney avoided addressing one of the most pressing economic issues in America: housing policy and the foreclosure crisis./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-map-could-be-fodder-for-presidential-debate-7417With a focus on the U.S. economy, tonight’s first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney may prove to be the coming-out party the public has been waiting for.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

With a focus on the U.S. economy, tonight’s first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney may prove to be the coming-out party the public has been waiting for.

0Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith a focus on the U.S. economy, tonight’s first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney may prove to be the coming-out party the public has been waiting for on one of the most prevalent hot button issues that has been under-stressed by the candidates so far…foreclosures!/content/news-and-opinion/foreclosed-voters-could-swing-the-presidential-election-7411With more than 3.2 million homeowners displaced by foreclosures since January 2009, what are the political implications for the presidential election from this housing diaspora? Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

With more than 3.2 million homeowners displaced by foreclosures since January 2009, what are the political implications for the presidential election from this housing diaspora?

0Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith more than 3.2 million homeowners displaced by foreclosures since January 2009, what are the political implications for the presidential election from this housing diaspora? /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-impact-presidential-election-swing-states-7410The big debate in the 2012 presidential election concerns the question of who will win the swing states. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

The big debate in the 2012 presidential election concerns the question of who will win the swing states.

0Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe big debate in the 2012 presidential election concerns the question of who will win the swing states. The candidates are trying to attract support from every group and segment they can identify and yet there has been little political discussion of the housing crisis, foreclosures and home prices — events which impact millions of households./content/news-and-opinion/nevada-court-ruling-paves-the-way-for-mass-foreclosures-7409The Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) has won another round in court. This time it was the Supreme Court of Nevada that unanimously held in favor of MERS’ legal standing to foreclose.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) has won another round in court. This time it was the Supreme Court of Nevada that unanimously held in favor of MERS’ legal standing to foreclose.

0Tue, 02 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) has won another round in court. This time it was the Supreme Court of Nevada that unanimously held in favor of MERS’ legal standing to foreclose on behalf of its member banks. /content/news-and-opinion/face-to-face-with-the-foreclosure-crisis-7408I came face to face with the foreclosure crisis in the flesh on a Super Shuttle ride to the Sacramento airport.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I came face to face with the foreclosure crisis in the flesh on a Super Shuttle ride to the Sacramento airport.

0Mon, 01 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTI came face to face with the foreclosure crisis in the flesh on a Super Shuttle ride to the Sacramento airport. His name was Anthony, and he wore a knee brace to help with a lingering limp from an injury that caused him to lose his previous job and eventually his house. Before I found out about that, though, I was chatting loudly —and somewhat callously in retrospect — on the phone to a reporter about why neither presidential candidate is talking much about housing or the persistent foreclosure problem. /content/news-and-opinion/gop-slams-obama-on-foreclosure-crisis-7407With the presidential election less than six weeks away, President Barack Obama’s re-election hopes are haunted by the foreclosure crisis. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

With the presidential election less than six weeks away, President Barack Obama’s re-election hopes are haunted by the foreclosure crisis.

0Mon, 01 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith the presidential election less than six weeks away, President Barack Obama’s re-election hopes are haunted by the foreclosure crisis. His finessed recovery plan to clean up housing hinged on changing bankruptcy laws, cracking down on predatory and fraudulent lenders and a $10 billion fund to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. /content/news-and-opinion/the-2012-election-will-come-down-to-who-wins-the-magnificent-7-7406Will the President’s campaign trajectory resemble Jimmy Carter’s failed 1980 re-election bid, when a democratic incumbent was crushed by Republican California governor Ronald Reagan? Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Will the President’s campaign trajectory resemble Jimmy Carter’s failed 1980 re-election bid, when a democratic incumbent was crushed by Republican California governor Ronald Reagan?

0Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTWill the President’s campaign trajectory resemble Jimmy Carter’s failed 1980 re-election bid, when a democratic incumbent was crushed by Republican California governor Ronald Reagan? Or will the president moon-walk his way into the White House like New York governor Franklin D. Roosevelt did in 1932, when a democratic challenger defeated Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover during the Great Depression? /content/news-and-opinion/mansions-andamp-foreclosures-mix-in-wealthy-zip-codes-7405Home prices across the U.S. are rising in most areas and after six years of actual doom and real gloom it's possible to suggest that the housing market has begun to look up.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Home prices across the U.S. are rising in most areas and after six years of actual doom and real gloom it's possible to suggest that the housing market has begun to look up.

0Thu, 27 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTHome prices across the U.S. are rising in most areas and after six years of actual doom and real gloom it's possible to suggest that the housing market has begun to look up./content/news-and-opinion/7-expert-tips-for-buying-foreclosure-rentals--7404Here are some tips from the experts we spoke with to help reduce the trial and error and get your fishing skills for foreclosure rental properties up to speed as quickly as possible.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Here are some tips from the experts we spoke with to help reduce the trial and error and get your fishing skills for foreclosure rental properties up to speed as quickly as possible.

0Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTKnowing which potential foreclosure rental properties to reel in and which ones to unhook and throw back in the water takes time, experience and a keen knowledge of the market where you are going to fish. Here are some tips from the experts we spoke with to help reduce the trial and error and get your fishing skills for rental properties up to speed as quickly as possible./content/news-and-opinion/new-home-sales-fall-in-august-but-prices-jump-7403Sales of new home in the United States dipped 0.3 percent in August from July, but the median price of homes sold last month rose by a record amount, according to the Commerce Department.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Sales of new home in the United States dipped 0.3 percent in August from July, but the median price of homes sold last month rose by a record amount, according to the Commerce Department.

0Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTSales of new home in the United States dipped 0.3 percent in August from July, but the median price of homes sold last month rose by a record amount, according to the Commerce Department./content/news-and-opinion/home-prices-rose-in-july-7402Home prices rose in July across the United States, helped by shrinking inventories and historically low interest rates, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Home prices rose in July across the United States, helped by shrinking inventories and historically low interest rates, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index.

0Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTHome prices rose in July across the United States, helped by shrinking inventories and historically low interest rates, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller index./content/news-and-opinion/why-property-flipping-is-flying-high-in-2012-7401Doug Clark and Mike Baird of Spike TV’s Flip Men provided a glimpse into the adventurous, risky and rewarding world of property flipping on recent RealtyTrac webinar. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Doug Clark and Mike Baird of Spike TV’s Flip Men provided a glimpse into the adventurous, risky and rewarding world of property flipping on recent RealtyTrac webinar.

0Sun, 23 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTDoug Clark and Mike Baird of Spike TV’s Flip Men provided a glimpse into the adventurous, risky and rewarding world of property flipping on recent RealtyTrac webinar. Although flipping foreclosures as an investment strategy has taken a backseat to buying rental property, more than 1,300 folks registered for the webinar, with 47 percent of them classifying themselves as new investors and an additional 13 percent claiming to be experienced investors. And Doug and Mike did not disappoint, providing attendees with engaging but still practical instruction on how to go about leaping into the flipping business./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-flipping-is-back-7400The September 2010 issue of the Foreclosure News Report shines a bright light on the investment strategy of flipping, which is up 25 percent from last year. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The September 2010 issue of the Foreclosure News Report shines a bright light on the investment strategy of flipping, which is up 25 percent from last year.

0Fri, 21 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe September 2010 issue of the Foreclosure News Report shines a bright light on the investment strategy of flipping, which is up 25 percent from last year. We take readers to Tampa, Fla., where Realtor Lee Kearney is the king of flippers and to Highland Park, Calif., where “hipster flips” are the latest craze. We also invited Utah-based quick-flip duo, Doug Clark and Mike Baird, stars of “Flip Men” on Spike Television, to pen a guest column on fast-growing flipping trend./content/news-and-opinion/mortgage-cops-are-coming-for-strategic-defaulters-7399The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is a new federal law enforcement agency that is trying to find strategic defaulters and collect on what they still owe. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is a new federal law enforcement agency that is trying to find strategic defaulters and collect on what they still owe.

0Thu, 20 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is a new federal law enforcement agency that is trying to find strategic defaulters and collect on what they still owe. Special OIG agents have the powers to search, seize and arrest — and they are even authorized to carry firearms. The FHFA is the supervisory agency of the two government-owned enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Since 2008, Fannie and Freddie have been under federal conservatorship. The OIG is a separate agency within FHFA that answers to Congress. Its mission is to root out fraud, waste and abuse within FHFA. The agency has 130 investigators, auditors, at/content/news-and-opinion/anatomy-of-a-foreclosure-start-in-3-states-7390A recent uptick in foreclosure starts involves mostly homeowners far behind on their mortgage payments and deeply underwater on their mortgages.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

A recent uptick in foreclosure starts involves mostly homeowners far behind on their mortgage payments and deeply underwater on their mortgages.

0Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTA recent uptick in foreclosure starts involves mostly homeowners far behind on their mortgage payments and deeply underwater on their mortgages. That conclusion comes from an analysis of properties starting the foreclosure process in the second quarter of 2012 in three fairly disparate housing markets: Nevada, Illinois and Washington. I did this analysis for my quarterly “DataDecoded” column in the September issue of the Scotsman Guide magazine. Read the full column. What I found was that while the average age, size and market value of properties starting the foreclosure process varied substantially across these three states, there was one common thread: high L/content/news-and-opinion/mortgage-standards-to-relax-under-new-federal-plan-7389If you've tried to get a mortgage during the past few years you know the application process has become extremely difficult. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

If you've tried to get a mortgage during the past few years you know the application process has become extremely difficult.

0Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you've tried to get a mortgage during the past few years you know the application process has become extremely difficult. Even borrowers with 20 percent down and good credit are not getting loans according to no less a source than Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke./content/news-and-opinion/is-the-reo-boom-over-7388For five years, foreclosures and bank-owned REOs, have dominated the real estate landscape nationwide. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

For five years, foreclosures and bank-owned REOs, have dominated the real estate landscape nationwide.

0Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor five years, foreclosures and bank-owned REOs, have dominated the real estate landscape nationwide. But as foreclosure activity slows, has the REO boom ended? /content/news-and-opinion/why-seattle-foreclosure-activity-surged-in-august-7387Seattle foreclosure activity surged 41 percent in August compared to a year ago after 13 months in hibernation.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Seattle foreclosure activity surged 41 percent in August compared to a year ago after 13 months in hibernation.

0Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTSeattle foreclosure activity surged 41 percent in August compared to a year ago after 13 months in hibernation. According to the RealtyTrac August foreclosure report, the Seattle surge was one of the few year-over-year increases in states utilizing the non-judicial foreclosure process. Most other metros in non-judicial foreclosure states continued their downward trend of the last two years or more. Further south along the west coast, Portland foreclosure activity dropped 36 percent from a year ago. Continuing down the coast, San Francisco foreclosure activity decreased 35 percent, and Los Angeles foreclosure activity was down 38 percent./content/news-and-opinion/is-qe3-good-for-the-housing-market-7386Yesterday, the Federal Open Markets Committee announced a new round of “quantitative easing,” or QE3.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Yesterday, the Federal Open Markets Committee announced a new round of “quantitative easing,” or QE3.

0Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTYesterday, the Federal Open Markets Committee announced a new round of “quantitative easing,” or QE3, meaning the Federal Reserve will fire up the federal printing presses to buy $40 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) every month on an open-ended basis in an effort to further drive down historically low interest rates./content/news-and-opinion/obamas-state-posts-top-rate-in-august-7385It may not be his birthplace, but President Obama cannot be happy that the state he represented in the U.S. Senate made it to the top of RealtyTrac’s foreclosure report in August. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It may not be his birthplace, but President Obama cannot be happy that the state he represented in the U.S. Senate made it to the top of RealtyTrac’s foreclosure report in August.

0Thu, 13 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt may not be his birthplace, but President Obama cannot be happy that the state he represented in the U.S. Senate made it to the top of RealtyTrac’s foreclosure report in August, particularly since his administration has placed such an emphasis on reducing foreclosures in the country during his time in office. /content/news-and-opinion/can-i-download-foreclosure-records-into-excel-7384In the latest Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar on Sept. 7 there were some very good questions from attendees that I think are important enough to cover here in a series of posts over the next few days.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In the latest Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar on Sept. 7 there were some very good questions from attendees that I think are important enough to cover here in a series of posts over the next few days.

0Thu, 13 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn the latest Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar on Sept. 7 there were some very good questions from attendees that I think are important enough to cover here in a series of posts over the next few days. I’m willing to bet this question was asked by a real estate investor because typically real estate investors are interested in downloading foreclosure properties en masse into spreadsheets so they can sort, filter and analyze them there. There are in fact two ways to download property records on RealtyTrac into Excel or other spreadsheet formats. /content/news-and-opinion/housing-crisis-over-claims-barrons--again-7383For the third time since 2008, Barron’s has proclaimed a “housing recovery,” signaling that the housing market has hit “bottom.” Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

For the third time since 2008, Barron’s has proclaimed a “housing recovery,” signaling that the housing market has hit “bottom.”

0Wed, 12 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor the third time since 2008, Barron’s has proclaimed a “housing recovery,” signaling that the housing market has hit “bottom.” Citing “unimpeachable signs,” writer Jonathan R. Laing predicted that the “rebound is for real” in a story titled “Happy at Last.”/content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-investors-hitting-real-estate-trifecta-7382If you’re going to be a foreclosure investor and own rental property then central to the value of your assets is tenant demand — the more prospective tenants the better. It now appears that the pool of potential tenants is getting bigger, in part becPeter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

If you’re going to be a foreclosure investor and own rental property then central to the value of your assets is tenant demand — the more prospective tenants the better. It now appears that the pool of potential tenants is getting bigger, in part bec

0Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you’re going to be a foreclosure investor and own rental property then central to the value of your assets is tenant demand — the more prospective tenants the better. It now appears that the pool of potential tenants is getting bigger, in part because a large number of people simply don’t want to own./content/news-and-opinion/coakley-lays-down-the-law-to-fhfa-director-7380Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is not taking any chances. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is not taking any chances.

0Mon, 10 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTMassachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is not taking any chances. Her office worked with state lawmakers to pass legislation that goes to the core of the foreclosure crisis, and Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill into law August 3, 2012. /content/news-and-opinion/new-short-sale-guidelines-will-help-underwater-borrowers-7379For the 12 million underwater borrowers facing financial distress and possibly foreclosure, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has released new guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are likely to stimulate more short sales.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

For the 12 million underwater borrowers facing financial distress and possibly foreclosure, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has released new guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are likely to stimulate more short sales.

0Mon, 10 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor the 12 million underwater borrowers facing financial distress and possibly foreclosure, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has released new guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are likely to stimulate more short sales./content/news-and-opinion/romney-releases-his-housing-agenda-7378The media has been asking for it for some time now, and the American public has been wondering if the candidates are listening. Well, Mitt Romney fired the first salvo in the discussion of how to deal with the national housing crisis.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The media has been asking for it for some time now, and the American public has been wondering if the candidates are listening. Well, Mitt Romney fired the first salvo in the discussion of how to deal with the national housing crisis.

0Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe media has been asking for it for some time now, and the American public has been wondering if the candidates are listening. Well, Mitt Romney fired the first salvo in the discussion of how to deal with the national housing crisis Tuesday while the Democrats were busy opening their national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina./content/news-and-opinion/heat-map-foreclosures-in-obamas-first-term-7377The map below shows the percentage of housing units in each state that have been lost to foreclosure since January 2009, when President Barak Obama took office.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The map below shows the percentage of housing units in each state that have been lost to foreclosure since January 2009, when President Barak Obama took office.

0Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe map below shows the percentage of housing units in each state that have been lost to foreclosure since January 2009, when President Barak Obama took office. Four of the top 10 states with the highest percentage of housing units foreclosed are considered swing states in the upcoming presidential election, according to Politico. Those states are Nevada, where 10.55 percent of housing units have been lost to foreclosure in the last three and a half years, Michigan (7.46 percent foreclosed), Florida (3.57 percent foreclosed) and Colorado (3.24 percent foreclosed)./content/news-and-opinion/hud-to-sell-17-billion-in-non-performing-loans-7376U.S. banks — especially smaller regional banks — have a lot of non-performing loans on their books. Loans are considered non-performing once 90+ days past due.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

U.S. banks — especially smaller regional banks — have a lot of non-performing loans on their books. Loans are considered non-performing once 90+ days past due.

0Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTU.S. banks — especially smaller regional banks — have a lot of non-performing loans on their books. Loans are considered non-performing once 90+ days past due. But the U.S. government — one of the biggest players in the residential real estate market — has a lot of non-performing loans too./content/news-and-opinion/5-foreclosure-swing-states-7372Most political pundits agree that the presidential race is tight, and the outcome could be decided in a few swing states where foreclosure activity is still high. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Most political pundits agree that the presidential race is tight, and the outcome could be decided in a few swing states where foreclosure activity is still high.

0Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTMost political pundits agree that the presidential race is tight, and the outcome could be decided in a few swing states where foreclosure activity is still high. Nationally, five states — Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Michigan, and to a lesser extent, Wisconsin — have borne the brunt of the housing market’s collapse. All of them are expected to be important battleground states in the presidential campaign. Here’s how they stack up./content/news-and-opinion/lose-your-home-lease-it-back-from-the-bank-7371Banks are getting more creative in their quest to avoid the f-word.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Banks are getting more creative in their quest to avoid the f-word.

0Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTBanks are getting more creative in their quest to avoid the f-word. First it was short sales as an alternative to foreclosure, with banks offering anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars to motivate some underwater homeowners to agree to a short sale — which allows the bank to wash their hands of the non-performing loan and not go through the increasingly long and costly foreclosure process. That short sale strategy seems to be working, at least to a certain extent. Pre-foreclosure sales — typically short sales — hit a three-year high in the first quarter of 2012, and continued at a relatively high level in the second quarter. /content/news-and-opinion/how-real-mortgage-fraud-causes-foreclosures-7370Mortgage fraud is on the rise and that’s a trend which should thrill no one.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Mortgage fraud is on the rise and that’s a trend which should thrill no one.

0Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMTMortgage fraud is on the rise and that’s a trend which should thrill no one. According to Experian, “a total of 39 in every 10,000 mortgage applications were identified as fraudulent between April and June 2012, up from 32 in during the same period in 2011.”/content/news-and-opinion/top-football-towns-for-foreclosure-deals-7369It’s September, and as Hank Williams Jr. used to ask on the intro to ABC’s Monday night broadcast, “Are you ready for some football?”Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s September, and as Hank Williams Jr. used to ask on the intro to ABC’s Monday night broadcast, “Are you ready for some football?”

0Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt’s September, and as Hank Williams Jr. used to ask on the intro to ABC’s Monday night broadcast, “Are you ready for some football?”/content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-sales-down-prices-up-in-second-quarter-7368The total number of homes in some stage of the foreclosure process (pre-foreclosure) and bank-owned homes (REOs) that sold during the second quarter of 2012 was down from the previous quarter.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The total number of homes in some stage of the foreclosure process (pre-foreclosure) and bank-owned homes (REOs) that sold during the second quarter of 2012 was down from the previous quarter.

0Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe total number of homes in some stage of the foreclosure process (pre-foreclosure) and bank-owned homes (REOs) that sold during the second quarter of 2012 was down from the previous quarter and from the same quarter a year ago. /content/news-and-opinion/oregon-appellate-court-rules-against-banks-mers-7367The Oregon Court of Appeals struck a blow to the mortgage industry, ruling that lenders using an electronic system to rapidly package and sell mortgages must go through the courts to begin foreclosure filings.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The Oregon Court of Appeals struck a blow to the mortgage industry, ruling that lenders using an electronic system to rapidly package and sell mortgages must go through the courts to begin foreclosure filings.

0Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Oregon Court of Appeals struck a blow to the mortgage industry, ruling that lenders using an electronic system to rapidly package and sell mortgages must go through the courts to begin foreclosure filings./content/news-and-opinion/sacramento-area-officials-look-at-eminent-domain-to-aid-homeowners-7366Government officials in Sacramento and Elk Grove are giving a good look at the possible use of eminent domain as a way of helping out struggling homeowners who are still making their mortgage payments despite being underwater on their loans.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Government officials in Sacramento and Elk Grove are giving a good look at the possible use of eminent domain as a way of helping out struggling homeowners who are still making their mortgage payments despite being underwater on their loans.

0Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTGovernment officials in Sacramento and Elk Grove are giving a good look at the possible use of eminent domain as a way of helping out struggling homeowners who are still making their mortgage payments despite being underwater on their loans./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-cease-fire-could-be-ending-in-maryland-7365Maryland foreclosure activity dropped off a cliff in the fourth quarter of 2010 but there are now signs of a coming surge in Maryland foreclosure activity before the end of the year.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Maryland foreclosure activity dropped off a cliff in the fourth quarter of 2010 but there are now signs of a coming surge in Maryland foreclosure activity before the end of the year.

0Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTMaryland foreclosure activity dropped off a cliff in the fourth quarter of 2010 for two reasons, neither having to do with a robustly improving real estate market, but there are signs of a coming surge in Maryland foreclosure activity before the end of the year. First, a new state law took effect in July 2010 that required lenders to give borrowers the opportunity to apply for a loan modification or other loan forebearance 45 days before filing the initial foreclosure notice. The law also allowed borrowers to request mediation with lenders to work out a foreclosure alternative./content/news-and-opinion/why-short-sales-are-likely-to-get-faster-7364If you think that short sales take a long time and seem to fall through with great regularity you're not daydreaming. The good news is that faster closings and more approvals seem likely.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

If you think that short sales take a long time and seem to fall through with great regularity you're not daydreaming. The good news is that faster closings and more approvals seem likely.

0Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you think that short sales take a long time and seem to fall through with great regularity you're not daydreaming. The good news is that faster closings and more approvals seem likely. But now we may see faster closing times and fewer fallouts as a result of new federal regulations that went into effect this summer. As of June lenders are required to respond in writing to short sale offers within 30 days of receipt. After 30 days lenders must provide a weekly update and after 60 days they must get back to buyers and sellers with a decision./content/news-and-opinion/fha-to-sell-troubled-loans-in-bulk-7362The Federal Housing Administration is expanding a program to sell the loans in bulk to investors.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The Federal Housing Administration is expanding a program to sell the loans in bulk to investors.

0Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Federal Housing Administration, struggling to manage a growing portfolio of delinquent home mortgages and foreclosed homes, is expanding a program to sell the loans in bulk to investors, a move that could at least forestall foreclosure for thousands of borrowers./content/news-and-opinion/bush-era-tax-cuts-set-to-end-in-2012-7361The so-called Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Unless Congress takes action and the president (whoever that is) goes along , rates will go up for every taxpayer. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The so-called Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Unless Congress takes action and the president (whoever that is) goes along , rates will go up for every taxpayer.

0Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe so-called Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire at the end of this year. Unless Congress takes action and the president (whoever that is) goes along , rates will go up for every taxpayer./content/news-and-opinion/buying-foreclosures-as-rentals-7360Like any veteran investor who has been in the business for the long run, Gene Richards knows the markets he invests in very well and the types of properties he can buy in those locations.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Like any veteran investor who has been in the business for the long run, Gene Richards knows the markets he invests in very well and the types of properties he can buy in those locations.

0Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTLike any veteran investor who has been in the business for the long run, Gene Richards knows the markets he invests in very well and the types of properties he can buy in those locations. In his hometown of Burlington, Vt., for example, he likes the section of town between the university and downtown. But there is no advantage to buying foreclosure property because there are too few of them in Vermont, and the ones that are available are too expensive, so he sticks with traditional sales and now owns 21 homes./content/news-and-opinion/banktown-foreclosures-where-misfortune-meets-opportunity-7359When the Democratic National Convention descends on Charlotte, N.C., in September, and the national spotlight shines bright on the Tar-Heel state, one word will be banned from the corridors of DNC political love fest: foreclosures. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

When the Democratic National Convention descends on Charlotte, N.C., in September, and the national spotlight shines bright on the Tar-Heel state, one word will be banned from the corridors of DNC political love fest: foreclosures.

0Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhen the Democratic National Convention descends on Charlotte, N.C., in September, and the national spotlight shines bright on the Tar-Heel state, one word will be banned from the corridors of DNC political love fest: foreclosures. /content/news-and-opinion/how-to-eliminate-taxes-from-all-of-your-real-estate-deals--7358After completing a successful real estate transaction, do you ever wish a chunk of the profits didn’t have to go back to the IRS for taxes? Westley Stump, Equity Trust Company

After completing a successful real estate transaction, do you ever wish a chunk of the profits didn’t have to go back to the IRS for taxes?

0Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTAfter completing a successful real estate transaction, do you ever wish a chunk of the profits didn’t have to go back to the IRS for taxes? Do you ever dream about how many more real estate deals you could do or how many more properties you could buy if profits weren’t split with the government because of taxes? Dream no more. Government sponsored retirement plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s allow you to invest in almost anything (including real estate), not just stocks, bonds and mutual funds. And all the benefits those plans provide — tax-deductions and tax-free profits — apply to whatever investment you choose, including real estate./content/news-and-opinion/existing-home-sales-and-prices-rise-in-july-7357Housing analysts are proclaiming a “recovery” in the U.S. housing market, pointing to recent reports of increased sales and a slowdown in foreclosure activity as “signs” of a rebound. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Housing analysts are proclaiming a “recovery” in the U.S. housing market, pointing to recent reports of increased sales and a slowdown in foreclosure activity as “signs” of a rebound.

0Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTHousing analysts are proclaiming a “recovery” in the U.S. housing market, pointing to recent reports of increased sales and a slowdown in foreclosure activity as “signs” of a rebound. But to America’s 11 million underwater borrowers — and the 14 million unemployed Americans — it feels like the new normal is anything but a recovery./content/news-and-opinion/womans-complaints-over-sick-reo-go-unanswered-7356A Los Angeles woman has been complaining for months about the algae-riddled pool in the backyard of a bank-owned home (REO) in her neighborhood.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

A Los Angeles woman has been complaining for months about the algae-riddled pool in the backyard of a bank-owned home (REO) in her neighborhood.

0Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTA Los Angeles woman has been complaining for months about the algae-riddled pool in the backyard of a bank-owned home (REO) in her neighborhood. Now Debbie Davis is claiming that her complaints continue to go unanswered even though she has allegedly contracted West Nile virus due to the pool’s contamination, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. /content/news-and-opinion/the-dark-cloud-behind-the-silver-lining-of-lower-foreclosure-activity-7355The video segment below from PBS NewsHour covering the RealtyTrac July foreclosure report does a decent job of covering the admittedly somewhat cloudy foreclosure trends revealed in the report.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The video segment below from PBS NewsHour covering the RealtyTrac July foreclosure report does a decent job of covering the admittedly somewhat cloudy foreclosure trends revealed in the report.

0Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe video segment below from PBS NewsHour covering the RealtyTrac July foreclosure report does a decent job of covering the admittedly somewhat cloudy and divergent foreclosure trends revealed in the report. Unfortunately those divergent trends indicate that the housing market is still struggling to extricate itself from the foreclosure albatross that has been weighing it down over the past five years. The foreclosure trends diverge in at least two different ways: by state and by stage of the foreclosure process. /content/news-and-opinion/luxury-foreclosures-on-the-auction-block-7354There has never been a better time to steal ritzy foreclosure auction properties from lenders. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

There has never been a better time to steal ritzy foreclosure auction properties from lenders.

0Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere has never been a better time to steal ritzy foreclosure auction properties from lenders. Bank balance sheets are bulging with high-end auction bargains waiting for you to scoop up. Here’s a few of America’s most expensive foreclosure auctions./content/news-and-opinion/texas-from-chart-topper-to-game-changer-7353Starting in January 2005, RealtyTrac began gathering and reporting on national foreclosure statistics and the first state to top the list was Texas. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Starting in January 2005, RealtyTrac began gathering and reporting on national foreclosure statistics and the first state to top the list was Texas.

0Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTStarting in January 2005, RealtyTrac began gathering and reporting on national foreclosure statistics and the first state to top the list was Texas, claiming the top spot not only for total foreclosure activity (12,614 properties with foreclosure filings), but the top foreclosure rate as well (one in every 590 Texas housing units had a foreclosure filing back then). /content/news-and-opinion/is-the-foreclosure-crisis-ending-7352When will it end? That’s a question commonly associated with toothaches and tax preparation, but increasingly it applies to the foreclosure mess. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

When will it end? That’s a question commonly associated with toothaches and tax preparation, but increasingly it applies to the foreclosure mess.

0Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhen will it end? That’s a question commonly associated with toothaches and tax preparation, but increasingly it applies to the foreclosure mess. So when will it end? At this moment we don’t have an answer — but we're beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel./content/news-and-opinion/four-states-four-different-foreclosure-patterns-7351As is evident from the RealtyTrac July 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report issued Aug. 9, recent national foreclosure trends are masking a wide variety of wildly different state-level foreclosure patterns.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

As is evident from the RealtyTrac July 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report issued Aug. 9, recent national foreclosure trends are masking a wide variety of wildly different state-level foreclosure patterns.

0Mon, 20 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTAs is evident from the RealtyTrac July 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report issued Aug. 9, recent national foreclosure trends are masking a wide variety of wildly different state-level foreclosure patterns. While national foreclosure activity decreased on a year-over-year basis for the 22nd straight month in July, 16 states posted year-over-year increases in foreclosure activity — including foreclosure starts, scheduled foreclosure auctions and bank repossessions./content/news-and-opinion/the-unsettled-foreclosure-settlement-7350It’s been six months since the federal government and attorneys general from 49 states came to terms with the five largest lenders in the nation.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s been six months since the federal government and attorneys general from 49 states came to terms with the five largest lenders in the nation.

0Fri, 17 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt’s been six months since the federal government and attorneys general from 49 states came to terms with the five largest lenders in the nation, settling on a $25 billion penalty for illegal foreclosure practices including the so-called “robo-signing” of foreclosure documentation starting back in 2008./content/news-and-opinion/fed-still-attending-to-the-nations-housing-sector-7349The calls are starting to get louder for the presidential candidates to address the nation’s floundering housing sector.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The calls are starting to get louder for the presidential candidates to address the nation’s floundering housing sector.

0Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe calls are starting to get louder for the presidential candidates to address the nation’s floundering housing sector, particularly foreclosures, underwater mortgages, the fate of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and housing affordability in the future. /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-and-the-presidential-race-7348With less than three months remaining until the presidential election, neither candidate has talked much about the troubled U.S. housing market, especially in foreclosure-riddled states like Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Michigan — all keyOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

With less than three months remaining until the presidential election, neither candidate has talked much about the troubled U.S. housing market, especially in foreclosure-riddled states like Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Michigan — all key

0Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith less than three months remaining until the presidential election, neither candidate has talked much about the troubled U.S. housing market, especially in foreclosure-riddled states like Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Michigan — all key swing states./content/news-and-opinion/bailout-claims-banks-got-bailed-out-while-borrowers-got-sold-out-7346For most Americans, the bank bailouts — known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP — was an ill-conceived $700 billion ($750 billion?) bailout of Wall Street bankers paid for by Main Street taxpayers. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

For most Americans, the bank bailouts — known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP — was an ill-conceived $700 billion ($750 billion?) bailout of Wall Street bankers paid for by Main Street taxpayers.

0Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor most Americans, the bank bailouts — known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP — was an ill-conceived $700 billion ($750 billion?) bailout of Wall Street bankers paid for by Main Street taxpayers. /content/news-and-opinion/mortgage-rates-are-down-but-are-they-down-enough-7345It may seem like a strange question given that mortgage rates have been in a crater for the past year or so, but according to the New York Times loan rates would actually be lower if lender fees had not increased. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

It may seem like a strange question given that mortgage rates have been in a crater for the past year or so, but according to the New York Times loan rates would actually be lower if lender fees had not increased.

0Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt may seem like a strange question given that mortgage rates have been in a crater for the past year or so, but according to the New York Times loan rates would actually be lower if lender fees had not increased. /content/news-and-opinion/reo-inventory-vintage-varies-widely-state-by-state-7344The foreclosure crisis hit hard in both Michigan and Arizona, but the wreckage of bank-owned inventory has been much more difficult for the Michigan market to absorb than the Arizona market.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The foreclosure crisis hit hard in both Michigan and Arizona, but the wreckage of bank-owned inventory has been much more difficult for the Michigan market to absorb than the Arizona market.

0Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure crisis hit hard in both Michigan and Arizona, but the wreckage of bank-owned inventory has been much more difficult for the Michigan market to absorb than the Arizona market. Evidence of that is the existence of the Michigan Land Bank, which was created by state law in 2004 to clean up the inventory of thousands of foreclosed properties that virtually no one else wants to acquire. The land bank is allowed to “manage, sell, exchange, lease, option, renovate, develop, and demolish properties within its inventory.”/content/news-and-opinion/new-rules-help-homeowners-avoid-foreclosure-7343A newly established government agency created to protect consumers against mortgage abuse announced tighter rules last week aimed at protecting homeowners from servicer mistakes, forcing the mortgage industry to stop treating homeowners like beggars Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

A newly established government agency created to protect consumers against mortgage abuse announced tighter rules last week aimed at protecting homeowners from servicer mistakes, forcing the mortgage industry to stop treating homeowners like beggars

0Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTA newly established government agency created to protect consumers against mortgage abuse announced tighter rules last week aimed at protecting homeowners from servicer mistakes, forcing the mortgage industry to stop treating homeowners like beggars looking for a handout. /content/news-and-opinion/the-high-end-foreclosure-sales-non-sequitur-7342High-end home sales are increasing as sellers of these homes agree to sell for less than they may have originally wanted, according to a recent piece on CNBC that cited RealtyTrac data.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

High-end home sales are increasing as sellers of these homes agree to sell for less than they may have originally wanted, according to a recent piece on CNBC that cited RealtyTrac data.

0Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTHigh-end home sales are increasing as sellers of these homes agree to sell for less than they may have originally wanted, according to a recent piece on CNBC that cited RealtyTrac data. The data clearly demonstrate that high-end sales are increasing while the average price of those high-end sales is declining. In the first five months of 2012, a total of 22,601 homes sold for $1 million or more, an increase of 23 percent from the first five months of 2011 and an increase of 16 percent from the same time period in 2010./content/news-and-opinion/to-rent-or-to-buy-the-decision-is-still-unclear-7341Like anything else in real estate, the decision whether to rent or buy a home usually comes down to a couple of factors — location and cost, with a little emotion. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Like anything else in real estate, the decision whether to rent or buy a home usually comes down to a couple of factors — location and cost, with a little emotion.

0Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTLike anything else in real estate, the decision whether to rent or buy a home usually comes down to a couple of factors — location and cost, with a little emotion (check that, a lot of emotion) thrown in to the mix. When the cost of housing is too high, they choose more often to rent, and when prices go down they scramble to buy while homes are more affordable./content/news-and-opinion/junior-liens-hamstring-successful-short-sales-7340Short sales are increasing overall, but short sales involving homes with more than one outstanding mortgage still present a significant challenge to the mortgage servicing industry.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Short sales are increasing overall, but short sales involving homes with more than one outstanding mortgage still present a significant challenge to the mortgage servicing industry.

0Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTShort sales — the more palatable alternative to foreclosure — are increasing overall, but short sales involving homes with more than one outstanding mortgage still present a significant challenge to the mortgage servicing industry. A short sale is the sale of a home for less than what is owed on any loan or loans securing the home and require approval from the lender or lenders who hold those loans because in essence those lenders are agreeing to take a loss. Successfully closing a short sale becomes much more difficult when approval is needed from two or more lenders./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-for-the-price-of-a-motorcycle-7335Imagine buying a foreclosed house for less than what it cost to buy a brand new motorcycle. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Imagine buying a foreclosed house for less than what it cost to buy a brand new motorcycle.

0Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTImagine buying a foreclosed house for less than what it cost to buy a brand new motorcycle. Well thousands of foreclosures are available for sale on RealtyTrac for only a few grand. /content/news-and-opinion/why-lenders-dont-list-reos-the-conspiracy-theories-7334Two items in the most recent quarterly 10-Q SEC filing from Fannie Mae opens the possibility that lenders may be intentionally holding back REO inventory from being listed. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Two items in the most recent quarterly 10-Q SEC filing from Fannie Mae opens the possibility that lenders may be intentionally holding back REO inventory from being listed.

0Wed, 08 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTTwo items in the most recent quarterly 10-Q SEC filing from Fannie Mae opens the possibility that lenders may be intentionally holding back REO inventory from being listed. The first item is found in the list of reasons that Fannie gives for only 22 percent of its REO inventory being listed for sale: Other, accounting for 5 percent of the total 78 percent that are not listed. The second is some version of the following phrase found several places in the report in reference to one of the strategies Fannie is taking to boost its bottom line: “Managing our REO inventory to minimize costs and maximize sales proceeds.”/content/news-and-opinion/can-eminent-domain-solve-the-foreclosure-crisis-7333A new idea is floating around that underwater borrowers can be helped by refinancing their homes at current interest rates by having local government seize mortgages under eminent domain.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

A new idea is floating around that underwater borrowers can be helped by refinancing their homes at current interest rates by having local government seize mortgages under eminent domain.

0Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTA new idea is floating around, the thought that underwater borrowers can be salvaged by refinancing their homes at current interest rates. How? By having local government seize mortgages under the concept of eminent domain, a plan which has been proposed in San Bernardino, Calif. Dig a little further and we have to ask the question of who, exactly, will buy the existing loans — especially if the current lenders do not want to sell or cannot sell./content/news-and-opinion/bottom-dwellers-waiting-to-pounce-on-the-market-7331The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times both published articles within the past six weeks declaring that the housing market has bottomed out. But hold on for just a minute. It seems that not everyone believes it. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times both published articles within the past six weeks declaring that the housing market has bottomed out. But hold on for just a minute. It seems that not everyone believes it.

0Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Wall Street Journal and The New York Times both published articles within the past six weeks declaring that the housing market has bottomed out. But hold on for just a minute. It seems that not everyone believes it. /content/news-and-opinion/ryan-lochtes-parents-underwater-facing-foreclosure-7330The parents of U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte are facing foreclosure on their Florida home, according to TMZ.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The parents of U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte are facing foreclosure on their Florida home, according to TMZ.

0Mon, 06 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe parents of U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte are facing foreclosure on their Florida home, according to TMZ. CitiMortgage, the mortgage arm of Citigroup, is suing Steven and Ileana Lochte in order to foreclose on their Port Orange home, which is south of Daytona Beach, Fla. The bank is seeking to recoup $250,000. The Lochtes divorced in February 2011, after 36 years of marriage. /content/news-and-opinion/distressed-homeowners-face-additional-tax-burden-in-2013-7329The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 is due to expire at the end of this year, which means distressed homeowners who successfully complete a loan modification or short sale could face a hefty tax bill.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 is due to expire at the end of this year, which means distressed homeowners who successfully complete a loan modification or short sale could face a hefty tax bill.

0Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTLet’s face it. It’s an election year and politicians are notorious for doing whatever it takes if they think it will put them in the good graces of voters. Even if that means taking on the Internal Revenue Service. The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 is due to expire at the end of this year, and a few members of Congress are supporting proposed legislation being offered up in the 11th hour of a lame duck session just in time to extend the Act for at least another year. Currently the law exempts homeowners who receive a principal reduction on their mortgage (a loan modification or short sale) from incurring any tax liability for the amount of the forgiven amount. /content/news-and-opinion/dispatch-from-inman-interest-in-distressed-real-estate-heard-but-not-seen-7328Talk of the distressed property market was woven into the fabric of conversations and panels at the Inman Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco this week.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Talk of the distressed property market was woven into the fabric of conversations and panels at the Inman Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco this week.

0Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTTalk of the distressed property market was woven into the fabric of conversations and panels at the Inman Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco this week — not surprising given that one in every four sales in the first quarter was a property in some stage of foreclosure or bank-owned. But when it came time to understand more about that market niche, agents did not show up in droves to learn more. I know that because I was part of one of the panels in the afternoon’s Distressed Properties track titled “Understanding the Distressed Real Estate Market.”/content/news-and-opinion/realtytrac-exclusive-qandampa-with-spike-tvs-flip-men-garages-the-new-kitchens-and-other-foreclosure-flipping-secrets-7327RealtyTrac recently caught up with the stars of Spike TV’s Flip Men, Doug Clark and Mike Baird, fresh from finishing up Season 2 of their show, which premieres this Sunday, Aug. 5 at 10 p.m. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

RealtyTrac recently caught up with the stars of Spike TV’s Flip Men, Doug Clark and Mike Baird, fresh from finishing up Season 2 of their show, which premieres this Sunday, Aug. 5 at 10 p.m.

0Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac recently caught up with the stars of Spike TV’s Flip Men, Doug Clark and Mike Baird, fresh from finishing up Season 2 of their show, which premieres this Sunday, Aug. 5 at 10 p.m. In this exclusive interview with RealtyTrac, Clark and Baird provide insight into what it takes to be successful real estate investors, particularly when it comes to flipping distressed properties. Read their advice for new investors, along with practical tips on the value of a good garage rehab, saving $10,000 on a simple drywall fix, and dealing with pesky city inspectors./content/news-and-opinion/regulator-torpedoes-obamas-mortgage-reduction-plan-7317The federal regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said on Tuesday that he would not allow the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to reduce loan balances of delinquent and underwater borrowers, claiming in a 15-page report that there waOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The federal regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said on Tuesday that he would not allow the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to reduce loan balances of delinquent and underwater borrowers, claiming in a 15-page report that there wa

0Thu, 02 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe federal regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac said on Tuesday that he would not allow the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to reduce loan balances of delinquent and underwater borrowers, claiming in a 15-page report that there was no clear cut financial benefits, and such a move could trigger some borrowers to intentionally default on their mortgage loans in the hopes of a taxpayer bailout./content/news-and-opinion/golden-opportunities-in-tampa-7316The July 2012 issue of Foreclosure News Report spotlights Tampa, Florida, an area that took big hits in property values during the market downturn, and still presents great opportunities for real estate investors looking to cash in on purchasing rentJoel Cone, Staff Writer

The July 2012 issue of Foreclosure News Report spotlights Tampa, Florida, an area that took big hits in property values during the market downturn, and still presents great opportunities for real estate investors looking to cash in on purchasing rent

0Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe July 2012 issue of Foreclosure News Report spotlights Tampa, Florida, an area that took big hits in property values during the market downturn, and still presents great opportunities for real estate investors looking to cash in on purchasing rental properties./content/news-and-opinion/turning-reo-trash-into-treasure-7315In the July 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we explore how investors are turning REO trash into real estate treasure. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

In the July 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we explore how investors are turning REO trash into real estate treasure.

0Wed, 01 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn the July 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we explore how investors are turning REO trash into real estate treasure. /content/news-and-opinion/multiple-offers-what-to-do-7313If you are buying real estate right now you have received the phone call from your real estate agent: “We are in a multiple offer situation.” Amanda Charlesworth, Georgia Real Estate Investors Association Past President

If you are buying real estate right now you have received the phone call from your real estate agent: “We are in a multiple offer situation.”

0Tue, 31 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you are buying real estate right now you have received the phone call from your real estate agent: “We are in a multiple offer situation.” Most buyers are expecting a counter offer or if they are really lucky that their offer will be accepted; however when they receive the notice they are in a multiple offer situation the next question is: What do we do now? Notice of multiple offers is also commonly referred to in the real estate industry as “Highest and Best” in which all buyers are given notice of multiple offers and given a deadline to respond with their highest and best offer. When this occurs you have three options: /content/news-and-opinion/will-the-merkley-plan-slash-foreclosure-levels-7312Just about everyone agrees that the housing market would be much stronger if millions of mortgages could be refinanced. Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Just about everyone agrees that the housing market would be much stronger if millions of mortgages could be refinanced.

0Tue, 31 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTJust about everyone agrees that the housing market would be much stronger if millions of mortgages could be refinanced. It sounds like a good idea because borrowers with lower rates would pay less each month and that would make homes more affordable, reduce foreclosures, cut short sales, and generate more free cash for consumer spending./content/news-and-opinion/the-lost-bank-the-inside-story-of-washington-mutuals-demise-7311Kirsten Grind’s new book, “The Lost Bank: chronicles the rise and fall of Washington Mutual, one of the nation’s largest subprime lenders.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Kirsten Grind’s new book, “The Lost Bank: chronicles the rise and fall of Washington Mutual, one of the nation’s largest subprime lenders.

0Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTKirsten Grind’s new book, “The Lost Bank: The Story of Washington Mutual — The Biggest Bank Failure in American History” (Simon & Schuster, 2012), chronicles the rise and fall of Washington Mutual, one of the nation’s largest subprime lenders, and the biggest bank failure in U.S. history./content/news-and-opinion/servicers-give-lip-service-to-short-sales-7310Several mortgage servicers gave impressive lip service to promoting short sales at a recent industry conference, and the recent increase in short sales may demonstrate their money is where their mouths are.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Several mortgage servicers gave impressive lip service to promoting short sales at a recent industry conference, and the recent increase in short sales may demonstrate their money is where their mouths are.

0Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTSeveral mortgage servicers gave impressive lip service to promoting short sales at a recent industry conference, and the recent increase in short sales may demonstrate their money is where their mouths are. I had the privilege of moderating a panel covering the topic of short sales at the 4th Annual Best Practices in Loss Mitigation Conference, sponsored by National Mortgage News, on Friday July 20 in Dallas. Titled “Heading for the Exit — Short Sales Dominate in 2012”, the panelists included three gentleman steeped in the world of short sales from the lender and servicer perspective./content/news-and-opinion/why-lenders-dont-list-reos-procedural-and-practical-impediments-7309A recent AOL Real Estate blog post on bank-owned homes being held off the market raise a few eyebrows, even among those who acknowledge a so-called shadow inventory.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

A recent AOL Real Estate blog post on bank-owned homes being held off the market raise a few eyebrows, even among those who acknowledge a so-called shadow inventory.

0Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTA recent AOL Real Estate blog post on bank-owned homes being held off the market raise a few eyebrows, even among those who acknowledge a so-called shadow inventory. Citing data from RealtyTrac and CoreLogic, the article claimed that as many as 90 percent of all bank-owned homes are not listed for sale. That 90 percent number comes from CoreLogic. The RealtyTrac estimate is 85 percent of REOs are not listed for sale. Both firms’ numbers paint a very similar picture: the vast majority of REO homes are not listed for sale. That doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense given that many Realtors I’ve talked to are asking for more inventory of properties to sell./content/news-and-opinion/stockton-lawmaker-wants-to-fast-track-short-sales-7308Whether or not he is doing it to score some political points with his constituents or with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, at least has a plan to quicken the short sale process.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Whether or not he is doing it to score some political points with his constituents or with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, at least has a plan to quicken the short sale process.

0Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhether or not he is doing it to score some political points with his constituents or with other lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Congressman Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, at least has a plan to quicken the short sale process./content/news-and-opinion/realtytrac-ceo-on-cnbc-the-12-trillion-housing-problem-7307RealtyTrac CEO Brandon Moore appeared on CNBC today, providing insight on why properties already in foreclosure only represent the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential housing market risk.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

RealtyTrac CEO Brandon Moore appeared on CNBC today, providing insight on why properties already in foreclosure only represent the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential housing market risk.

0Wed, 25 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac CEO Brandon Moore appeared on CNBC’s Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo today, providing insight on why properties already in foreclosure only represent the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential housing market risk. Moore shared that loans in the foreclosure process represented $45 billion in negative equity, which effectively equates to losses the banks backing those loans will have to absorb when they complete foreclosure or approve a short sale — except for in the rare cases where the banks are willing and able to go after the distressed homeowner for any losses not covered by the sale of the foreclosed home or the short sale./content/news-and-opinion/hard-up-for-good-news-in-the-real-estate-sector-7306Ask any economist and they will tell you that a typical real estate cycle lasts for seven years. The last one we had lasted for more than twice as long. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Ask any economist and they will tell you that a typical real estate cycle lasts for seven years. The last one we had lasted for more than twice as long.

0Wed, 25 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTAsk any economist and they will tell you that a typical real estate cycle lasts for seven years. The last one we had lasted for more than twice as long. Plus, as history has demonstrated in the past, it’s the real estate sector that has usually led the national economy back from the pit of despair (better known as recessions). And we just got past a BIG ONE!/content/news-and-opinion/senior-foreclosures-a-growing-worry-7304The population may be aging but in terms of foreclosures there are no golden years for a growing number of older Americans.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

The population may be aging but in terms of foreclosures there are no golden years for a growing number of older Americans.

0Tue, 24 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe population may be aging but in terms of foreclosures there are no golden years for a growing number of older Americans. What's surprising is that older Americans would seem to have the most defenses against economic turmoil. Those aged 50 and above have had three, four and even five decades to establish careers, pay-off mortgages and set aside funds for retirement. Many now benefit from Social Security and Medicare. And yet something has gone terribly wrong. Huge numbers of older people who should have made it financially are now struggling. /content/news-and-opinion/the-graying-of-the-foreclosure-crisis-7303It’s a sad state of affairs. In these days of economic strife, the average aging American — from the Baby Boomer Generation and older — can no longer depend on being able to survive financially. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s a sad state of affairs. In these days of economic strife, the average aging American — from the Baby Boomer Generation and older — can no longer depend on being able to survive financially.

0Fri, 20 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt’s a sad state of affairs. In these days of economic strife, the average aging American — from the Baby Boomer Generation and older — can no longer depend on being able to survive financially in what was supposed to be their “Golden Years.” The Great Recession has done them in./content/news-and-opinion/love-it-or-hate-it-bill-of-rights-is-now-the-law-7302It wasn’t that long ago that the economy was red hot, and the real estate market in California was even hotter. We were in the midst of the real estate bubble and my wife and I were looking at buying a house.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It wasn’t that long ago that the economy was red hot, and the real estate market in California was even hotter. We were in the midst of the real estate bubble and my wife and I were looking at buying a house.

0Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt wasn’t that long ago that the economy was red hot, and the real estate market in California was even hotter. We were in the midst of the real estate bubble and my wife and I were looking at buying a house. The Realtor we were working with introduced us to his office’s in-house lender who proceeded to pre-qualify us for a million dollar loan./content/news-and-opinion/california-county-considers-seizing-mortgages-7301Desperate for a way out of a housing collapse that has crippled the region’s economy, officials in San Bernardino County, Calif., are exploring a controversial plan to revive the struggling economy — using eminent domain.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Desperate for a way out of a housing collapse that has crippled the region’s economy, officials in San Bernardino County, Calif., are exploring a controversial plan to revive the struggling economy — using eminent domain.

0Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTDesperate for a way out of a housing collapse that has crippled the region’s economy, officials in San Bernardino County, Calif., are exploring a controversial plan to revive the struggling economy — using eminent domain to lower mortgage payments and buy up “underwater” mortgages, where the value of the home is worth less than the original loan./content/news-and-opinion/how-do-i-determine-a-foreclosure-homes-fair-market-value-7299In this post we’ll answer three questions posed by webinar attendees regarding how to determine fair market value of a foreclosure property.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In this post we’ll answer three questions posed by webinar attendees regarding how to determine fair market value of a foreclosure property.

0Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTThis is the fifth and final post covering questions asked by attendees to the Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar and RealtyTrac website demo. View the most recent recording of the webinar. In the first post we covered the topic of avoiding foreclosure, in the second post we covered the topic of buying at the foreclosure auction, and in the third and fourth posts we covered the topic of buying bank-owned homes. In this post we’ll answer three questions posed by webinar attendees regarding how to determine fair market value of a foreclosure property./content/news-and-opinion/are-interest-free-mortgages-really-possible-7298Interest rates have been reaching historic lows with dull regularity during the past few months. Freddie Mac says rates last week for 30-year financing hit 3.56 percent, the lowest on record.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

Interest rates have been reaching historic lows with dull regularity during the past few months. Freddie Mac says rates last week for 30-year financing hit 3.56 percent, the lowest on record.

0Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTInterest rates have been reaching historic lows with dull regularity during the past few months. Freddie Mac says rates last week for 30-year financing hit 3.56 percent, the lowest on record. But rates could go far lower. As a leading indicator of sorts, we have the $5.95 million mortgage taken out by Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. His ARM start rate? Just 1.05 percent. That's below the inflation rate, meaning in terms of buying power that Zuckerberg has no real borrowing cost. One can actually make the argument that Zuckerberg — who has a better balance sheet than a number of governments — is overpaying./content/news-and-opinion/why-are-some-reos-already-sold-or-owned-by-non-banks-7297In this post we’ll stay on the topic of buying bank-owned homes, but address some specific challenges in doing so raised in two different questions asked by attendees to recent webinars.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In this post we’ll stay on the topic of buying bank-owned homes, but address some specific challenges in doing so raised in two different questions asked by attendees to recent webinars.

0Mon, 16 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn this post we’ll stay on the topic of buying bank-owned homes, but address some specific challenges in doing so raised in two different questions asked by attendees to recent webinars. When a foreclosure property is auctioned off at a public foreclosure auction, it is sold to one of two parties: either a third-party buyer or the foreclosing lender. If it “sells” back to the foreclosing lender, which happens the majority of the time, it becomes an REO, or Real Estate Owned by the lender. It’s important to first clarify that not all bank owned properties (REOs) or pre-foreclosure properties on RealtyTrac have even been listed for sale yet. /content/news-and-opinion/how-do-i-pursue-and-purchase-both-unlisted-and-listed-reos-7296In this post we’ll look at the topic of buying bank-owned homes, both listed for sale and not listed for sale, through the filter of three questions asked during recent webinars.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In this post we’ll look at the topic of buying bank-owned homes, both listed for sale and not listed for sale, through the filter of three questions asked during recent webinars.

0Mon, 16 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn this post we’ll look at the topic of buying bank-owned homes through the filter of three questions asked during recent webinars. These are properties that have gone through the foreclosure process and have been repossessed by the foreclosing lenders, most commonly through a public foreclosure auction where no third party bids on the property, but also through deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure, where a homeowner in default voluntarily deeds ownership of the property to the foreclosing lender — often in exchange for some cash to walk away./content/news-and-opinion/are-more-foreclosures-good-for-housing-7295In covering the RealtyTrac midyear foreclosure numbers yesterday, CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo posed an interesting question to her guests on the cable network’s Closing Bell program.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In covering the RealtyTrac midyear foreclosure numbers yesterday, CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo posed an interesting question to her guests on the cable network’s Closing Bell program.

0Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn covering the RealtyTrac midyear foreclosure numbers yesterday, CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo posed an interesting question to her guests on the cable network’s Closing Bell program. The question: Are Rising Foreclosures Good or Bad For the Housing Market? Of course, the two guests took opposing positions on the question, which makes for good television I suppose. /content/news-and-opinion/top-10-foreclosure-beach-towns-7294The general rule of thumb is: the closer you are to the water, the more expensive the real estate. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The general rule of thumb is: the closer you are to the water, the more expensive the real estate.

0Thu, 12 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe general rule of thumb is: the closer you are to the water, the more expensive the real estate. Yet vacationers and retirees flock every year to their favorite beach location for a reprieve from sweltering summer heat./content/news-and-opinion/atlanta-super-hot-rental-market-7293According to RealtyTrac’s June 2012 Foreclosure News Report, Atlanta’s housing market is in a painful retrenchment after decades of extraordinary growth. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

According to RealtyTrac’s June 2012 Foreclosure News Report, Atlanta’s housing market is in a painful retrenchment after decades of extraordinary growth.

0Thu, 12 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTAccording to RealtyTrac’s June 2012 Foreclosure News Report, Atlanta’s housing market is in a painful retrenchment after decades of extraordinary growth. /content/news-and-opinion/what-happens-at-and-after-a-foreclosure-auction-7292The foreclosure process is governed by state law, and all states require some form of foreclosure auction during the process. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The foreclosure process is governed by state law, and all states require some form of foreclosure auction during the process.

0Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure process is governed by state law, and all states require some form of foreclosure auction during the process. All states require a public advertisement or publication of the foreclosure auction prior to the actual auction event. This publication period is typically from one to three months, and the real estate auction itself is conducted in a public place, most often at or near the courthouse in the county where the property is located. Presumably such a publicly advertised and conducted auction prevents lenders from unilaterally repossessing a property securing a delinquent loan./content/news-and-opinion/hi-im-eminent-domain-and-im-here-to-help-7290Twenty four years ago, President Ronald Reagan, said that the 10 most terrifying words in the English language are: “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Twenty four years ago, President Ronald Reagan, said that the 10 most terrifying words in the English language are: “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

0Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTTwenty four years ago, President Ronald Reagan, said that the 10 most terrifying words in the English language are: “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” /content/news-and-opinion/7-best-banks-for-short-short-sale-bargains-7273The process of buying a short sale and the discounts available can vary widely based on the lender/servicer/investor involved in approving the sale. Here are the 7 best banks for short sale bargains.RealtyTrac Staff

The process of buying a short sale and the discounts available can vary widely based on the lender/servicer/investor involved in approving the sale. Here are the 7 best banks for short sale bargains.

0Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTPre-foreclosure sales (typically short sales) increased to a three-year high in the first quarter of 2012 even as the average pre-foreclosure sales price reached a record low — making 2012 a prime time to purchase a short sale. But the process of buying a short sale and the discounts available can vary widely based on the lender/servicer/investor involved in approving the sale. Some banks are approving short sales more often, more quickly and at lower prices than others. In light of that RealtyTrac has ranked the best major banks to work with when buying a short sale home. /content/news-and-opinion/why-home-equity-lines-of-credit-are-a-foreclosure-menace-7289In the next few years a new mortgage threat will arise, one that’s destined to create large numbers of short sales, foreclosures and REOs.Peter Miller, Guest Columnist

In the next few years a new mortgage threat will arise, one that’s destined to create large numbers of short sales, foreclosures and REOs.

0Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn the next few years a new mortgage threat will arise, one that’s destined to create large numbers of short sales, foreclosures and REOs. According to a new report by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), banks today hold home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) with a total outstanding balance of $11 billion. By 2018, that balance is expected to reach $111 billion, a balance that will mean big problems for many borrowers — and lenders./content/news-and-opinion/how-do-homeowners-avoid-foreclosure-7288What options do homeowners have to avoid foreclosure after they start the foreclosure process?Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

What options do homeowners have to avoid foreclosure after they start the foreclosure process?

0Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTEvery month I have the pleasure of hosting a Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar with RealtyTrac website demo for new and prospective RealtyTrac members. The most enlightening portion of the webinar for me is the Q&A at the end. We always get great questions from the attendees that keep me on my toes. And I’m sure that for almost every attendee who asks a question there are hundreds of other folks who have the same question, so I’m going to address some questions from recent webinars in a series of posts. The first question I’ll address was from a webinar on May 3, 2012: What options do homeowners have to avoid foreclosure after they start the foreclosure process? /content/news-and-opinion/fallen-angelo-of-the-real-estate-world-7287He was bigger than life…and he was an industry superstar. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

He was bigger than life…and he was an industry superstar.

0Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTHe was bigger than life…and he was an industry superstar. It was the 1990s, and he was the featured speaker at the California Association of Realtors EXPO at the Long Beach Convention Center and the room was packed. He was in his element, speaking to real estate professionals from all over California whose client base was making him money hand over fist. After all…he WAS Mr. Countrywide himself…Angelo Mozilo./content/news-and-opinion/libor-rigged-interest-rates-rigged-real-estate-7286Suddenly, the LIBOR rigging is exploding into a major banking scandal that will have far-reaching implications — both in Europe and in the United States.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Suddenly, the LIBOR rigging is exploding into a major banking scandal that will have far-reaching implications — both in Europe and in the United States.

0Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTOn Monday, the chairman of Barclays, Marcus Agius, resigned after the British bank agreed to pay $450 million to settle findings that it — and other banks — had rigged benchmark interest rates to benefit its own bottom line. Tuesday, Barclays chief executive, Robert Diamond, resigned immediately. Suddenly, the LIBOR rigging is exploding into a major banking scandal that will have far-reaching implications — both in Europe and in the United States./content/news-and-opinion/5-short-sale-homes-listed-for-more-than-1-million-7284Short sales are on the rise nationwide in some of the country’s tonier towns, as the well-heeled are drowning in mortgage debt. Here's a list of five short sale homes listed for more than $1 million.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Short sales are on the rise nationwide in some of the country’s tonier towns, as the well-heeled are drowning in mortgage debt. Here's a list of five short sale homes listed for more than $1 million.

0Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTInitially, when the foreclosure crisis hit, it crushed the middle-class, sending hundreds of thousands of sub-prime borrowers into foreclosure. But the foreclosure crisis affected the wealthy too, sweeping through affluent areas with equal disregard. Now short sales are on the rise nationwide in some of the country’s tonier towns, as the well-heeled are drowning in mortgage debt. Here’s RealtyTrac’s latest list of top-tier communities where short sale bargains abound./content/news-and-opinion/can-the-states-legislate-robo-signing-away-7283With the signing of the $25 billion foreclosure settlement done and over with, state officials are looking for ways to protect their citizens from future abuse of the foreclosure process.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

With the signing of the $25 billion foreclosure settlement done and over with, state officials are looking for ways to protect their citizens from future abuse of the foreclosure process.

0Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith the signing of the $25 billion foreclosure settlement done and over with, state officials are looking for ways to protect their citizens from future abuse of the foreclosure process. In California, for instance, the state legislature yesterday passed a pair of bills incorporating part of Attorney General Kamala Harris’s California Homeowner Bill of Rights — a legislative package comprised of six individual bills that would basically adopt all provisions of the national agreement and make them permanent to the state. /content/news-and-opinion/is-the-libor-mortgage-finished-7282Barclays Bank PLC — the huge British bank — has agreed to pay more than $450 million in fines for efforts to manipulate the LIBOR rate, something that could have a big impact on foreclosures and mortgages.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

Barclays Bank PLC — the huge British bank — has agreed to pay more than $450 million in fines for efforts to manipulate the LIBOR rate, something that could have a big impact on foreclosures and mortgages.

0Tue, 03 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTBarclays Bank PLC — the huge British bank — has agreed to pay more than $450 million in fines for efforts to manipulate the LIBOR rate. Now an enlarged investigation is underway, one which could involve the pricing of U.S. mortgages. The “LIBOR” is the London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest index set by several British lenders based on the estimated cost to borrow from one another. Barclays is one of the banks that set the LIBOR rate, and the bank has now been fined for trying to fudge the numbers./content/news-and-opinion/celebration-should-be-put-on-hold-for-now-7281On the surface, things sure are looking up these days when it comes to the nation’s housing sector as a whole. And the press is eating it up, declaring a housing recovery is underway. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

On the surface, things sure are looking up these days when it comes to the nation’s housing sector as a whole. And the press is eating it up, declaring a housing recovery is underway.

0Tue, 03 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTOn the surface, things sure are looking up these days when it comes to the nation’s housing sector as a whole. And the press is eating it up, declaring a housing recovery is underway. /content/news-and-opinion/the-rise-and-fall-of-short-sale-discounts-7280Although big discounts are still available with short sales, those discounts may be dwindling in some local markets as rock-bottom home prices draw in buyer demand, finally forming a solid market bottom.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Although big discounts are still available with short sales, those discounts may be dwindling in some local markets as rock-bottom home prices draw in buyer demand, finally forming a solid market bottom.

0Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac recently provided some pre-foreclosure sales data to Bloomberg TV for a segment on markets with the biggest decreases in short sale discounts compared to a year ago, along with markets with the biggest increases in short sale discounts. The point being that although big discounts are still available with short sales, those discounts may be dwindling in some local markets as rock-bottom home prices draw in buyer demand, finally forming a solid market bottom./content/news-and-opinion/housing-crash-20-was-stimulus-medicine-or-poison-7279When the real estate bubble popped, it not only triggered a recession and a U.S. stock market crash, but it also sent the world’s largest economy into the Great Recession of 2008.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

When the real estate bubble popped, it not only triggered a recession and a U.S. stock market crash, but it also sent the world’s largest economy into the Great Recession of 2008.

0Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhen the real estate bubble popped, it not only triggered a recession and a U.S. stock market crash, but it also endangered the entire global financial system, toppling Wall Street investment banks, generating millions of foreclosures, crippling the world’s largest economy and sending America into the Great Recession of 2008./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-machinery-lubricated-by-feds-7278Now that the federal government has lubricated the foreclosure machinery with $25 billion in settlement money, they will fire-up the foreclosure assembly line.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Now that the federal government has lubricated the foreclosure machinery with $25 billion in settlement money, they will fire-up the foreclosure assembly line.

0Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTNow that the federal government has lubricated the foreclosure machinery with $25 billion in settlement money, and the big banks have put the robo-signing scandal behind them, they will fire-up the foreclosure assembly line in the coming months and push through thousands of foreclosure filings, according to an article by Barry Ritholtz in The Washington Post last Sunday. /content/news-and-opinion/video-find-the-best-short-sale-bargains-in-your-neighborhood-7277RealtyTrac allows you to quickly identity properties in default or scheduled for foreclosure auction in your area, and then filter and sort those properties by many criteria, including foreclosing bank.RealtyTrac Staff

RealtyTrac allows you to quickly identity properties in default or scheduled for foreclosure auction in your area, and then filter and sort those properties by many criteria, including foreclosing bank.

0Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac allows you to quickly identity properties in default or scheduled for foreclosure auction (potential short sales) in your area, and then filter and sort those properties by size, beds and baths, value, equity, year built and even the foreclosing bank — so you know which homes represent the best opportunity for a streamlined short sale bargain./content/news-and-opinion/restricted-reo-inventory-side-effects-7276Although the foreclosure processing delays triggered by robo-signing are stalling any definitive real estate recovery, there are some side effects that may be positive for the overall housing market.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Although the foreclosure processing delays triggered by robo-signing are stalling any definitive real estate recovery, there are some side effects that may be positive for the overall housing market.

0Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSince the robo-signing controversy in October 2010 forced lenders to re-evaluate and revamp their foreclosure procedures, there has been a roller coaster pattern in REO activity in many local markets, including Chicago, Miami and Atlanta. Although the foreclosure processing delays triggered by robo-signing are stalling any quick and definitive real estate recovery, they have caused some side effects that may be positive for the overall housing market./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-a-big-factor-in-stocktons-pending-bankruptcy-7275A 6-1 vote by the city council of Stockton, Calif., Tuesday has cleared the way for the city to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection as early as today. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

A 6-1 vote by the city council of Stockton, Calif., Tuesday has cleared the way for the city to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection as early as today.

0Wed, 27 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTA 6-1 vote by the city council of Stockton, Calif., Tuesday has cleared the way for the city to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection as early as today. That would make it the largest city in the nation to ever do so. Given the city’s recent history of foreclosures alone, is anyone really surprised by this outcome?/content/news-and-opinion/the-best-places-to-live-in-20-years-7274I enjoyed the opportunity to write a guest column for Business Insider in which several real estate industry folks offered their opinions the best places in America to live in 20 years.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I enjoyed the opportunity to write a guest column for Business Insider in which several real estate industry folks offered their opinions the best places in America to live in 20 years.

0Wed, 27 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTI enjoyed the opportunity to write a guest column for Business Insider’s GREAT DEBATE feature, “Where Will Americans Be Living In 20 Years” in which several folks in the real estate industry offered their opinions on what part of the country would become a real estate hot spot over the next two decades. In an article titled “The Rustbelt Is Poised for A Comeback” I cast my vote for five cities in the Great Lakes region: Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit and Cleveland./content/news-and-opinion/is-real-estate-affordability-an-illusion-7272Reported affordability levels are sky-high and yet a new study says traditional affordability measures are wrong. Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

Reported affordability levels are sky-high and yet a new study says traditional affordability measures are wrong.

0Tue, 26 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith mortgage rates at their lowest levels in decades and home values down almost 18 percent from 2007 there shouldn't be much of a debate regarding real estate affordability. Reported affordability levels are sky-high and yet a new study says traditional affordability measures are wrong. This is a big deal because if homes are less affordable than believed it could explain why real estate sales are dragging — and rental rates are rising./content/news-and-opinion/eminent-domain-government-should-seize-home-mortgages-7271Robert J. Shiller, one of the Yale professors behind the Case-Shiller Index, penned a New York Times editorial this Sunday calling for “collective action” on the parts the government, banks and borrowers to fix the U.S. housing markets.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Robert J. Shiller, one of the Yale professors behind the Case-Shiller Index, penned a New York Times editorial this Sunday calling for “collective action” on the parts the government, banks and borrowers to fix the U.S. housing markets.

0Tue, 26 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTRobert J. Shiller, one of the Yale professors behind the Case-Shiller Index, penned a New York Times editorial this Sunday calling for “collective action” on the parts the government, banks and borrowers to fix the U.S. housing markets. Shiller suggested that local government use eminent domain laws to “take” mortgages from underwater borrowers, paying investors fair market value for them. /content/news-and-opinion/why-25000-massachusetts-foreclosure-buyers-are-breathing-easier-7270A ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court last week may offer peace of mind for nearly 25,000 foreclosure buyers in the state.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

A ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court last week may offer peace of mind for nearly 25,000 foreclosure buyers in the state.

0Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTA ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court last week may offer peace of mind for nearly 25,000 foreclosure buyers in the state. The court provided clarification on what paperwork and documentation lenders need to properly foreclose, but said its clarification does not apply retroactively. That should provide relief to the thousands of buyers who have purchased foreclosed homes over the past five years, reassuring them that those homes will not be taken back from them because of foreclosure processing documentation that does not meet the standards outlined by the court in its decision./content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-will-eclipse-reo-sales-in-las-vegas--7269For the first time since the foreclosure crisis struck Las Vegas five years ago, short sales are on track to eclipse bank-owned, foreclosure sales.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

For the first time since the foreclosure crisis struck Las Vegas five years ago, short sales are on track to eclipse bank-owned, foreclosure sales.

0Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor the first time since the foreclosure crisis struck Las Vegas five years ago, short sales are on track to eclipse bank-owned, foreclosure sales./content/news-and-opinion/what-do-i-get-with-a-realtytrac-subscription-7268Here is a list of some of the powerful (and dare I say fun) functionality available to RealtyTrac members that I covered during the most recent webinar.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Here is a list of some of the powerful (and dare I say fun) functionality available to RealtyTrac members that I covered during the most recent webinar.

0Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTOne of my favorite parts of the Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar I host each month is the live demo of the RealtyTrac website. I was able to get through the last website demo without too much of a hitch — besides the fact that I started the webinar too early. That’s another reason we record these webinars! Here is a list of some of the powerful (and dare I say fun) functionality available to RealtyTrac members that I covered during the most recent webinar. You can see this functionality in action on the recording of the webinar. The website demo starts at around the 20th minute./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-bailout-20-7267Isn’t America great? First, the feds bailed out the too-big-to-fail financial institutions on Wall Street. Today, Uncle Sam announced they’re bailing out the too-helpless-to-know-better borrowers on Main Street. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Isn’t America great? First, the feds bailed out the too-big-to-fail financial institutions on Wall Street. Today, Uncle Sam announced they’re bailing out the too-helpless-to-know-better borrowers on Main Street.

0Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTIsn’t America great? First, the feds bailed out the too-big-to-fail financial institutions on Wall Street. Today, Uncle Sam announced they’re bailing out the too-helpless-to-know-better borrowers on Main Street. /content/news-and-opinion/california-housing-recovery-in-2013-ucla-forecasts-7266Despite rising prices in some California markets and low interest rates, the state’s housing market won’t begin a meaningful recovery until the second half of 2013, according to a new UCLA forecast.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Despite rising prices in some California markets and low interest rates, the state’s housing market won’t begin a meaningful recovery until the second half of 2013, according to a new UCLA forecast.

0Thu, 21 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTDespite rising prices in some California markets and low interest rates, the state’s housing market won’t begin a meaningful recovery until the second half of 2013, according to a new UCLA forecast./content/news-and-opinion/reo-spillover-7265New bank repossessions nationwide in May 2012 were down 18 percent from May 2011, the 19th consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease. But the story was much different in some markets.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

New bank repossessions nationwide in May 2012 were down 18 percent from May 2011, the 19th consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease. But the story was much different in some markets.

0Thu, 21 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTNew bank repossessions (REOs) nationwide in May 2012 were down 18 percent from May 2011, the 19th consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease. Not coincidentally that 19-month trend began in November 2010, the month after the robo-signing controversy rocked the foreclosure industry with accusations of improper foreclosure procedures and paperwork. Several banks imposed temporary moratoriums on REO activity immediately following robo-signing, and although those moratoriums were eventually lifted, REO activity has never returned to the levels prior robo-signing — at least at the national level./content/news-and-opinion/octomoms-home-foreclosed-7264Following multiple postponed foreclosure auctions over the past three months, the La Habra, Calif., home where “Octomom” Nadya Suleman lives was foreclosed on yesterday.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Following multiple postponed foreclosure auctions over the past three months, the La Habra, Calif., home where “Octomom” Nadya Suleman lives was foreclosed on yesterday.

0Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTFollowing multiple postponed foreclosure auctions over the past three months, the La Habra, Calif., home where “Octomom” Nadya Suleman lives was foreclosed on yesterday. The property is now a bank-owned REO (real estate owned by the lender). The lender listed on the original Notice of Default that started the foreclosure process back in December was TRT Home Loans. Although it took about six months to complete the foreclosure process — including several auction postponements — that is actually well below the average time to foreclose in California of more than 10 months. /content/news-and-opinion/los-angeles-gives-mers-the-boot-7263Two years after the Los Angeles City Council approved a foreclosure registry to track distressed bank-owned properties, city officials passed stricter rules to help clean up neglected bank-owned homes in Southern California.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Two years after the Los Angeles City Council approved a foreclosure registry to track distressed bank-owned properties, city officials passed stricter rules to help clean up neglected bank-owned homes in Southern California.

0Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTTwo years after the Los Angeles City Council approved a foreclosure registry to track distressed bank-owned properties, city officials passed stricter rules to help clean up neglected bank-owned homes in Southern California./content/news-and-opinion/government-starts-investor-loan-modifications-7262Since 2008, the federal government says it has helped more than 1.1 million homeowners avoid foreclosure with a permanent loan modification. This is a big number but until now not a dime has gone to investors.Peter G. Miller, Contributing Writer

Since 2008, the federal government says it has helped more than 1.1 million homeowners avoid foreclosure with a permanent loan modification. This is a big number but until now not a dime has gone to investors.

0Tue, 19 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSince 2008, the federal government says it has helped more than 1.1 million homeowners avoid foreclosure with a permanent loan modification. This is a big number but until now not a dime has gone to investors./content/news-and-opinion/where-have-all-the-reos-gone-7261Bank-owned (REO) inventory has decreased about 40 percent over the past in the past year and a half and continues to decrease despite a recent uptick in foreclosure starts.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Bank-owned (REO) inventory has decreased about 40 percent over the past in the past year and a half and continues to decrease despite a recent uptick in foreclosure starts.

0Tue, 19 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTBank-owned (REO) inventory has decreased about 40 percent over the past in the past year and a half and continues to decrease despite a recent uptick in foreclosure starts. More than 109,000 U.S. properties started the foreclosure process in May, a 12 percent increase from the previous month and a 16 percent increase from May 2011 — the first annual increase in foreclosure starts since January 2010. Still, REO inventory continued to decline in May, down 5 percent from the previous month and down 31 percent from May 2011. So where have all the REO homes gone? They are hiding beneath one of three probable shells:/content/news-and-opinion/fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-new-bubble-machine-report-7260In 2004, if you asked the average Washington technocrat about the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you would probably have been told they are sound, essential components of the U.S. housing market that were independOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

In 2004, if you asked the average Washington technocrat about the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you would probably have been told they are sound, essential components of the U.S. housing market that were independ

0Mon, 18 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn 2004, if you asked the average Washington technocrat about the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you would probably have been told they are sound, essential components of the U.S. housing market that were independent of government. /content/news-and-opinion/more-foreigners-snap-up-us-properties--7259To many American home buyers, the U.S. housing market is a risky adventure. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

To many American home buyers, the U.S. housing market is a risky adventure.

0Mon, 18 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTTo many American home buyers, the U.S. housing market is a risky adventure. But for thousands of Asians, Canadians, Europeans and Latin American home buyers the U.S. real estate market is smart investment./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-starts-stage-turnaround-in-may-7258For the first time in 28 months, the number of foreclosure starts on a year-over-year basis were on the upswing nationwide in May, according to the latest report released by RealtyTrac. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

For the first time in 28 months, the number of foreclosure starts on a year-over-year basis were on the upswing nationwide in May, according to the latest report released by RealtyTrac.

0Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTFor the first time in 28 months, the number of foreclosure starts on a year-over-year basis were on the upswing nationwide in May, according to the latest report released by RealtyTrac. /content/news-and-opinion/reo-shrinkage-7257Lower REO activity over the past 18 months — even if that lower activity was caused somewhat artificially — has resulted in fewer REO sales and a 40 percent drop in REO inventory.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Lower REO activity over the past 18 months — even if that lower activity was caused somewhat artificially — has resulted in fewer REO sales and a 40 percent drop in REO inventory.

0Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTLower REO activity over the past 18 months — even if that lower activity was caused somewhat artificially — has resulted in fewer REO sales and a 40 percent drop in REO inventory. Monthly REO activity peaked in September 2010 at 102,134, dropped 9 percent in October, when the robo-signing controversy first came to light, and then plunged 28 percent in November 2010. REO activity on a national level has not yet bounced back to the levels seen before the fallout from robo-signing./content/news-and-opinion/disposing-of-distress-differently-7253We noticed some interesting numbers that clearly demonstrate how lenders are changing the way they dispose of distressed properties — moving away from bank repossession and toward short sales.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

We noticed some interesting numbers that clearly demonstrate how lenders are changing the way they dispose of distressed properties — moving away from bank repossession and toward short sales.

0Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTWe noticed some interesting numbers that clearly demonstrate how lenders are changing the way they dispose of distressed properties — moving away from bank repossession and toward short sales. From January 2007 through March 2012, lenders have started the foreclosure process on more than 8.5 million U.S. properties. Of those 8.5 million foreclosure starts, 5.9 million (68 percent) have been disposed of either via pre-foreclosure sale — typically a short sale or a sale at the public foreclosure auction —or by bank repossession (REO). Those REOs eventually are re-sold by lenders to try to recover any losses on the loan./content/news-and-opinion/april-settlement-brings-may-foreclosures-7252The most notable statistic in the RealtyTrac May 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report released today was the year-over-year increase in foreclosure starts following 27 months of annual declines.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

The most notable statistic in the RealtyTrac May 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report released today was the year-over-year increase in foreclosure starts following 27 months of annual declines.

0Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn my opinion the most notable statistic in the RealtyTrac May 2012 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report released today was the year-over-year increase in foreclosure starts following 27 months of annual declines. More than 109,000 properties nationwide started the foreclosure process during the month of May, a 12 percent increase from April and a 16 percent increase from May 2011. The last time foreclosure starts increased on an annual basis was January 2010, when they were up less than 1 percent from January 2009./content/news-and-opinion/lessons-learned-diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-7244My friend is probably right. I should probably buy five more units in this complex. However, last I saw there was only one unit for sale and it was going for about $40,000 more than I paid for mine.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

My friend is probably right. I should probably buy five more units in this complex. However, last I saw there was only one unit for sale and it was going for about $40,000 more than I paid for mine.

0Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTMy friend is probably right. I should probably buy five more units in this complex. However, last I saw there was only one unit for sale and it was going for about $40,000 more than I paid for mine./content/news-and-opinion/top-10-foreclosure-markets-for-first-time-homebuyers-7243Some real estate markets are better than others for first-time homebuyers looking for a foreclosure bargain. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Some real estate markets are better than others for first-time homebuyers looking for a foreclosure bargain.

0Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSome real estate markets are better than others for first-time homebuyers looking for a foreclosure bargain. But where are the best opportunities to buy discounted foreclosures? Which metropolitan areas offer homebuyers the biggest discounts? /content/news-and-opinion/fha-to-sell-distressed-mortgages-7242The FHA has a new plan to reduce foreclosures. The basic idea is to take properties in trouble and sell them off at discount to investors.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

The FHA has a new plan to reduce foreclosures. The basic idea is to take properties in trouble and sell them off at discount to investors.

0Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe FHA has a new plan to reduce foreclosures. The basic idea is to take properties in trouble and sell them off at discount to investors. The newly-minted Distressed Asset Stabilization Program is designed to address a difficult problem: What's the best way to handle distressed homes? The usual pattern has a servicer work with a borrower to see if a loan modification or short sale is possible. If these options fall through it's off to the auction block and the certainty of a bad result./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-wave-theory-7241In my quarterly column for the June issue of the venerable Scotsman Guide magazine, I had a chance to theorize on how lenders are dealing with large numbers of distressed loans still on their books.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In my quarterly column for the June issue of the venerable Scotsman Guide magazine, I had a chance to theorize on how lenders are dealing with large numbers of distressed loans still on their books.

0Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn my quarterly column for the June issue of the venerable Scotsman Guide magazine, I had a chance to theorize on how lenders are dealing with large numbers of distressed loans still on their books given the constantly shifting foreclosure processing landscape. Here’s how I set the stage: “Standard foreclosure procedures have broken under the weight of more than 8.5 million foreclosure starts and more than 4.2 million completed foreclosures since January 2007."/content/news-and-opinion/recourse-vs-non-recourse-loans-7240Some 12.8 million borrowers in the United States are underwater on their home loans, meaning they owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are worth. For many of these underwater borrowers it will be years before they see any equity in the prOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Some 12.8 million borrowers in the United States are underwater on their home loans, meaning they owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are worth. For many of these underwater borrowers it will be years before they see any equity in the pr

0Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSome 12.8 million borrowers in the United States are underwater on their home loans, meaning they owe more on their mortgage loan than their homes are worth. For many of these underwater borrowers it will be years before they see any equity in the property. /content/news-and-opinion/reo-inventory-ballooning-as-banks-hold-back-housing-7239In the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, real estate attorney, investor, author and trainer William Bronchick argues that banks are “hoarding foreclosure inventory” and overvaluing their real estate owned (REO) properties in an attempt tOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

In the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, real estate attorney, investor, author and trainer William Bronchick argues that banks are “hoarding foreclosure inventory” and overvaluing their real estate owned (REO) properties in an attempt t

0Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, real estate attorney, investor, author and trainer William Bronchick argues that banks are “hoarding foreclosure inventory” and overvaluing their real estate owned (REO) properties in an attempt to squeeze more money out of their distressed portfolios. Bronchick believes that the growing glut of REO is hurting real estate markets where inventory is tight. /content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-bill-has-unintended-consequences-part-ii-7237This is second post about Senate Bill 458, which became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borrowers, according to real estate experts.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

This is second post about Senate Bill 458, which became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borrowers, according to real estate experts.

0Fri, 08 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTThis is second post about Senate Bill 458, which became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borrowers, according to real estate experts./content/news-and-opinion/ca-foreclosure-bill-package-criticized-by-the-feds-7236Being one of the key contributors to the success of the $25 billion federal foreclosure settlement, California Attorney General Kamala Harris had to expect that trying to literally adopt the major components of the federal agreement and make them perJoel Cone, Staff Writer

Being one of the key contributors to the success of the $25 billion federal foreclosure settlement, California Attorney General Kamala Harris had to expect that trying to literally adopt the major components of the federal agreement and make them per

0Fri, 08 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTBeing one of the key contributors to the success of the $25 billion federal foreclosure settlement, California Attorney General Kamala Harris had to expect that trying to literally adopt the major components of the federal agreement and make them permanent fixtures in California law was going to face potentially harsh criticism. Plus, she wanted to expand the impact of the federal agreement to effect more than just the nation’s big 5 lenders but instead apply to all lenders and mortgages in the state./content/news-and-opinion/homeowner-bill-of-rights-winding-its-way-through-the-system-7235Probably no other legislative package is more politically charged right now than California Attorney General Kamala Harris’s California Homeowner Bill of Rights. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Probably no other legislative package is more politically charged right now than California Attorney General Kamala Harris’s California Homeowner Bill of Rights.

0Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTTalk about a political football in an election year; probably no other legislative package is more politically charged right now than California Attorney General Kamala Harris’s California Homeowner Bill of Rights, which she introduced February 29. /content/news-and-opinion/austin-foreclosures-left-in-the-dust-7234Austin foreclosures are quickly disappearing in the rear view mirror as the city’s real estate market accelerates — powered by a strong job market and reasonable home prices.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Austin foreclosures are quickly disappearing in the rear view mirror as the city’s real estate market accelerates — powered by a strong job market and reasonable home prices.

0Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhile foreclosures continue to drag down the Sacramento market, Austin foreclosures are quickly disappearing in the rear view mirror as the city’s real estate market accelerates — powered by a strong job market and reasonable home prices. Lower unemployment and job creation are stemming the tide of Austin foreclosures, and also helping to increase demand from move-up buyers, according to Harold McGee, a real estate agent for Nextage Captex Realty in Austin./content/news-and-opinion/democratic-districts-highest-in-foreclosure-rate-for-2011-7233Six out of the top 10 congressional districts with the highest foreclosure rates in the nation during 2011 were led by Democratic lawmakers.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Six out of the top 10 congressional districts with the highest foreclosure rates in the nation during 2011 were led by Democratic lawmakers.

0Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSix out of the top 10 congressional districts with the highest foreclosure rates in the nation during 2011 were led by Democratic lawmakers, according to data analyzed in March 2012 for RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report./content/news-and-opinion/fha-disputes-foreclosures-spike--7232The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is disputing a report that foreclosure starts on mortgage loans it insured from 2007 to 2009 saw huge spikes in April, skyrocketing 73 percent from March to April.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is disputing a report that foreclosure starts on mortgage loans it insured from 2007 to 2009 saw huge spikes in April, skyrocketing 73 percent from March to April.

0Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Federal Housing Administration(FHA) is disputing a report that foreclosure starts on mortgage loans it insured from 2007 to 2009 saw huge spikes in April, skyrocketing 73 percent from March to April. HUD is disputing data collected by Lenders Processing Services, or LPS, claiming 19,000 FHA foreclosures starts were documented in April — not the 63,000 that LPS reported./content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-bill-has-unintended-consequences-7231California homeowners who are considering a short sale on their underwater property thought they could rest easier after Senate Bill 458 became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borroweOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

California homeowners who are considering a short sale on their underwater property thought they could rest easier after Senate Bill 458 became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borrowe

0Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTCalifornia homeowners who are considering a short sale on their underwater property thought they could rest easier after Senate Bill 458 became law last summer, but loopholes in the law are creating unintended consequences for some distressed borrowers, according to real estate experts. According to short sale specialist David Dufresne, junior lien holders like Ally’s GMAC are misinterpreting SB 458 by only allowing the 1st or 2nd lien holder to contribute funds at the time of settlement, scuttling short sale deals and forcing distressed borrowers into foreclosure. /content/news-and-opinion/now-is-the-time-to-move-on-short-sales--7230Traditionally there have been Seven Wonders of the World, but perhaps it’s time to add an eighth: lenders have now begun to embrace the idea of pre-foreclosures short sales, which mean big discounts for homebuyers and investors who favor distressed pPeter Miller, Guest Columnist

Traditionally there have been Seven Wonders of the World, but perhaps it’s time to add an eighth: lenders have now begun to embrace the idea of pre-foreclosures short sales, which mean big discounts for homebuyers and investors who favor distressed p

0Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTTraditionally there have been Seven Wonders of the World, but perhaps it’s time to add an eighth: lenders have now begun to embrace the idea of pre-foreclosures short sales, which mean big discounts for homebuyers and investors who favor distressed properties./content/news-and-opinion/politicizing-foreclosures-or-democratizing-the-data-7229Last week, well before the dismal job numbers made the anemic recovery look even more sickly, the Obama campaign’s housing point man, Shaun Donovan, took credit for the precipitous decline in Nevada foreclosure filings.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Last week, well before the dismal job numbers made the anemic recovery look even more sickly, the Obama campaign’s housing point man, Shaun Donovan, took credit for the precipitous decline in Nevada foreclosure filings.

0Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTLast week, well before the dismal job numbers made the anemic recovery look even more sickly, the Obama campaign’s housing point man, Shaun Donovan, took credit for the precipitous decline in Nevada foreclosure filings. In an opinion piece published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary wrote:/content/news-and-opinion/republican-districts-post-high-foreclosure-activity-totals-in-2011-7228Analysis of foreclosure data conducted in March 2012 for RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report showed that eight out of 10 congressional districts with the highest total foreclosure activity in the nation during 2011 were represented by Republican lawJoel Cone, Staff Writer

Analysis of foreclosure data conducted in March 2012 for RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report showed that eight out of 10 congressional districts with the highest total foreclosure activity in the nation during 2011 were represented by Republican law

0Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTAnalysis of foreclosure data conducted in March 2012 for RealtyTrac’s Foreclosure News Report showed that eight out of 10 congressional districts with the highest total foreclosure activity in the nation during 2011 were represented by Republican lawmakers. /content/news-and-opinion/sacramento-foreclosures-down-but-still-a-drag--7227It’s clear the Sacramento market is rife with much risk. I’ll let two Sacramento-area agents — both members of the RealtyTrac Agent Network — explain why in their own words. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

It’s clear the Sacramento market is rife with much risk. I’ll let two Sacramento-area agents — both members of the RealtyTrac Agent Network — explain why in their own words.

0Mon, 04 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe real estate markets in Sacramento and Austin do have some similarities, at least on the surface. Foreclosure activity in both cities is trending lower. Sacramento foreclosure activity has decreased on a year-over-year basis for the past four months, and overall foreclosure activity in Austin has decreased on a year-over-year basis for the past eight months. But below the surface it’s clear the Sacramento market is rife with much more risk than the Austin market. I’ll let two Sacramento-area agents I interviewed for the story — both members of the RealtyTrac Agent Network — explain why in their own words. /content/news-and-opinion/video-3-foreclosure-deals-in-60-seconds-7226There are primarily three opportunities to buy foreclosure homes. I was challenged to see if I could cover all three in a 60-second video. Let's just say I rose to the challenge. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

There are primarily three opportunities to buy foreclosure homes. I was challenged to see if I could cover all three in a 60-second video. Let's just say I rose to the challenge.

0Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere are primarily three opportunities to buy foreclosure homes. All three of these foreclosure-buying opportunities can be found on RealtyTrac, and I was challenged to see if I could cover all three in a 60-second video. I rose to the challenge with the following video./content/news-and-opinion/reo-sales-rebounding-in-some-markets-7219Sales of bank-owned homes — also known as REOs — decreased nationwide in the first quarter of 2012, but rebounded in some markets where lenders may finally be selling off some of their shadow REO inventory.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Sales of bank-owned homes — also known as REOs — decreased nationwide in the first quarter of 2012, but rebounded in some markets where lenders may finally be selling off some of their shadow REO inventory.

0Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMTSales of bank-owned homes — also known as REOs — decreased nationwide in the first quarter of 2012, but rebounded in some markets where lenders may finally be selling off some of their shadow REO inventory. The RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report for the first quarter, released today, shows a total of 123,778 REO sales nationwide in the first quarter, a 15 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2011. This continues a gradual downward trend in sales of bank-owned properties since a peak of 187,622 REO sales in the second quarter of 2009./content/news-and-opinion/agents-gearing-up-for-more-short-sales-7220The number of short sales is growing, while the number of foreclosed, bank-owned REOs is dwindling. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The number of short sales is growing, while the number of foreclosed, bank-owned REOs is dwindling.

0Thu, 31 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe number of short sales is growing, while the number of foreclosed, bank-owned REOs is dwindling. And the volume of short sales nationwide could increase rapidly when new streamlined federal short sale rules are rolled out next month. Starting June 15, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will be required to give short sale buyers a final decision within 60 day. Moreover, the new guidelines also require Fannie and Freddie to respond to short sale offers within 30 days of receiving a buyer’s submission. /content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-hit-three-year-high-in-first-quarter-7218Sales of properties in the foreclosure process but not yet foreclosed — typically short sales — hit a record high nationwide in the first quarter of 2012.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Sales of properties in the foreclosure process but not yet foreclosed — typically short sales — hit a record high nationwide in the first quarter of 2012.

0Thu, 31 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTSales of properties in the foreclosure process but not yet foreclosed — typically short sales — hit a record high nationwide in the first quarter of 2012, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report released today. A total of 109,521 of these pre-foreclosure sales closed in the first quarter nationwide, a 16 percent increase from the previous quarter and a 25 percent increase from the first quarter of 2011. It was the highest quarterly total since the first quarter of 2009, when RealtyTrac shows 128,220 pre-foreclosure sales nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-push-home-price-index-to-post-crisis-low-7217The latest S&P/Case-Shiller (CSI) home price index for March and RealtyTrac’s foreclosure data show a clear correlation between rising foreclosure activity and home price declines. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The latest S&P/Case-Shiller (CSI) home price index for March and RealtyTrac’s foreclosure data show a clear correlation between rising foreclosure activity and home price declines.

0Wed, 30 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you look at the latest S&P/Case-Shiller (CSI) home price index for March and compare it with RealtyTrac’s foreclosure data you can see a clear correlation between rising foreclosure activity and home price declines. Nationally, the average sales price of a single family home fell 1.9 percent from a year ago to a new post housing crisis low, according to Case-Shiller. While some pundits claimed that the Case-Shiller numbers pointed to a bottoming out of the real estate market, the trend line I’m looking at is still going downward. Although the rate of decline has eased, prices are still decreasing./content/news-and-opinion/no-foreclosure-but-still-a-good-deal-diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-7216Last time we were already in escrow on the condo and counting down the days to Brian’s college graduation. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Last time we were already in escrow on the condo and counting down the days to Brian’s college graduation.

0Wed, 30 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTLast time we were already in escrow on the condo and counting down the days to Brian’s college graduation. Well, it’s a week and a half after his commencements now, our loan funded just yesterday and we recorded and closed escrow today. Such a deal!/content/news-and-opinion/are-bankers-manipulating-the-housing-market-7215The tentative housing recovery might be a mirage. Let me pull back the curtain and show you why the financial industry may be manipulating real estate data.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The tentative housing recovery might be a mirage. Let me pull back the curtain and show you why the financial industry may be manipulating real estate data.

0Tue, 29 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe tentative housing recovery might be a mirage. Let me pull back the curtain and show you why the financial industry may be manipulating real estate data. For the last few months of 2012, foreclosure activity has steadily decreased nationwide, according to monthly reports from RealtyTrac. But even with this slowdown in foreclosure activity, it appears there is still a bottleneck between when a property is foreclosed and when it’s listed for sale. Let’s take a look at a few markets to illustrate how this plays out./content/news-and-opinion/robo-signing-settlement-cash-disappears-into-state-treasuries-7214The $25 billion robo-signing settlement announced earlier this year has finally begun to bear fruit — at least for a number of states with budgetary problems.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

The $25 billion robo-signing settlement announced earlier this year has finally begun to bear fruit — at least for a number of states with budgetary problems.

0Tue, 29 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe $25 billion robo-signing settlement announced earlier this year has finally begun to bear fruit — at least for a number of states with budgetary problems. A new report released by the public-interest journalism site, ProPublica, shows that a total of $25 billion was obtained by attorneys general in 49 states and the District of Columbia (Oklahoma was not part of the settlement). Of the total, most was in the form of credits and modifications for borrowers but $2.5 billion in cash was given to the states and could be used as they wanted. That’s great news — but curious citizens might wonder how such money has been used to resolve the mortgage mess./content/news-and-opinion/should-we-combine-auctions-andamp-short-sales-7212Short sales are a big deal and to see why just look at the numbers: The National Association of Realtors reports that in March short sales represented 11 percent of all existing home sales and typically sold with a 16-percent discount.Peter G. Miller

Short sales are a big deal and to see why just look at the numbers: The National Association of Realtors reports that in March short sales represented 11 percent of all existing home sales and typically sold with a 16-percent discount.

0Fri, 25 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTShort sales are a big deal and to see why just look at the numbers: The National Association of Realtors reports that in March short sales represented 11 percent of all existing home sales and typically sold with a 16-percent discount./content/news-and-opinion/reos-short-circuited-by-short-sales-7210In New York last week, I got the chance to sit down with Fred Katayama of Reuters to discuss the foreclosure numbers, which show that bank repossessions (REOs) dropped to a 49-month low in April.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In New York last week, I got the chance to sit down with Fred Katayama of Reuters to discuss the foreclosure numbers, which show that bank repossessions (REOs) dropped to a 49-month low in April.

0Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTDuring a frenetic one-day New York media tour last week, I got the chance to sit down with Fred Katayama of Reuters to discuss the foreclosure numbers, which show that bank repossessions (REOs) dropped to a 49-month low in April. Banks seized a total of 51,415 U.S. properties during the month, down 7 percent from March and down 26 percent from April 2011. It was the lowest number of new REO homes reported since March 2008./content/news-and-opinion/best-lenders-and-servicers-to-buy-short-sales-from-7207Among the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers, some are better than others when it comes to buying a short sale.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Among the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers, some are better than others when it comes to buying a short sale.

0Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTAmong the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers, some are better than others when it comes to buying a short sale. There are several ways to measure which lenders are best to buy short sales from: sales volume, average discount and average time to sell. We’ll look at the top performing lenders in each of these categories based on January 2012 foreclosure sales data./content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-bill-approved-in-california--7211The California State Assembly has approved a bill that would prevent a lender or servicer from proceeding with a foreclosure on a home after approving a short sale in writing.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The California State Assembly has approved a bill that would prevent a lender or servicer from proceeding with a foreclosure on a home after approving a short sale in writing.

0Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe California State Assembly has approved a bill that would prevent a lender or servicer from proceeding with a foreclosure on a home after approving a short sale in writing./content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-priced-to-sell-more-quickly-7206It appears that lenders are finally realizing short sales will sell faster if they are priced correctly. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

It appears that lenders are finally realizing short sales will sell faster if they are priced correctly.

0Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt appears that lenders are finally realizing short sales will sell faster if they are priced correctly. The average price of a pre-foreclosure sale property nationwide was $184,221 in the fourth quarter of 2011, down 3.45 percent from the previous quarter and down 11.26 percent from the fourth quarter. While dropping prices are never a great trend in a housing market, they may be necessary in some markets to attract buyers. This trend in lower sales prices for short sales continued in January, when the average pre-foreclosure sales price was $174,120, down 4 percent from December and down 10 percent from January 2011. /content/news-and-opinion/looking-for-light-at-the-end-of-the-foreclosure-tunnel-7209Last week I got a chance to stop by the studios for The Daily Ticker show produced for Yahoo! Finance and talk to host Aaron Task about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure activity report from April.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Last week I got a chance to stop by the studios for The Daily Ticker show produced for Yahoo! Finance and talk to host Aaron Task about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure activity report from April.

0Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTAs part of a whirlwind one-day trip to New York last week I got a chance to stop by the studios for The Daily Ticker show produced for Yahoo! Finance and talk to host Aaron Task about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure activity report from April. The report shows foreclosure activity at the national level dropping to a 57-month low, 188,780 properties with foreclosure filings for the month. Task wanted to know if those low foreclosure numbers, along with positive news in housing starts and mortgage delinquencies, indicated that the housing market is finally starting to heal./content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-tsunami-possible-in-2012-7205Three increasingly large waves of potential short sales are rolling toward the shores of the U.S. housing market.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Three increasingly large waves of potential short sales are rolling toward the shores of the U.S. housing market.

0Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThree increasingly large waves of potential short sales are rolling toward the shores of the U.S. housing market. First are properties already in the foreclosure process but not yet foreclosed. These represent homeowners in distress who may be able to gracefully exit a tough situation via a short sale. There are more than 715,000 of these pre-foreclosure properties nationwide, according to RealtyTrac data./content/news-and-opinion/are-mortgage-write-downs-a-backdoor-bailout-for-bankers-7208Edward Demarco, acting Federal Housing Finance Agency director, sees the current push to force Fannie and Freddie to do principal reductions as a backdoor bailout for the nation's major banks. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Edward Demarco, acting Federal Housing Finance Agency director, sees the current push to force Fannie and Freddie to do principal reductions as a backdoor bailout for the nation's major banks.

0Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTEdward Demarco, acting Federal Housing Finance Agency director, said policy makers are pushing his agency to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce borrowers’ mortgage balance, deliberately shielding big banks from taking losses on distressed housing debt. He said it amounts to another stealth bank bailout. Demarco argues that such a move amounts to a transfer of U.S. taxpayer wealth to the biggest U.S. lenders, whose “second mortgages” are subordinate to the debt owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. To protect taxpayers from further exposure to Fannie and Freddie REOs, it’s better to allow foreclosed homes to become foreclosure listings and sold/content/news-and-opinion/a-shift-toward-short-sales-in-2012-7204In January 2012 there were more than 35,000 pre-foreclosure sales — typically short sales — nationwide, on pace for more than 105,000 pre-foreclosure sales for the first quarter.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In January 2012 there were more than 35,000 pre-foreclosure sales — typically short sales — nationwide, on pace for more than 105,000 pre-foreclosure sales for the first quarter.

0Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn January 2012 there were more than 35,000 pre-foreclosure sales — typically short sales — nationwide, on pace for more than 105,000 pre-foreclosure sales for the first quarter. If that trend holds, it would make first quarter short sales the highest quarterly total since the peak back in the first quarter of 2009. January pre-foreclosure sales were actually down slightly from a revised December number of more than 37,000, indicating that the shift toward short sales may have even begun late last year. But there’s no doubt the trend is higher from a year ago. January’s pre-foreclosure sales total is up 33 percent from January 2011, bigger in some states./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-for-sale-under-50000-7203I recently took a look at how many foreclosure properties —pre-foreclosures, scheduled auctions or REOs — were listed for sale on RealtyTrac for $50,000 or less.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

I recently took a look at how many foreclosure properties —pre-foreclosures, scheduled auctions or REOs — were listed for sale on RealtyTrac for $50,000 or less.

0Fri, 18 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTI recently took a look at how many foreclosure properties —pre-foreclosures, scheduled auctions or REOs — were listed for sale on RealtyTrac for $50,000 or less. I was somewhat surprised to find that more than 8,000 properties nationwide matched this criteria. Even more surprising that not all these properties were located in places like Detroit and Cleveland — although many of them were. I found that there were foreclosure properties listed for sale for $50,000 in 48 states, and many states had hundreds of such properties available. /content/news-and-opinion/will-short-sales-finally-save-the-housing-market-7197Short 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.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

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.

0Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTShort 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./content/news-and-opinion/banks-outbidding-investors-at-auction-in-some-recovering-markets-7196Real estate investors are being outbid by lenders at foreclosure auctions in some recovering housing marketsOctavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Real estate investors are being outbid by lenders at foreclosure auctions in some recovering housing markets

0Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTReal estate investors are being outbid by lenders at foreclosure auctions in some recovering housing markets. More lenders are buying back properties at auction and real estate investors are losing out in markets like Austin and Phoenix. Banks are outbidding third-party investors at foreclosure auctions in Austin, according to Harold McGee, with Nextage Captex Realty. McGee said investors are pulling money out of the bank and investing in residential real estate, especially foreclosures auction properties. /content/news-and-opinion/florida-case-goes-to-state-supreme-court-7195Read what the Florida Supreme Court hearing of the Florida foreclosure case, Pino v. Bank of New York Mellon, means for homeowners and banks.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Read what the Florida Supreme Court hearing of the Florida foreclosure case, Pino v. Bank of New York Mellon, means for homeowners and banks.

0Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on May 10 in a landmark mortgage foreclosure case that could have far-reaching consequences. The justices took up Pino v. Bank of New York Mellon, a Palm Beach County case in which drywall hanger Roman Pino accused his bank of fraudulently backdating documents used against him in foreclosure proceedings. The bank’s original lawyers were the law firm of David J. Stern, which has gone out of business for questionable foreclosure practices. /content/news-and-opinion/new-fed-rule-could-reduce-foreclosure-prices-7193The federal government has proposed new rules that would significantly limit mortgage loan origination fees and possibly result in reduced foreclosure prices. Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

The federal government has proposed new rules that would significantly limit mortgage loan origination fees and possibly result in reduced foreclosure prices.

0Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe federal government has proposed new rules that would significantly limit mortgage loan origination fees and possibly result in reduced foreclosure prices. Today when borrowers seek a new mortgage they typically pay a 1 percent origination fee at closing. If you borrow $100,000, then the fee is $1,000. If you borrow $200,000, the fee rises to $2,000. The origination fee is in addition to any "point" or "loan discount fee" charged by the lender to reduce the interest rate. /content/news-and-opinion/how-to-buy-foreclosed-homes-slideshow-7192About 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.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

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.

0Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTAbout once a month I have the pleasure of hosting a webinar for RealtyTrac users called Foreclosure Buying 101. The webinar also includes a demo of the RealtyTrac website. It’s primarily designed to help new RealtyTrac free trial subscribers learn about how to buy foreclosure homes and how to use our website, but I thought much of the information here would be of interest to a broader audience. Below is a slideshow of the PowerPoint that I used for the most webinar. You can also view a recording of the Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar or sign up for the next live webinar, on Tuesday, June 5./content/news-and-opinion/is-it-time-to-turn-foreclosures-into-rent-to-own-properties-7191If 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.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

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.

0Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf 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. First, we have the announcement by Freddie Mac that mortgage rates reached an historic low -- just 3.84 percent for 30-year, fixed-rate financing. For people who have been in real estate a long time this rate looks like a typo or maybe the interest paid for a savings account. It's just hard to believe. Second, Trulia reports that April rents were 5.6 percent higher than a year ago. That's a bright, positive sign for real estate investors./content/news-and-opinion/why-the-foreclosure-crisis-will-continue-7190Maybe one of the biggest foreclosure centers of all sits across the river from Manhattan.Peter G. Miller, Guest Columnist

Maybe one of the biggest foreclosure centers of all sits across the river from Manhattan.

0Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTWhen we think of short sales and distressed properties we usually think of major foreclosure centers such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, southern Florida and parts of California. But maybe we're looking in the wrong place. Maybe one of the biggest foreclosure centers of all sits across the river from Manhattan. According to Bloomberg News more than 27,000 Brooklyn properties received delinquency notices last year. That's a pretty impressive number but what's really remarkable is the actual number of foreclosures: Bloomberg reports just 34 foreclosures in the entire borough during 2011./content/news-and-opinion/4-steps-to-buying-a-bank-owned-reo-home-7188Here’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.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

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.

0Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure process allows for three different bargain-buying opportunities: when the property is in the pre-foreclosure period, typically a short sale; at the public foreclosure real estate auction; or when the property is bank-owned, also known as REO. 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./content/news-and-opinion/5-steps-to-buying-at-foreclosure-auction-7187Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing at the public foreclosure auction (NTS, NFS).Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing at the public foreclosure auction (NTS, NFS).

0Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure process allows for three different bargain-buying opportunities: when the property is in the pre-foreclosure period, typically a short sale; at the public foreclosure real estate auction; or when the property is bank owned, also known as REO. Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing at the public foreclosure auction (NTS, NFS)./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosed-homes-a-no-go-this-time-around-diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-7189While 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.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

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.

0Mon, 07 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTPicking up from last time, my wife and I — along with our son Brian — have been regularly talking to, and meeting with, our real estate agent to scope out various properties in Brian’s designated locations. /content/news-and-opinion/5-steps-to-buying-a-pre-foreclosure-short-sale-7186Here’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. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

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.

0Mon, 07 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure process allows for three different bargain-buying opportunities: when the property is in the pre-foreclosure period, typically a short sale; at the public foreclosure auction; or when the property is bank owned, also known as REO. Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you are interested in purchasing a pre-foreclosure (NOD, LIS) property. In the 2012 market, these properties are typically short sales because the homeowners owe more the property is worth. In separate articles we also cover how to buy at the foreclosure auction and how to buy bank owned homes./content/news-and-opinion/how-much-could-mortgage-write-downs-cost-us-taxpayers--7185With the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already costing tax payers (you and me) over $150 billion, the cost of the next Washington scheme to bail out delinquent borrowers could be even bigger.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

With the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already costing tax payers (you and me) over $150 billion, the cost of the next Washington scheme to bail out delinquent borrowers could be even bigger.

0Fri, 04 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTU.S. taxpayers could be on the hook for $128 billion in losses to pay for mortgage write-downs being proposed by Democrats in Washington, D.C., according to Reuters. With the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already costing tax payers (you and me) over $150 billion, the cost of the next Washington scheme to bail out delinquent borrowers could be staggering. Daniel Indiviglio at Reuters has produced a very useful interactive “Mortgage Write Down Calculator.” The calculator allows you to see how much mortgage write-downs could cost U.S. taxpayers. Slide the bars over to the right and you begin to see how shocking the losses could be./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-loan-modifications-helping-or-hurting-7184Pressure is mounting in Washington to allow loan modifications with principal balance write-downs to bail out struggling homebuyers who borrowed too much money during the housing boom.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Pressure is mounting in Washington to allow loan modifications with principal balance write-downs to bail out struggling homebuyers who borrowed too much money during the housing boom.

0Fri, 04 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTPressure is mounting in Washington to allow loan modifications with principal balance write-downs to bail out struggling homebuyers who borrowed too much money during the housing boom or took out a second mortgage to buy Hummers or take expensive vacations they couldn’t afford. For months, U.S. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., and John F. Tierney, D-Mass., have accused the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s acting director, Edward DeMarco, of obstructing efforts to forgive debts of underwater borrowers. In a 9-page letter written by Reps. Cummings and Tierney, they accused FHFA of shelving a pilot loan forgiveness program for ideological reasons./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-investing-a-young-investor-gets-started-7182Former loan officer Jessica Ko was between jobs and serving on her condo’s board when she attended her first real estate auction. After learning more about the foreclosure-buying process, she pounced.Teresa Meek, Guest Writer

Former loan officer Jessica Ko was between jobs and serving on her condo’s board when she attended her first real estate auction. After learning more about the foreclosure-buying process, she pounced.

0Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTFormer loan officer Jessica Ko was between jobs and serving on her condo’s board when she attended her first real estate auction. After learning more about the foreclosure-buying process, she pounced. She successfully bid on a rambler about a mile from her home, in an area that was both convenient and familiar to her. There was one wrinkle: the former owner was still living there. /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-home-auctions-giving-way-to-short-sales-7173If you're a lender and hold both the first and second liens then a very good reason to modify the first mortgage or accept a short sale to avoid a total loss on the second.Peter G. Miller

If you're a lender and hold both the first and second liens then a very good reason to modify the first mortgage or accept a short sale to avoid a total loss on the second.

0Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you're a lender and hold both the first and second liens then a very good reason to modify the first mortgage or accept a short sale to avoid a total loss on the second. /content/news-and-opinion/reo-properties-devoured-by-investors-7180Investors have been snapping up REO properties. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Investors have been snapping up REO properties.

0Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTInvestors have been snapping up REO properties. Investment homes sales soared a whopping 66 percent in 2011, with investors purchasing 1.23 million properties compared to 749,000 in 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2012 NAR Investment And Vacation Home Buyers Survey. Many of those purchases were REO properties. Key findings in the NAR study include:/content/news-and-opinion/3-ways-foreclosures-are-holding-home-prices-hostage-7179First quarter foreclosure activity hit its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2007, but foreclosures — and the threat of more foreclosed homes for sale — continue to hold home prices hostage.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

First quarter foreclosure activity hit its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2007, but foreclosures — and the threat of more foreclosed homes for sale — continue to hold home prices hostage.

0Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTFirst quarter foreclosure activity hit its lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2007, but foreclosures — and the threat of more foreclosed homes for sale — continue to hold home prices hostage. The latest home price report from S&P/Case-Shiller shows that home prices decreased on a monthly basis in February for the sixth straight month. That six-month slide in home prices followed a five-month incline from May 2011 through August 2011 — continuing a roller coaster pattern that started back in April 2009. In the months following April 2009 it may have appeared that home prices finally had hit bottom after a 33-month free-fall that began in late 2006./content/news-and-opinion/better-to-buy-bank-owned-or-short-sale-or-traditional-sale-diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-7177I have to find something soon — preferably a discounted bank-owned home for sale or short sale — if I want to be ready for my son to move in by the end of June when his lease at the fraternity house ends.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

I have to find something soon — preferably a discounted bank-owned home for sale or short sale — if I want to be ready for my son to move in by the end of June when his lease at the fraternity house ends.

0Tue, 01 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTAt this point I’ve pretty much established my team. I have a very reliable general contractor who I plan to use on future projects, I’ve established relationships with good reputable Realtors to help me find properties and tenants. My accountant has experience with investment property, and I have a number of good lawyers at my disposal. I have to find something soon — preferably a discounted bank-owned home for sale or short sale — if I want to be ready for my son to move in by the end of June when his lease at the fraternity house ends./content/news-and-opinion/banks-deliberately-withholding-bank-owned-homes-7176A string of recent upbeat stories are claiming that a housing “recovery” is underway. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

A string of recent upbeat stories are claiming that a housing “recovery” is underway.

0Tue, 01 May 2012 07:00:00 GMTA string of recent upbeat stories are claiming that a housing “recovery” is underway. I find these cheerleading stories worrisome because the fundamentals of residential real estate are still lousy. Not only are we nowhere near the bottom, but what I find most troublesome is that the market is being manipulated by the nation’s largest banks. I speak with real estate agents all across the country and every one of them says that banks are deliberately withholding bank-owned properties to drive up prices — they hope — and create the illusion of a market turnaround./content/news-and-opinion/a-tale-of-two-foreclosure-markets-7174Foreclosure trends were drastically different in the first quarter of 2012 depending on the local market. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

Foreclosure trends were drastically different in the first quarter of 2012 depending on the local market.

0Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure trends were drastically different in the first quarter of 2012 depending on the local market. In about half of the 212 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of more than 200,000, foreclosure activity increased from the previous quarter, according to the RealtyTrac Q1 2012 Metro Foreclosure Market Report. On the flip side, some of the markets that have borne the brunt of this foreclosure crisis posted sizable decreases in foreclosure activity from the previous quarter. /content/news-and-opinion/will-principal-write-offs-increase-foreclosure-discounts-7172There's a new plan floating around in Washington to end the foreclosure crisis. The thought is that we can keep more people in their homes if we reduce the size of their mortgage debt. Peter G. Miller

There's a new plan floating around in Washington to end the foreclosure crisis. The thought is that we can keep more people in their homes if we reduce the size of their mortgage debt.

0Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere's a new plan floating around in Washington, a way to end the foreclosure crisis or at least part of it. The thought of the day is that we can keep more people in their homes if we simply reduce the size of their mortgage debt. Principle forgiveness sounds pretty good. This is essentially the approach recently taken with Greece, a nation which agreed to repay its bills — but only after those debts were reduced by 53.5 percent. /content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-outpace-foreclosure-sales-in-many-markets-7171An important shift is occurring in the real estate market: Short sales are outnumbering foreclosure sales in many markets.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

An important shift is occurring in the real estate market: Short sales are outnumbering foreclosure sales in many markets.

0Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTAn important shift is occurring in the real estate market: Short sales are outnumbering foreclosure sales in many markets. In Q4 2011, there were 88,303 short sales, also known as pre-foreclosure sales, accounting for 10 percent of all sales during the fourth quarter, according to the latest RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report. Short sales increase 15 percent from year ago. Meanwhile, bank-owned (REO) sales decrease 12 percent from year ago. While third parties purchased a total of 115,777 REO homes in the fourth quarter, that share was down 10 percent from the previous quarter. /content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-process-rules-changed-by-gses-7170The first step to streamlining the way the government handles the short sale process was announced Tuesday in an official statement by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

The first step to streamlining the way the government handles the short sale process was announced Tuesday in an official statement by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

0Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe first step to streamlining the way the government handles the short sale process was announced Tuesday in an official statement by the Federal Housing Finance Agency which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac./content/news-and-opinion/10-best-places-to-buy-foreclosures-in-2012-coming-in-may-7150In the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we will feature the 10 best places to buy foreclosures this year.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

In the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we will feature the 10 best places to buy foreclosures this year.

0Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn the May 2012 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, we will feature the 10 best places to buy foreclosures this year./content/news-and-opinion/its-not-how-foreclosures-start-its-how-they-finish-7140In March, 22 states reported annual increases in foreclosure starts, while just 13 states reported annual increases in REOs. Many of the foreclosure starts will translate into completed foreclosures.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

In March, 22 states reported annual increases in foreclosure starts, while just 13 states reported annual increases in REOs. Many of the foreclosure starts will translate into completed foreclosures.

0Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTIn March, 22 states reported annual increases in foreclosure starts, while just 13 states reported annual increases in REOs. Many of the foreclosure starts will translate into completed foreclosures. those increases in REOs could be mitigated by more short sales, which short-circuit the foreclosure process by allowing the distressed homeowner to walk away from the mortgage debt they owe. This may be more appealing to lenders because of the increasingly complex and costly foreclosure process, and we are seeing indications that 2012 will be a record year for short sales./content/news-and-opinion/short-sales-near-the-stars-7139There are plenty of high end foreclosures happening across the country, with foreclosure activity on properties valued at more than $2 million up more than 700 percent from 2007 to 2011.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

There are plenty of high end foreclosures happening across the country, with foreclosure activity on properties valued at more than $2 million up more than 700 percent from 2007 to 2011.

0Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere are plenty of high end foreclosures happening across the country, with foreclosure activity on properties valued at more than $2 million up more than 700 percent from 2007 to 2011. I witnessed this trend toward high-end foreclosures when hosting a Foreclosure Buying 101 Webinar & RealtyTrac Website Demo earlier this month. For the website demo I decided to try a search in the ritzy Beverly Hills zip code of 90210. I was somewhat surprised to find scores of pre-foreclosures, scheduled auctions and bank-owned properties in the area, with more than a dozen of the pre-foreclosures listed for sale./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-bank-bailouts-and-the-next-foreclosure-wave--7138Perennially, expectations for housing’s recovery exceed reality, and this year is no different. By Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Perennially, expectations for housing’s recovery exceed reality, and this year is no different.

0Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTPerennially, expectations for housing’s recovery exceed reality, and this year is no different. With the release of new data every month, housing “experts” proclaim a rebound is in progress. /content/news-and-opinion/death-by-foreclosure-7136Last week, a Modesto, Calif., man facing foreclosure shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy and the locksmith who came to evict him from his condominium, according to the Associated Press. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Last week, a Modesto, Calif., man facing foreclosure shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy and the locksmith who came to evict him from his condominium, according to the Associated Press.

0Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTLast week, a Modesto, Calif., man facing foreclosure shot and killed a sheriff’s deputy and the locksmith who came to evict him from his condominium, according to the Associated Press. Responding to the shooting, Modesto police sent 100 police and SWAT snipers to counter-attack, unleashing a Waco-style assault on the condo complex that ended with the structure burned to the ground along with the shooter inside./content/news-and-opinion/diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-from-accidental-landlord-to-cash-flow-positive-7129I can actually say that I began my investment “career” as what’s commonly referred to in the industry as an “accidental landlord. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

I can actually say that I began my investment “career” as what’s commonly referred to in the industry as an “accidental landlord.

0Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTOver the years I’ve been at RealtyTrac my education in real estate investing has been vast and varied. From the professional investors I’ve interviewed, to the books I’ve read on the subject, I’ve learned that it’s one thing to decide to get into the game and completely another thing to actually become a player./content/news-and-opinion/why-the-unholy-trinity-of-housing-cant-fix-real-estate-7130Housing is still in the intensive care unit partially because it’s controlled largely by the U.S. government. When Washington gets involved in housing, the real estate market gets politicized. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Housing is still in the intensive care unit partially because it’s controlled largely by the U.S. government. When Washington gets involved in housing, the real estate market gets politicized.

0Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTHousing is still in the intensive care unit partially because it’s controlled largely by the U.S. government. When Washington gets involved in housing, the real estate market gets politicized. And when you politicize housing bad things can happen. Consider the Unholy Trinity of housing — Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). These bureaucracies may have caused more damage to the housing market with some of their misguided policies than all the usual suspects of the housing crash — Wall Street banks, financial regulators and subprime lenders./content/news-and-opinion/realtytrac-on-bloomberg-foreclosure-waves-coming-7124It was my pleasure to talk about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure report, for the first quarter of 2012, on Bloomberg TV's "Bottom Line with Mark Crumpton" yesterday. Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

It was my pleasure to talk about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure report, for the first quarter of 2012, on Bloomberg TV's "Bottom Line with Mark Crumpton" yesterday.

0Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt was my pleasure to talk about the latest RealtyTrac foreclosure report, for the first quarter of 2012, on Bloomberg TV's "Bottom Line with Mark Crumpton" yesterday. Crumpton asked some great questions that really got to the heart of what is happening with the nation's foreclosure trends. Namely, that although foreclosure activity hit a five-year low in the first quarter, another set of foreclosure waves is coming this year as lenders play catch-up with the delayed foreclosures from 2011. We're seeing evidence of those coming waves in gradually increasing foreclosure starts, up on a monthly basis for three straight months ending in March. /content/news-and-opinion/americas-largest-reo-foreclosure-landlord-7112Who’s the most powerful person in real estate right now? I'll give you a hint. This individual is America’s biggest landlord, controlling over 150,000 foreclosed homes. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Who’s the most powerful person in real estate right now? I'll give you a hint. This individual is America’s biggest landlord, controlling over 150,000 foreclosed homes.

0Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTWho’s the most powerful person in real estate right now? I’ll give you a hint. This individual is America’s biggest landlord, controlling over 150,000 foreclosed homes. Collectively, his vast real estate empire is worth approximately $300 billion dollars. He owns REO foreclosures in all 50 states. He even has homes for rent. And he has a gigantic army of people working for him, selling his foreclosure listings, repairing REOs and managing his foreclosed homes for sale. /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-discounts-why-banker-stress-tests-mean-more-savings-7119The banking system has begun to right itself and that's good news in terms of foreclosures, short sales and foreclosure listings, or REOSPeter G. Miller

The banking system has begun to right itself and that's good news in terms of foreclosures, short sales and foreclosure listings, or REOS

0Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe banking system has begun to right itself and that's good news in terms of foreclosures, short sales and foreclosure listings, or REOS/content/news-and-opinion/foreclosures-in-the-shadows-surprise-discounts-emerge-for-forclosed-homes-7117There's something new in the foreclosure marketplace, not just the "deep discounts" described by the National Association of Realtors.Peter G. Miller

There's something new in the foreclosure marketplace, not just the "deep discounts" described by the National Association of Realtors.

0Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere's something new in the foreclosure marketplace, not just the "deep discounts" described by the National Association of Realtors but submarine markdowns which test the limits of financial understanding, deals beneath the surface of the foreclosure system with discounts so large they're difficult to explain. /content/news-and-opinion/diary-of-a-rookie-real-estate-investor-time-to-get-into-the-game-7133With my background, you would have thought that I jumped into the real estate investing game a long time ago. Joel Cone, Staff Writer

With my background, you would have thought that I jumped into the real estate investing game a long time ago.

0Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTWith my background, you would have thought that I jumped into the real estate investing game a long time ago. I grew around the residential construction industry. Since college, I’ve been a California real estate licensee, a real estate appraiser for a major national lending institution (that has since bit the dust), and spent 20 years as a business journalist covering the residential real estate industry nationwide./content/news-and-opinion/10-percent-drop-in-foreclosure-sales-prices-expected-this-year-7116We may finally be seeing the fallout from the delays in the foreclosure process nationwide while the investigation into fraudulent foreclosure practices by some the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers commenced.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

We may finally be seeing the fallout from the delays in the foreclosure process nationwide while the investigation into fraudulent foreclosure practices by some the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers commenced.

0Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTWe may finally be seeing the fallout from the delays in the foreclosure process nationwide while the investigation into fraudulent foreclosure practices by some the nation’s largest lenders and mortgage servicers commenced. As Bloomberg is reporting, those delays may result in as much as a 10 percent additional decline in the sales prices of those foreclosed properties, many of which will be hitting the auction block some time this year./content/news-and-opinion/officials-move-on-to-the-smaller-fish-7115Now that Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Ally Financial and J.P. Morgan Chase have come to terms with federal and state officials over the $25 billion foreclosure settlement, those same officials are looking forward to catching some of the sJoel Cone

Now that Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Ally Financial and J.P. Morgan Chase have come to terms with federal and state officials over the $25 billion foreclosure settlement, those same officials are looking forward to catching some of the s

0Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTNow that Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Ally Financial and J.P. Morgan Chase have come to terms with federal and state officials over the $25 billion foreclosure settlement, those same officials are looking forward to catching some of the smaller fish involved in this ocean of deception and greed./content/news-and-opinion/few-borrowers-responding-to-possible-foreclosure-review-7114The invitations have gone out but few have stepped forward to reap the potential benefits. In the past year federal regulators have sent out millions of announcements to borrowers.By Joel Cone

The invitations have gone out but few have stepped forward to reap the potential benefits. In the past year federal regulators have sent out millions of announcements to borrowers.

0Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe invitations have gone out but few have stepped forward to reap the potential benefits. In the past year federal regulators have sent out millions of announcements to borrowers regarding their right to initiate a foreclosure review, but the responses have been insignificant to say the least — a mere 3 percent./content/news-and-opinion/more-cash-flush-chinese-buyers-attracted-to-us-market-7113They can’t own property in their homeland; they can only lease it from the government. The number of millionaires there is growing and they want to invest their money somewhere other than their own country.Joel Cone

They can’t own property in their homeland; they can only lease it from the government. The number of millionaires there is growing and they want to invest their money somewhere other than their own country.

0Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTThey can’t own property in their homeland; they can only lease it from the government. The number of millionaires there is growing and they want to invest their money somewhere other than their own country. So buyers from mainland China are looking to purchase U.S. real estate — both residential and commercial properties. /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-rentals-favor-investor-owners-7118Since the foreclosure meltdown began the basic policy for most lenders has been to keep foreclosed homes empty and available for resale as foreclosure listings. Peter G. Miller

Since the foreclosure meltdown began the basic policy for most lenders has been to keep foreclosed homes empty and available for resale as foreclosure listings.

0Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTSince the foreclosure meltdown began the basic policy for most lenders has been to keep foreclosed homes empty and available for resale as foreclosure listings. This strategy made sense when foreclosures were rare, discounts were small, and foreclosed homes could be sold with some speed. /content/news-and-opinion/refinance-rules-relaxed-7110Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently updated their automated underwriting systems to handle the government’s new refinance program for underwater borrowers,RealtyTrac Staff

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently updated their automated underwriting systems to handle the government’s new refinance program for underwater borrowers,

0Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTFannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently updated their automated underwriting systems to handle the government’s new refinance program for underwater borrowers under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), known as HARP 2. More than 12.5 million loans nationwide are seriously underwater, meaning they have a loan-to-value ratio of 125 percent or more, according to RealtyTrac. That represents 28 percent of all outstanding mortgages in the country. Underwater homeowners may be more likely to succumb to foreclosure if they are struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments, and may also be more likely to strategic default even if they can make the mortgage paymen/content/news-and-opinion/14-year-old-girl-buys-short-sale-in-florida-7109Unlike most teenagers, 14-year old Willow Tufano is a foreclosure landlord. She and her mother recently purchased a three-bedroom short sale in Port Charlotte, Fla., for $12,000.RealtyTrac Staff

Unlike most teenagers, 14-year old Willow Tufano is a foreclosure landlord. She and her mother recently purchased a three-bedroom short sale in Port Charlotte, Fla., for $12,000.

0Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMTUnlike most teenagers, 14-year old Willow Tufano is a foreclosure landlord. After Tufano earned $6,000 from selling items Craigslist, the budding investor asked her Realtor mother, Sharon Moore, if she could buy half of a three-bedroom short sale listed for $12,000. In Florida, minors can’t buy real estate until they are 18, so Tufano and her mother purchased the property together, according to National Public Radio. Willow earned the $6,000 by selling items she found in abandoned foreclosed homes, which she frequently toured with her mom. The three-bedroom, one-bath brick home in Port Charlotte, Fla., was worth about $100,000 at the top of the mark/content/news-and-opinion/octomoms-house-slated-for-foreclosure-auction--7107The foreclosure auction of “Octomom” Nadya Suleman’s La Habra, Calif., home was postponed today and rescheduled for April 30, 2012, according to RealtyTrac.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

The foreclosure auction of “Octomom” Nadya Suleman’s La Habra, Calif., home was postponed today and rescheduled for April 30, 2012, according to RealtyTrac.

0Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe foreclosure auction of “Octomom” Nadya Suleman’s La Habra, Calif., home was postponed today and rescheduled for April 30, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., at the Orange Civic Center in Chapman, Calif., according to RealtyTrac./content/news-and-opinion/short-sale-tax-tip-mortgage-forgiveness-taxable-in-2013-7106After a bank forgives your mortgage debt in a short sale, your tax problems may not be over.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

After a bank forgives your mortgage debt in a short sale, your tax problems may not be over.

0Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTAfter a bank forgives your mortgage debt in a short sale, your tax problems may not be over. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) views reduced or canceled debt as “income” and you may have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven. Since 2007, about 1.8 million U.S. homeowners have sold via pre-foreclosure sale, and most of those are short sales, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report. Another 12.5 million borrowers are “underwater” on their mortgages, at higher risk for so-called strategic default. /content/news-and-opinion/3-tips-for-buying-foreclosed-homes-7104Foreclosed homes offer certain benefits to potential buyers, giving them a chance to purchase a property at a price that is much below the market price of that property.Alex Brown

Foreclosed homes offer certain benefits to potential buyers, giving them a chance to purchase a property at a price that is much below the market price of that property.

0Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTForeclosed homes offer certain benefits to potential buyers, giving them a chance to purchase a property at a price that is much below the market price of that property. Before purchasing the property, you must carry out a cost-benefit analysis and the future cash flow from the property. It can be a time-consuming process to purchase foreclosed homes. You should have patience. Here are three simple tips for purchasing a foreclosed home./content/news-and-opinion/easing-mortgage-standards-7077It's gotten tougher and tougher to get a mortgage, at least that's the story we commonly hear. So is it time to relax loan standards so that more borrowers can enter the housing market? Peter G. Miller

It's gotten tougher and tougher to get a mortgage, at least that's the story we commonly hear. So is it time to relax loan standards so that more borrowers can enter the housing market?

0Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTIt's gotten tougher and tougher to get a mortgage, at least that's the story we commonly hear. So is it time to relax loan standards so that more borrowers can enter the housing market? /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-rentals-the-next-big-thing-7071The world of rental real estate may soon expand with the addition of two preposterously large investors, Fannie Mae and Freddie. Why they want to enter the rental game is very simple: an 8 percent cap rate. Peter G. Miller

The world of rental real estate may soon expand with the addition of two preposterously large investors, Fannie Mae and Freddie. Why they want to enter the rental game is very simple: an 8 percent cap rate.

0Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe world of rental real estate may soon expand with the addition of two preposterously large investors, Fannie Mae and Freddie. Why they want to enter the rental game is very simple: an 8 percent cap rate. /content/news-and-opinion/govt-backed-loan-mods-coming-for-investors-7067The Obama administration recently announced an expansion of its three-year-old HAMP loan modification program that includes opening the program up to non-owner occupants struggling to make mortgage payments. RealtyTrac Staff

The Obama administration recently announced an expansion of its three-year-old HAMP loan modification program that includes opening the program up to non-owner occupants struggling to make mortgage payments.

0Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe Obama administration recently announced an expansion of its three-year-old HAMP loan modification program that includes opening the program up to non-owner occupants struggling to make mortgage payments. /content/news-and-opinion/5-best-banks-to-buy-from-7031More than 600,000 bank-owned properties nationwide give buyers ample inventory to choose from. But not all bank-owned purchases are created equal; some banks sell more quickly and offer bigger discounts.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

More than 600,000 bank-owned properties nationwide give buyers ample inventory to choose from. But not all bank-owned purchases are created equal; some banks sell more quickly and offer bigger discounts.

0Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTMore than 600,000 bank-owned properties nationwide give buyers ample inventory to choose from. But not all bank-owned purchases are created equal; some banks sell more quickly and offer bigger discounts. To help buyers sort through this vast bank-owned REO maze, Foreclosure News Report has analyzed RealtyTrac foreclosure sales data from the fourth quarter of 2011, broken down by lender, to provide a list of the best banks to buy a foreclosure from. To come up with this list we started with lenders that sold more than 1,500 REOs during the quarter and then used a combined ranking of the lenders with the highest percentage savings and the shortest times to sell REOs/content/news-and-opinion/super-tuesday-through-the-filter-of-foreclosures-7064On the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses that could make or break candidates for the Republican nomination, here is a quick look at where the 10 states involved stand in terms of foreclosures.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

On the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses that could make or break candidates for the Republican nomination, here is a quick look at where the 10 states involved stand in terms of foreclosures.

0Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMTOn the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses that could make or break candidates for the Republican nomination, here is a quick look at where the 10 states involved stand in terms of foreclosures. Taken together these states had 291,290 properties with foreclosure filings in 2011, representing 15 percent of the national total of nearly 1.9 million properties with foreclosure filings during the year. The biggest share of that foreclosure total among the Super Tuesday states was in Georgia, where 110,273 properties had foreclosure filings in 2011. Georgia's foreclosure rate also ranked highest among the 10 states in 2011./content/news-and-opinion/two-to-condos-scheduled-for-foreclosure-sale-7058Former Dallas Cowboys football star Terrell Owens can catch footballs, but he may have dropped the ball on a pair of Texas real estate deals.Octavio Nuiry

Former Dallas Cowboys football star Terrell Owens can catch footballs, but he may have dropped the ball on a pair of Texas real estate deals.

0Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMTFormer Dallas Cowboys football star Terrell Owens can catch footballs, but he may have dropped the ball on a pair of Texas real estate deals./content/news-and-opinion/video-tip-search-foreclosures-by-lender-name--7032RealtyTrac’s cutting-edge lender search allows you to find foreclosure properties associated with a specific lender or mortgage servicer. RealtyTrac Staff

RealtyTrac’s cutting-edge lender search allows you to find foreclosure properties associated with a specific lender or mortgage servicer.

0Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac’s cutting-edge lender search allows you to find foreclosure properties associated with a specific lender or mortgage servicer. Simply type in a partial or full lender name in the Advanced Search to display only foreclosure records associated with that lender./content/news-and-opinion/slideshow-2012-foreclosure-market-outlook-7021This presentation outlines where foreclosures have been over the past five years -- 8.2 million foreclosure starts and 4 million completed foreclosures (REO) -- and what to expect in the next two years.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

This presentation outlines where foreclosures have been over the past five years -- 8.2 million foreclosure starts and 4 million completed foreclosures (REO) -- and what to expect in the next two years.

0Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMTThis presentation outlines where foreclosures have been over the past five years -- 8.2 million foreclosure starts and 4 million completed foreclosures (REO) -- and what to expect in the next two years. The presentation shows data supporting the notion that foreclosure activity is past its peak for this housing slump, but that there is more pain to come as lenders slowly work their way through delayed foreclosures and new foreclosures caused by a still-fragile economy over the next two years./content/news-and-opinion/moral-hazard-other-minefields-lurk-in-mortgage-settlement-7020A close look at the details of the settlement suggests that billions of dollars will flow back to selected borrowers — but not all borrowers. Here are big questions raised by the agreement.Peter G. Miller

A close look at the details of the settlement suggests that billions of dollars will flow back to selected borrowers — but not all borrowers. Here are big questions raised by the agreement.

0Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMTThe agreement says that at least $10 billion will go toward reducing the principal on loans for borrowers who are either delinquent or at imminent risk of default and owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Nothing in the agreement is likely to set off more arguments about fairness, unfairness and moral hazard than this provision. To understand why imagine that Smith and Jones buy matching homes on the same block and for the same price, $400,000. Smith buys with 20 percent down and makes all payments. Jones buys with 5 percent down, uses a no-doc loan application and finances with an option ARM so the size of his mortgage debt increases over time./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-settlement-helps-lift-foreclosure-millstone-dragging-down-housing-market-7019A long-awaited landmark multi-billion settlement to address foreclosure abuses by lenders announced today will help lift the foreclosure millstone that has been dragging down the housing market.Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

A long-awaited landmark multi-billion settlement to address foreclosure abuses by lenders announced today will help lift the foreclosure millstone that has been dragging down the housing market.

0Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:00:00 GMTA long-awaited landmark multi-billion settlement to address foreclosure abuses by lenders announced today will help lift the foreclosure millstone that has been dragging down the housing market. The settlement is not a silver bullet that will solve the foreclosure crisis, but it should help to clear the cloud of uncertainty that’s been hanging over the foreclosure process over the past 16 months, allowing lenders and servicers to more confidently move forward with delayed foreclosures when they have the proper documentation to do so./content/news-and-opinion/11-metros-with-50-foreclosure-discounts-7017If you’re looking to save big on a foreclosure purchase, you should consider buying in one of these 11 towns where foreclosure homes on average sold for at least a 50 percent discount in Q3 2011.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Vice President

If you’re looking to save big on a foreclosure purchase, you should consider buying in one of these 11 towns where foreclosure homes on average sold for at least a 50 percent discount in Q3 2011.

0Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMTIf you’re looking to save big on a foreclosure purchase, you should consider buying in one of these 11 towns where foreclosure homes on average sold for at least 50 percent less than homes not in foreclosure during the third quarter of 2011, according to the latest RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report. These steep foreclosure discounts are available in a wide range of markets, with a wide range of average home prices. At the high end are markets like San Francisco and Bridgeport, Conn., where the average price of a foreclosure was more than $300,000 — still 50 percent below the average price of homes not in foreclosure in those markets./content/news-and-opinion/the-road-to-flipping-1000-homes-7016I have always been a bit of a gambler and come from an entrepreneurial upbringing; a childhood friend in the mortgage business asked me to head down to a local foreclosure auction and meet Mike Baird. Doug Clark of Spike TV's "Flip Men"

I have always been a bit of a gambler and come from an entrepreneurial upbringing; a childhood friend in the mortgage business asked me to head down to a local foreclosure auction and meet Mike Baird.

0Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMTI have always been a bit of a gambler and come from an entrepreneurial upbringing; a childhood friend in the mortgage business asked me to head down to a local foreclosure auction and meet Mike Baird. I cautiously walked up the courthouse steps for the first time and inquired around for Mike so we could shake hands for the first time. I was not prepared for what I was about to witness; an ordinary and unassuming individual approached, proclaimed “buyer beware”, and start firing off addresses of properties impending sales at the auction. Where was the courtroom, the judge, a sheriff? /content/news-and-opinion/strategic-default-only-choice-for-some-6989Strategic defaults are on the rise, writes Jon Maddux, CEO of YouWalkAway in the December 2011 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, a monthly newsletter published by RealtyTrac. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Strategic defaults are on the rise, writes Jon Maddux, CEO of YouWalkAway in the December 2011 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, a monthly newsletter published by RealtyTrac.

0Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMTStrategic defaults are on the rise, writes Jon Maddux, CEO of YouWalkAway in the December 2011 issue of the Foreclosure News Report, a monthly newsletter published by RealtyTrac. In an article titled, “The Evolution of Strategic Default,” Maddux describes the evolution of strategic default since he founded YouWalkAway four years ago. “We saw the term ‘walk away’ become ‘strategic default’ and news headlines go from ‘deadbeat homeowners walk away’ to ‘credit savvy borrowers choose strategic default,’” he wrote. “Clearly there is a socio-economic shift in the way people are viewing foreclosure today. The stigma has been eroded.” /content/news-and-opinion/video-find-foreclosure-trends-in-your-neighborhood-6964RealtyTrac Stats & Trends allows you to see current and historical foreclosure activity displayed in colorful charts, graphs and heat maps for any state, county, city or ZIP code nationwide.RealtyTrac Staff

RealtyTrac Stats & Trends allows you to see current and historical foreclosure activity displayed in colorful charts, graphs and heat maps for any state, county, city or ZIP code nationwide.

0Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMTRealtyTrac Stats & Trends allows you to see current and historical foreclosure activity displayed in colorful charts, graphs and heat maps for any state, county, city or ZIP code nationwide. This quick video shows you how to access and navigate the RealtyTrac Stats & Trends Center to find information on foreclosure rates, historical foreclosure activity, property characteristics of foreclosures and foreclosure sales activity, including average foreclosure sales prices and discounts./content/news-and-opinion/exclusive-report-emerging-foreclosure-trends-for-2012-6963There was an abundance of good news on the foreclosure front in 2011 that might portend a rosy outlook for 2012. But the housing market has not completely escaped the clutches of the foreclosure crisis.Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac Director of Marketing Communications

There was an abundance of good news on the foreclosure front in 2011 that might portend a rosy outlook for 2012. But the housing market has not completely escaped the clutches of the foreclosure crisis.

0Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:00:00 GMTThere was an abundance of good news on the foreclosure front in 2011 that might portend a rosy outlook for 2012 — at least at first blush. U.S. foreclosure activity was down on an annual basis in every month during the year through November, according to RealtyTrac’s monthly foreclosure market reports. These annual decreases put the nation on pace to have fewer than 2 million properties with foreclosure filings for the year, down more than 30 percent from the nearly 2.9 million properties with foreclosure filings in 2010. See our year-end 2011 foreclosure report being issued Jan. 12./content/news-and-opinion/why-we-need-more-real-estate-investors-6971Investors did it. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, real estate investors had an outsized role in the collapse of the mortgage marketplace and the national economy. Peter G. Miller

Investors did it. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, real estate investors had an outsized role in the collapse of the mortgage marketplace and the national economy.

0Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTInvestors did it. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, real estate investors had an outsized role in the collapse of the mortgage marketplace and the national economy. The new report claims these investors defaulted in large numbers after the housing bubble burst and thereby contributed importantly to the intensity of the housing cycle’s downward leg. The reality is different. Without real estate investors a lot of people would be living in parks, home prices would be substantially lower and the national economy would be a whole lot smaller. Rather than fewer real estate investors we need more. Here's why. /content/news-and-opinion/will-washington-dump-foreclosure-prevention-efforts-6975It sure didn't take long to raise FHA loan limits. The lower limits went into effect October 1st but were gone by mid-November. Now you can get an FHA loan for as much as $729,750 instead of just $625,500Peter G. Miller

It sure didn't take long to raise FHA loan limits. The lower limits went into effect October 1st but were gone by mid-November. Now you can get an FHA loan for as much as $729,750 instead of just $625,500

0Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTIt sure didn't take long to raise FHA loan limits. The lower limits went into effect October 1st but were gone by mid-November. Now you can get an FHA loan for as much as $729,750 instead of just $625,500/content/news-and-opinion/will-the-occupy-wall-street-movement-impact-foreclosures-6974In the 1960s protests against the war in Vietnam and racial segregation were on the news almost every night, a tradition which is now back with the Occupy movement and Bank Transfer Day (November 5th). Peter G. Miller

In the 1960s protests against the war in Vietnam and racial segregation were on the news almost every night, a tradition which is now back with the Occupy movement and Bank Transfer Day (November 5th).

0Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTIn the 1960s protests against the war in Vietnam and racial segregation were on the news almost every night, a tradition which is now back with the Occupy movement and Bank Transfer Day (November 5th). /content/news-and-opinion/scheduled-foreclosure-auctions-at-9-month-high-as-new-foreclosure-wave-builds-6962Foreclosure filings were reported on 224,394 U.S. properties in November, a 3 percent decrease from the previous month and a 14 percent decrease from November 2010.RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 224,394 U.S. properties in November, a 3 percent decrease from the previous month and a 14 percent decrease from November 2010.

0Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 224,394 U.S. properties in November, a 3 percent decrease from the previous month and a 14 percent decrease from November 2010, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for November 2011. “Despite a seasonal slowdown similar to what we’ve seen in each of the past four years, November’s numbers suggest a new set of incoming foreclosure waves, many of which may roll into the market as REOs or short sales sometime early next year,” said James Saccacio, co-founder of RealtyTrac. /content/news-and-opinion/would-a-new-homestead-act-reduce-foreclosures-6978It was back in 1862 in the midst of the Civil War that the government passed the first Homestead Act, legislation that would give pioneers 160 acres if they settled west of the Mississippi. Peter G. Miller

It was back in 1862 in the midst of the Civil War that the government passed the first Homestead Act, legislation that would give pioneers 160 acres if they settled west of the Mississippi.

0Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTIt was back in 1862 in the midst of the Civil War that the government passed the first Homestead Act, legislation that would give pioneers 160 acres if they settled west of the Mississippi. /content/news-and-opinion/why-lenders-have-begun-to-accept--foreclosure-write-offs-6973The term "cramdown" used to be a dirty word in real estate, an expression meaning that a court would change loan terms — and not in a way that lenders liked. Peter G. Miller

The term "cramdown" used to be a dirty word in real estate, an expression meaning that a court would change loan terms — and not in a way that lenders liked.

0Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTThe term "cramdown" used to be a dirty word in real estate, an expression meaning that a court would change loan terms — and not in a way that lenders liked. /content/news-and-opinion/will-frivolous-lawsuits-doom-big-lenders-6977Just when you thought things could not possibly get worse a new worry is emerging on the housing front: Is the FHA going to demand billions in paybacks from weary lenders and servicers? Peter G. Miller

Just when you thought things could not possibly get worse a new worry is emerging on the housing front: Is the FHA going to demand billions in paybacks from weary lenders and servicers?

0Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTJust when you thought things could not possibly get worse a new worry is emerging on the housing front: Is the FHA going to demand billions in paybacks from weary lenders and servicers? /content/news-and-opinion/bank-deal-needed-to-solve-foreclosure-crisis-6972Scientists keep finding new celestial objects when searching through outer space, but the biggest black hole is fairly local, the much-hyped effort to resolve claims by 50 state attorney generals relating to mortgages, robo-signing and securities disPeter G. Miller

Scientists keep finding new celestial objects when searching through outer space, but the biggest black hole is fairly local, the much-hyped effort to resolve claims by 50 state attorney generals relating to mortgages, robo-signing and securities dis

0Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:00:00 GMTScientists keep finding new celestial objects when searching through outer space, but the biggest black hole is fairly local, the much-hyped effort to resolve claims by 50 state attorney generals relating to mortgages, robo-signing and securities disclosures./content/news-and-opinion/video-find-foreclosures-with-favorable-financing-6903This video demonstrates how to find government-owned foreclosures on RealtyTrac that often come with favorable financing terms for buyers -- both owner-occupants and investors.RealtyTrac Staff

This video demonstrates how to find government-owned foreclosures on RealtyTrac that often come with favorable financing terms for buyers -- both owner-occupants and investors.

0Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMTMany bank-owned foreclosures listed on RealtyTrac have favorable financing terms, including low down payments, lower credit score requirements, no mortgage insurance or appraisal requirements, and availability to both owner-occupants and investors. This video demonstrates how to find the government-owned foreclosures on RealtyTrac that often come with these favorable financing terms./content/news-and-opinion/four-foreclosure-financing-myths-6902Why bother to buy real estate when you can't get financing? Well, maybe tales of mortgage woes are exaggerated. Or, maybe they're not true at all. Peter G. Miller and Daren Blomquist

Why bother to buy real estate when you can't get financing? Well, maybe tales of mortgage woes are exaggerated. Or, maybe they're not true at all.

0Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMTThe word is out: it's harder to get a mortgage, maybe impossible. Lenders are clamping down, especially on foreclosure purchases. Just about everyone says so. Since this is a “fact” why bother to buy real estate when you can't get financing? Well, maybe not a fact. Maybe tales of mortgage woes are exaggerated. Or, maybe they're not true at all. Here are four commonly believed myths about securing financing in today's real estate market, especially when it comes to financing a foreclosure purchase./content/news-and-opinion/us-foreclosure-activity-hits-7-month-high-in-october-6896Foreclosure filings were reported on 230,678 U.S. properties in October, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 31 percent from October 2010.RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 230,678 U.S. properties in October, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 31 percent from October 2010.

0Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 230,678 U.S. properties in October, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 31 percent from October 2010, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for October 2011. The report also shows one in every 563 U.S. housing units with a foreclosure filing during the month. “The October foreclosure numbers continue to show strong signs that foreclosure activity is coming out of the rain delay we’ve been in for the past year as lenders corrected foreclosure paperwork and processing problems,” said James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. /content/news-and-opinion/slideshow-finding-andamp-buying-the-best-bank-owned-bargains-6895This slideshow from a webinar co-hosted by RealtyTrac and EXIT Realty, shows how to effectively find, research and purchase the best bank-owned bargains in your area. RealtyTrac Staff

This slideshow from a webinar co-hosted by RealtyTrac and EXIT Realty, shows how to effectively find, research and purchase the best bank-owned bargains in your area.

0Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMTThis slideshow from a webinar co-hosted by RealtyTrac and EXIT Realty, shows how to effectively find, research and purchase the best bank-owned bargains in your area. The slideshow covers the following: • Find listed and unlisted REOs in your neighborhood • Identify the best bargains and investments • Choose an effective and knowledgeable real estate professional • Make the best offers most likely to be accepted by the banks • Avoid common pitfalls in buying bank-owned/content/news-and-opinion/third-quarter-2011-top-state-foreclosure-timelines-6892The average foreclosure timeline in many states grew longer in the third quarter of 2011 as did the average time to sell foreclosures. Here are some of the states where it takes the longest to foreclose. RealtyTrac Staff

The average foreclosure timeline in many states grew longer in the third quarter of 2011 as did the average time to sell foreclosures. Here are some of the states where it takes the longest to foreclose.

0Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMTThe average foreclosure timeline in many states grew longer in the third quarter of 2011 as did the average time to sell foreclosures. Here are some of the states where it takes the longest to foreclose. /content/news-and-opinion/top-20-new-wave-foreclosure-markets-6891Here are the top 20 markets where banks are starting to push through a new wave of foreclosures to help clear a backlog of distressed properties.Daren Blomquist, Director of Marketing Communications

Here are the top 20 markets where banks are starting to push through a new wave of foreclosures to help clear a backlog of distressed properties.

0Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMTHere are the top 20 markets where banks are starting to push through a new wave of foreclosures to help clear a backlog of distressed properties./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-activity-on-slow-burn-6880Foreclosure filings were reported on 610,337 properties in the third quarter, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous quarter and a decrease of 34 percent from Q3 2010. RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 610,337 properties in the third quarter, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous quarter and a decrease of 34 percent from Q3 2010.

0Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 610,337 properties in the third quarter, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous quarter and a decrease of 34 percent from the third quarter of 2010, according to RealtyTrac. The report shows one in every 213 U.S. housing units with a foreclosure filing during the quarter. Foreclosure filings were reported on 214,855 U.S. properties in September, a 6 percent decrease from August and a 38 percent decrease from September 2010. September marked the 12th straight month where foreclosure activity decreased on a year-over-year basis./content/news-and-opinion/slideshow-why-isnt-real-estate-rebounding-6856RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio shows how the real estate recovery has been stalled by low consumer confidence, weak demand, government intervention, sloppy foreclosure practices shadow inventory.Jim Saccacio, RealtyTrac CEO

RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio shows how the real estate recovery has been stalled by low consumer confidence, weak demand, government intervention, sloppy foreclosure practices shadow inventory.

0Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMTIn this presentation given to the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio shows how the real estate recovery has been stalled by low consumer confidence, weak demand, government intervention, sloppy foreclosure practices and the infamous shadow inventory. The presentation digs into the true numbers behind the shadow inventory and proposes one simple solution from Saccacio to erase a big chunk of the shadow inventory without heavy-handed government intervention./content/news-and-opinion/video-search-tip-how-to-find-short-sale-deals-on-realtytrac-6855With more than 800,000 properties in the foreclosure process, matched against 1.5 million for-sale properties and aextensive loan and value information, RealtyTrac helps you find short sale bargains.RealtyTrac Staff

With more than 800,000 properties in the foreclosure process, matched against 1.5 million for-sale properties and aextensive loan and value information, RealtyTrac helps you find short sale bargains.

0Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMTWith more than 800,000 properties in the foreclosure process, matched against 1.5 million for-sale properties and extensive loan and value information, RealtyTrac can help you unlock the secrets savvy investors are using to find and purchase short sale bargains. /content/news-and-opinion/top-10-short-sale-markets-6854Residential short selling is rising rapidly in some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. This shift means bigger discounts and shorter days to sell in some local markets. Octavio Nuiry, Staff Writer

Residential short selling is rising rapidly in some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. This shift means bigger discounts and shorter days to sell in some local markets.

0Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMTResidential short selling is rising rapidly in some of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. Banks are finally approving more short sales to jettison sketchy mortgage loans off their balance sheets – while avoiding the cost of selling bank-owned properties. This shift means bigger discounts and shorter days to sell in some local markets. /content/news-and-opinion/real-estate-investing-why-cash-flow-is-now-king-6853Unlike real estate's go-go days where the goal was to buy with as little down as possible, buyer thinking today has been reversed. Nearly 30 percent of all homes sold in July were bought for cash. Peter G. Miller

Unlike real estate's go-go days where the goal was to buy with as little down as possible, buyer thinking today has been reversed. Nearly 30 percent of all homes sold in July were bought for cash.

0Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMTAugust was a busy month for Standard and Poors. The huge ratings agency downgraded the debt of the United States, the first such decline in modern history. Less noticed was another pronouncement from the S&P: The shadow inventory of distressed homes is getting smaller. “It's good news that things are starting to slow down and we're getting closer to the end of the problem,” said Diane Westerback, S&P's Managing Director of Global Surveillance Analytics. Speaking to CNN, Westerback added that “it could mean a gradual recovery for the market.” Can this be true? Has the housing market finally reached bottom? /content/news-and-opinion/us-foreclosure-activity-increases-7-percent-in-august-defaults-surge-33-percent-6836Foreclosure filings were reported on 228,098 U.S. properties in August, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 33 percent from August 2010. RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 228,098 U.S. properties in August, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 33 percent from August 2010.

0Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 228,098 U.S. properties in August, a 7 percent increase from the previous month, but still down nearly 33 percent from August 2010, according to the RealtyTrac August 2011 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The report also shows one in every 570 U.S. housing units with a foreclosure filing during the month. Default notices (NOD, LIS) were filed for the first time on a total of 78,880 U.S. properties in August, a nine-month high and a 33 percent increase from July — the biggest month-over-month increase since August 2007. /content/news-and-opinion/new-map-search-interface-6814We’ve updated our mapping feature to help you see and track for-sale properties, foreclosure properties and recently sold properties more quickly and easily. RealtyTrac Staff

We’ve updated our mapping feature to help you see and track for-sale properties, foreclosure properties and recently sold properties more quickly and easily.

0Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMTWe’ve updated our mapping feature to help you see and track for-sale properties, foreclosure properties and recently sold properties more quickly and easily. /content/news-and-opinion/top-10-college-towns-for-buying-foreclosures-6813It’s the time of year when proud parents are sending their kids off to college. What better time to consider the best college towns for investing in foreclosures?Joel Cone, Staff Writer

It’s the time of year when proud parents are sending their kids off to college. What better time to consider the best college towns for investing in foreclosures?

0Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMTIt’s the time of year when proud parents are sending their kids off to college while booster clubs are revving up for the impending college football season. What better time to consider the best college towns for investing in foreclosures? Thanks to foreclosure sales data compiled by Foreclosure News Report for the first half of 2011, we have put together a Top 10 list of college towns for buying foreclosures. The primary criteria for these Top 10 were the average discount on a foreclosure purchase /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-activity-falls-to-44-month-low-in-july-6755Foreclosure filings were reported on 212,764 U.S. properties in July, a 4 percent decrease from June and a 35 percent decrease from July 2010. July's total was a 44-month low for foreclosure activity.RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 212,764 U.S. properties in July, a 4 percent decrease from June and a 35 percent decrease from July 2010. July's total was a 44-month low for foreclosure activity.

0Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 212,764 U.S. properties in July, a 4 percent decrease from June and a 35 percent decrease from July 2010. July's total was a 44-month low for foreclosure activity. “July foreclosure activity dropped 35 percent from a year ago, marking the 10th straight month of year-over-year decreases in foreclosure activity and the lowest monthly total since November 2007,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “Unfortunately, the falloff in foreclosures is not based on a robust recovery in the housing market but on short-term interventions and delays that will extend the current housing market woes into 2012 and bey"/content/news-and-opinion/august-2011-reader-poll-where-would-you-invest-20000-6729We want to know how you would invest $20,000 given the uncertain real estate market and economy: in stocks, real estate, precious metals or a certificate of deposit? RealtyTrac Staff

We want to know how you would invest $20,000 given the uncertain real estate market and economy: in stocks, real estate, precious metals or a certificate of deposit?

0Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMTWe want to know how you would invest $20,000 given the uncertain real estate market and economy: in stocks, real estate, precious metals or a certificate of deposit? /content/news-and-opinion/should-you-dump-real-estate-and-buy-stock-6728Oh no, it's back, the eternal question of which is a better investment, stock or real estate? In response to an article from The Wall Street Journal entitled "A Home is a Lousy Investment."Peter G. Miller

Oh no, it's back, the eternal question of which is a better investment, stock or real estate? In response to an article from The Wall Street Journal entitled "A Home is a Lousy Investment."

0Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMTWriting in the Wall Street Journal, Robert Bridges tells us that “a dollar used to purchase a median-price, single-family California home in 1980 would have grown to $5.63 in 2007, and to $2.98 in 2010. The same dollar invested in the Dow Jones Industrial Index would have been worth $14.41 in 2007, and $11.49 in 2010.” Bridges makes a carefully constructed comparison which includes 2007, the top of the real estate market. Surely the comparison would have been far more interesting if it looked at stock values and compared Oct. 12, 2007 with March 6, 2009. /content/news-and-opinion/how-to-buy-foreclosures-at-auction-slideshow-6726Comprehensive overview of how to buy foreclosure properties at auction, presented by RealtyTrac Senior Vice President Rick Sharga and Auction.com Senior Vice President David Lee.RealtyTrac Staff

Comprehensive overview of how to buy foreclosure properties at auction, presented by RealtyTrac Senior Vice President Rick Sharga and Auction.com Senior Vice President David Lee.

0Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMTThis comprehensive overview of how to buy foreclosure properties at auction is presented by RealtyTrac Senior Vice President Rick Sharga and Auction.com Senior Vice President David Lee. Sharga and Lee cover how to buy foreclosures at the trustee's sale or sheriff's sale on the courthouse steps, at a ballroom-style auction of hundreds of bank-owned properties, and even via online auction./content/news-and-opinion/raise-your-hand-if-youre-sure-that-property-was-foreclosed-6727You can think of it as a financial mulligan, a re-casting of foreclosures which were thought to be over and done but now, er, maybe not. Peter G. Miller

You can think of it as a financial mulligan, a re-casting of foreclosures which were thought to be over and done but now, er, maybe not.

0Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMTSince at least 2007, foreclosure defense lawyers and a growing number of judges have pointed out that when it comes to taking a home everyone must play by the rules. At the very least those rules include clear ownership of the loan by the lender and a documented failure to make payments by the borrower. The foreclosure process in many states has now been slowed by the dawning realization that sworn affidavits used by lenders to support claims of non-payment have been improperly prepared, meaning they could be wrong./content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-activity-off-29-percent-for-first-half-of-2011-6681A total of 1,170,402 U.S. properties received foreclosure filings in the first half of 2011, a 25 percent decrease from the previous six months and a 29 percent decrease from the first half of 2010. RealtyTrac Staff

A total of 1,170,402 U.S. properties received foreclosure filings in the first half of 2011, a 25 percent decrease from the previous six months and a 29 percent decrease from the first half of 2010.

0Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMTA total of 1,170,402 U.S. properties received foreclosure filings in the first half of 2011, a 25 percent decrease from the previous six months and a 29 percent decrease from the first half of 2010, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. “It would be nice to report that foreclosure activity is dropping as a result of improvements in the economy or the housing market,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “Unfortunately, with unemployment rates inching back up, consumer confidence weak and home sales and prices continuing to languish, this doesn’t appear to be the case./content/news-and-opinion/bank-owned-buyer-survival-skills-outwit-outlast-underbid-6671Three expert REO buyers from three different parts of the country share their strategies and secrets for successfully finding and buying bank-owned bargains — whether listed or not listed.Joel Cone, Staff Writer

Three expert REO buyers from three different parts of the country share their strategies and secrets for successfully finding and buying bank-owned bargains — whether listed or not listed.

0Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMTAs a real estate investor specializing in low-end condominiums in Orange County, Calif., Lin He knows the value of doing his homework and relationship building. They are the two key factors that have given him a jump on his competition when it comes to buying bank-owned properties — either before or right after they are listed on the local multiple listing service. “Buying pre-listing REOs definitely is a viable strategy. In fact, it's my major property acquisition strategy for me,” said He. “It takes time to develop a relationship with the REO agents. They need to be able to trust that you’ll perform.”/content/news-and-opinion/the-disappearing-little-down-mortgages-magic-trick-6668Will 30-year mortgages with little down soon be a pleasant memory, something older folks will recall along with floppy disks and disco balls? Peter G. Miller

Will 30-year mortgages with little down soon be a pleasant memory, something older folks will recall along with floppy disks and disco balls?

0Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMTWill 30-year mortgages with little down soon be a pleasant memory, something older folks will recall along with floppy disks and disco balls? “Many housing proponents say that it will,” reports Lew Sichelman, writing in the Los Angeles Times. “Without the government's backing, they contend that the 30-year mortgage will become a relic of a bygone era when mortgage money was cheap and easy to come by. But others say America's most popular home loan will still be available — if you can afford it.” But is the choice really no 30-year mortgage or super-expensive long-term financing? And if 30-year loans vanish, what will happen to the real estate marketplace? /content/news-and-opinion/foreclosure-activity-continues-free-fall-in-may-6651Foreclosure filings were reported on 214,927 U.S. properties in May, a 2 percent decrease from April and a 33 percent decrease from May 2010. One in every 605 housing units received a foreclosure filing.RealtyTrac Staff

Foreclosure filings were reported on 214,927 U.S. properties in May, a 2 percent decrease from April and a 33 percent decrease from May 2010. One in every 605 housing units received a foreclosure filing.

0Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMTForeclosure filings were reported on 214,927 U.S. properties in May, a 2 percent decrease from April and a 33 percent decrease from May 2010, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for May. One in every 605 housing units received a foreclosure filing during the month. “Foreclosure processing delays continue to mask the true face of the foreclosure situation, although there were some clues in the May numbers of what lies behind that mask,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. /content/news-and-opinion/how-much-better-are-banks-really-doing-6669The banking industry has big profits, according to the latest report from the FDIC, which shows the return on assets increased and banks no longer set aside so much money for losses. Peter G. Miller

The banking industry has big profits, according to the latest report from the FDIC, which shows the return on assets increased and banks no longer set aside so much money for losses.

0Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:00:00 GMTThe banking industry has profits — big profits, according to the latest report from the FDIC. Not only were profits up in the first quarter, the return on assets increased and banks no longer set aside so much money for losses. What's remarkable about this information is that at the very same time such strong results were being reported, the government also said bank revenues had declined, loan balances were down and institutions on the FDIC's “problem list” reached the highest number since 1993.