Category Archives: Fresh Perspectives

The real estate economy is complex, with many differing angles and opinions.

5 Things You Need To Know: Option-Arm Debt Forgiveness

Option-Arm mortgages were some of the most dangerous loans made during the housing frenzy. Now, some of these speculative, risky buyers are being rewarded with principal reductions.
Continue reading

Posted in Economic News, Fresh Perspectives, Real Estate Data, The Daily Hotsheet | Tagged Foreclosures, Negative Amortization, Option-Arm Loans, Principal Reduction, Strategic Defaults | 10 Comments

Pending conforming loan limit decrease will make California houses more affordable

For those that dismiss this upcoming drop in the conforming limit as meaningless, why has the California Association of realtors raised the alarms and come out opposing this change? i think we all know the answer to that one.
Continue reading

Posted in Fresh Perspectives, Mortgage News | Tagged california, CAR, Conforming Loan Limit, Fannie Mae, FHA, Freddie Mac, GSEs, Home Prices | Leave a comment

The Contagion Risk of Europe

About the only thing there was seeming consensus on in Europe was that Greece will eventually default. The question is when. European leaders, along with the IMF, have caved and will give Greece €12 billion to tide them over while they debate on finding €70-100 sometime late next month. Continue reading

Posted in Economic News, Fresh Perspectives | Tagged Greece, The Euro, The Fed | Leave a comment

3 Things You Need to Know About the Changing Conforming Loan Limit

On October 1st, the conforming loan limit for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHA will drop from $729,950 to $625,500. This will absolutely impact home prices, especially in high-priced states like California, rewarding patient buyers with more affordable homes. Continue reading

Posted in Economic News, Fresh Perspectives, Mortgage News, The Daily Hotsheet | Tagged CAR, Conforming Loan Limit, Fannie Mae, FHA, Freddie Mac, GSEs, NAHB | Leave a comment

Home Prices Best in 25 Years, Better Prices Still Coming

Here are some charts showing nominal and real (CPI inflation-adjusted) housing declines in 20 Case-Shiller metro areas. Charts are grouped by 10 least expensive and 10 most expensive areas. Additional tables show housing declines from the peak. An explanation follows the charts. Continue reading

Posted in Fresh Perspectives, Home Economics, Real Estate Data | Tagged Case-Shiller, Home Prices | 1 Comment