U.S. Housing Market News and Resource

HousingWire

• Florida home prices dip, but key metrics on the mend February 22, 2012
  Florida home prices and sales dipped in January from the previous month but showed some positive movement over year-ago figures, according to a statewide real estate association. read more […]
• MERS wins dismissal of county recording fee case February 22, 2012
  County clerks lack standing to sue Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems for recording fees on mortgage assignments, the U.S. Court for the Western District of Kentucky said.    read more […]
• Wells Fargo pays employee incentives for mortgage workouts February 22, 2012
  Wells Fargo installed an incentive program that pays its single-point-of-contact employees more if they reach some sort of workout in lieu of foreclosure. read more […]
• New homebuilders claim marketing edge over foreclosures February 22, 2012
  Foreclosures are giving homebuilders a run for their money when it comes to pricing, but builders still maintain a marketing edge by promising affordable, new homes equipped with the latest technology. read more […]
• Tozer: Ginnie Mae backs nearly all FHA, VA mortgages February 22, 2012
  The head of Ginnie Mae said the company increased its role in the mortgage market since the housing bust, backing virtually every new loan guaranteed or insured by major federal housing authorities. read more […]
• Freddie follows Fannie with cautiously optimistic housing report February 22, 2012
  Freddie Mac, much like Fannie Mae, is cautiously optimistic about the fate of the 2012 housing market with job prospects looking more favorable and interest rates remaining at all-time lows. read more […]
• FHA to announce premium changes soon February 22, 2012
  The Federal Housing Administration will announce additional premium changes to both its forward mortgage business and its streamlined refinance programs in the coming days. read more […]
• Existing home sales jump 4.3% in January, inventory level dips February 22, 2012
  Existing home sales on all single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops rose 4.3% in January, making it the third sales increase in the past four months, the National Association of Realtors said.  read more […]
• United Guaranty gets new CEO after Martinez promotion February 22, 2012
  United Guaranty, the mortgage insurance unit of American International Group is feeling the impact of executive restructuring, with the firm naming United Guaranty CEO Eric Martinez leader of a new AIG unit. read more […]
• Apartment vacancies in Colorado drop, rental rates rise February 22, 2012
  The apartment vacancy rate in Colorado fell to 5.6% in the fourth quarter from 5.8% a year earlier, suggesting more residents are turning into long-term renters as opposed to homebuyers. read more […]