FeedRE

Buying & Selling

UPDATE: US Household Net Worth Rises Third Straight Quarter

Increasing the minimum down payment required for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan from 3.5 percent to 5 percent could be a double whammy, affecting both potential homebuyers and the economy as a whole according to David H. Stevens, FHA Commissioner. At the same time, a lower loan to value ratio (LTV) by itself is not a particularly good indicator of buyer risk. In a statement prepared for a hearing Thursday afternoon by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, the Commissioner said if the agency raised the minimum down payment to 5 percent "as some have suggested," it would adversely impact the housing market recovery. The agency has conducted an evaluation of the loan files of a large sample of recent loans to identify homeowners…(read more)

Commercial Real Estate

UPDATE: US Household Net Worth Rises Third Straight Quarter

Pulte To Buy Back Damaged Texas Homes

Development

UPDATE: US Household Net Worth Rises Third Straight Quarter

Pulte To Buy Back Damaged Texas Homes

Foreclosure

Home Sale Hindsight

read more

Why some lenders choose principal reduction over foreclosure

read more

Green House

Home and Garden

Rookie mistakes and a cruel growing season had some new gardeners wanting to throw in the trowel. But experienced gardeners say early spring is the perfect time to correct last year’s problems.

Entrepreneur-biologist J. Craig Venter has renovated a 5,000 square-foot home in La Jolla with plenty of room for his “toys and joys.”

Mortgage

Increasing the minimum down payment required for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan from 3.5 percent to 5 percent could be a double whammy, affecting both potential homebuyers and the economy as a whole according to David H. Stevens, FHA Commissioner. At the same time, a lower loan to value ratio (LTV) by itself is not a particularly good indicator of buyer risk. In a statement prepared for a hearing Thursday afternoon by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, the Commissioner said if the agency raised the minimum down payment to 5 percent "as some have suggested," it would adversely impact the housing market recovery. The agency has conducted an evaluation of the loan files of a large sample of recent loans to identify homeowners…(read more)

Speculation that China may have to tighten its economic policy is pulling investor sentiment lower this morning. Amid positive data on industrial production and retail sales, Chinese CPI climbed 2.7% in February, indicating that the central bank may have to take a more serious approach to slow down spending. “China is aiming for 3% inflation for all of 2010,” said Benjamin Reitzes from BMO. “Continued acceleration would make that target tough to hit and markets are concerned that this latest jump in inflation could cause Chinese officials to tighten policy further.” Reitzes called the CPI figure “somewhat troubling,” adding that it’s too early to a definitive statement that prices are about to take off. “However, with the economic numbers showing…(read more)

Real Estate News

UPDATE: US Household Net Worth Rises Third Straight Quarter

Realtor Notebook

read more

Renting

REThink Real Estate

read more

Landlord brokers generally do a great job representing landlords. That’s what they’re paid to do, and it isn’t easy. But you shouldn’t be surprised to find that the advice landlord brokers are accustomed to offer doesn’t serve your interests. Here are the eight worst kinds of advice you’re likely to hear from a dedicated landlord [...]

Technology

Sony has decided to throw it hat in the 3D TV world in June.

Stocks To Watch For Monday