Email Hacks Affect Real Estate Agents

Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Hacking is starting to affect real estate agents. Too many important and scary details to put in this summary. Go to:
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/wicked-real-estate-cyber-hack/?
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“Paying kickbacks for mortgage referrals is illegal, and it has been illegal for decades,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Secret and unlawful payments keep consumers in the dark and put honest businesses at a disadvantage, and the Consumer Bureau will continue to take action against them.” -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33725-cfpb-maryland-ag-take-action-against-pay-to-play-mortgage-kickback-scheme
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Shared by David Sov, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, southeastern France

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In the wake of the financial crisis, nonbank lenders and servicers have witnessed a significant emergence in the mortgage business. In fact, independent mortgage banks (IMBs) are heavily dominating the single-family market. The IMB share of overall mortgage originations has increased from 25% in 2008 to 40% in 2013, according to MBA’s own research.
Moreover, unlike national depository lending institutions, nonbanks are subject to company licensing and regulation in every state in which they operate. State regulators collect and review quarterly financial statements including balance sheet and income data, as well as quarterly data on IMB’s origination and servicing activities. IMBs and other nonbank lenders are also subjected to market discipline via the counterparty oversight activities of their warehouse banks, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and FHA, all of whom review and analyze the financial and operational performance of their IMB customers. -- Bill Cosgrove in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/blogs/1-rewired/post/33726-mbas-cosgrove-the-importance-of-nonbanks-in-the-mortgage-market  
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Personal income in March 2015 increased less than 0.1 percent. Nominal personal consumption expenditures (PCE) rose 0.4 percent. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent.  Nominal disposable personal income (DPI) increased less than 0.1 percent.  Real DPI decreased 0.2 percent. The personal saving rate as a percentage of DPI was 5.3 percent in March.  -- US Department of Commerce
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Shared by T. Siyah, Chefren & Cheope, Giza, Egypt (by Blue Sky Travel Egypt)

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WASHINGTON — Homeownership hit its lowest point in 25 years, according to recent data, in another sign that the housing sector continues to be the laggard during this economic recovery. -- Brian Collins in National Mortgage News
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Discount brokers give discounted commissions, but also fewer services.  When marketing your full service real estate company, highlight your connections in the real estate community, your contacts: reputable lawyers, handymen, contractors, mortgage loan officers etc. 
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Shared by Rock Sharma, Location unknown.

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
For traditional real estate agents to continue to succeed in this technological environment, learn to use the available technology, like Zillow, and market your knowledge, contacts and people skills.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/zillow-turns-fast-fsbo/?
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“The Fed is starting to lay the groundwork for the eventuality of interest rate hikes,” says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com. “It’s only prudent for consumers to prepare themselves as well.” -- Jonnell Marte in The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2015/01/05/where-interest-rates-are-going-in-2015-and-what-it-means-for-your-loans/
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Shared by Plugarasu Maria, House Between Two Rocks , location unknown

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The 15 hottest real estate markets this spring

15.  Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, California

14.  Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California

13.  San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California

12. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California

11. Boulder, Colorado

10. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California

9. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan

8. Ann Arbor, Michigan

7. Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, Tennessee

6. San Diego-Carlsbad, California

5. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire

4. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado

3. Vallejo-Fairfield, California

2. Santa Rosa, California

1. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas 

.-- Brena Swanson in HousingWire

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33755-the-15-hottest-markets-for-homebuyers-and-sellers-this-spring

Tesla Home Battery- Coming Soon

Storing electricity efficiently, inexpensively and safely is a problem that has vexed the power industry since electricity was first harnessed. But such storage has huge implications for bolstering the national electricity grid and reducing pollution from power generation.

Homeowners and businesses, for example, could charge batteries at night, when there is surplus generation and rates are cheap, and then use the power during the day, when there is a heavy load on the grid and rates are highest. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33696-coming-soon-teslas-home-battery

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Foreclosure activity — which includes default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — rose 4% in March over the previous year’s total, according to a new report from RealtyTrac. The jump marked the first year-over-year increase in foreclosure activity since September 2010. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33578-realtytrac-foreclosures-see-first-year-over-year-increase-since-2010
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Shared by Juwai, Chinese giant Dalian Wanda has started building its speculative $970MN development, Jewel on the Gold Coast, Australia

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Top five housing markets by Auction.com

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33576-these-are-the-top-5-single-family-home-markets-in-america
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Congress has CFPB in its crosshairs! Bill HR 1275
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/congress-has-cfpb-in-crosshairs/?
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Shared by Mirjana Jesensek

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The heart of the question, as one of the five put it, is that if a policy treats everybody the same, regardless of race, and there’s no intent to discriminate, can it still be labeled “discriminatory” if its results aren’t racially balanced? 

Well, of course not.

-- Trey Garrison in HousingWire  http://www.housingwire.com/blogs/1-rewired/post/33690-so-now-were-at-the-point-a-totally-color-blind-housing-policy-is-discrimination

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Mortgage application activity fell once again as refinance volume dropped to its lowest level since September 2014, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey.

There was a 2.3% decline in application volume on a seasonally adjusted basis for the period ending April 24. The seasonally adjusted purchase index remained unchanged, while the refinance index plunged 4% during the same time span. -- Jacob Passy in Origination News

http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/origination/mortgage-applications-drop-on-depressed-refinance-activity-1049870-1.html?

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Shared by Mirjana Jensensek, and AmiPlanet.  The Monastery of Tatev is located in Armenia. It is a 9th century monastery. It is near Tatev village in southeastern Armenia. Armenia is located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia near Turkey and Iran.

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The U.S. homeownership rate fell to the lowest level in more than two decades, extending a multiyear decline as rising prices and stagnant wages keep young families out of the property-buying market.

The share of Americans who own their homes was 63.7% in the first quarter, down from 64% in the prior three months, the Census Bureau said in a report Tuesday. The rate was the lowest since 1993, data compiled by Bloomberg show. -- Bloomberg News

http://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/origination/homeownership-rate-falls-to-637-lowest-since-1993-1049788-1.html?

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Economic growth in the United States is grinding to a near halt, with the first-quarter GDP estimate coming in at just 0.2%. -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33718-us-economic-growth-just-about-grinds-to-halt
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Shared by Tina En.  Wat Rong Khun. Thailand.

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Obama: Here are 8 lucky communities chosen to build prosperity

Administration names new "Promise Zones"

--Brena Swanson in HousingWire

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33703-here-are-the-8-lucky-communities-chosen-to-build-prosperity

Existing Home Sales Explode!

Existing-homes sales surged to their highest annual rate in 18 months, showing a promising beginning to the spring homebuying season, the latest report from the National Association of Relators said. -- Brena Swanson in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33640-existing-home-sales-explode-as-spring-homebuying-season-officially-arrives
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Renting vs Buying
Barry Habib says:  housing will have 4-5% appreciation this year and buying is a better deal than renting.  Find the details on the link below.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/rent-vs-buy-in-2015/?
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Shared by Uros Kralj, taken by Barbara McLean, Athens

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Quicken Loans is suing the DOJ and HUD.  Wish them luck!  If they win, it will benefit all of us.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/quicken-sues-feds-and-we-love-it/?
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Sales of new single-family houses in March 2015 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 481,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 11.4 percent (±18.6%)* below the revised February rate of 543,000, but is 19.4 percent (±21.8%)* above the March 2014 estimate of 403,000.
-- Department of Commerce
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Shared and taken by Squid McFinnigan, tiny church in Cork, Ireland, called Gougane Barra.

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Lucas, the Star Wars creator is offering his own property in west Marin County off Lucas Valley Road near Novato for the project, with plans for a community of 224 homes right where neighbors said no to his studio expansion. -- Brena Swanson in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33589-george-lucas-to-create-massive-affordable-housing-project
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The drought in the West will impact the housing market.  The deep reservoir water level is dropping.  Stringent water use restrictions are in place throughout the West, not just in California.  It is hard to live without water!
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Shared and taken by Luis Armando Oyarzun, Teatro Colon. Comparable a La Scala de Milán, a la Ópera Estatal de Viena, a la Ópera Semper de Dresde y la Ópera de París.

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Fannie Mae announced Tuesday the HomePath Ready Buyer program, under which qualifying first-time homebuyers can receive up to 3% of the purchase price of the subject property in closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a HomePath property. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33555-fannie-mae-launches-major-first-time-homebuyer-assistance-program
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Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,039,000. This is 5.7 percent (±2.0%) below the revised February rate of 1,102,000, but is 2.9 percent (±0.9%) above the March 2014 estimate of 1,010,000. Single-family authorizations in March were at a rate of 636,000; this is 2.1 percent (±0.9%) above.  - Department of Commerce
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Shared by Juwai, Apartment building in Melbourne, Australia.

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MoveTube, Are You Interested?

MoveTube on Roku, an internet based platform for buyers, sellers, lenders and agents to connect.  Check it out.  http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/movetube-on-fox-news/?
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Home equity lines of credit taken during big housing bubble just before the crash may hit the millions of homeowners with home equity lines of credit with a dramatic spike in their payments. 

This comes at a time when even economic bulls are seeing a systemic weakness in the economy.  -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33535-trouble-ahead-tidal-wave-of-heloc-resets-about-to-hit

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Shared and taken by James Harrison, Mont St Michelle

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Zillow in Trouble
On Friday, HousingWire reported that the letter in question submitted in the case “appears to confirm” the contention by Move that Samuelson, now the chief industry development officer for Zillow, took multiple documents and entire databases from his former employer.    
Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33559-court-seals-letter-from-anonymous-whistleblower-in-zillow-lawsuit
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
H.R. 685 will allow more low income buyers to buy homes.  It fixes something that Dodd-Frank broke.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/12562/?

House members from both parties voted 286-140 to pass H.R. 685, the Mortgage Choice Act of 2015, which was reintroduced earlier this year after dying in the last Congress despite bipartisan support. -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33560-houses-passes-mortgage-choice-act-of-2015-by-286-140

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Shared by Gia Au Huy Duong, Tokyo

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Following a slight uptick last week, mortgage applications decreased 2.3% on a weekly basis, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 10, 2015. -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33562-mortgage-applications-down-23-led-by-drop-in-purchases
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Another salient bill passed Tuesday was H.R. 650, thePreserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act, which supporters say ensures consumers – especially low and moderate-income consumers – can continue to have access to affordable manufactured housing.  This bipartisan legislation continues existing consumer protections, including protections that prohibit steering consumers to predatory loans.

It passed the House on April 14 by a vote of 263-162. (Manufactured housing is more than mobile homes, it is anything built off site and assembled on site.) -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33566-mortgage-lending-and-finance-industry-get-boost-in-housing-regulatory-reform-bills

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Shared and taken by Mirjana Jensensek, France

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Fannie Mae announced Tuesday the HomePath Ready Buyer program, under which qualifying first-time homebuyers can receive up to 3% of the purchase price of the subject property in closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a HomePath property.

On a $150,000 home, this could result in up to $4,500 in savings for the buyer, Fannie said. In addition, Fannie Mae will reimburse the $75 cost of the homebuyer education course at the time of closing. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33555-fannie-mae-launches-mayor-first-time-homebuyer-assistance-program

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Smaller credit unions got a boost with the passage of H.R. 299, the Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions Act, which allows privately insured state chartered credit unions to apply for membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which would help them better serve the financial needs of consumers. 

Rural lenders benefit from H.R. 1259, the Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities Act, which provides a petition process for areas to be designated as rural for the purpose of federal consumer financial laws, which could enable more loans to rural borrowers to qualify for special treatment under CFPB rules. 

H.R. 1259 passed the House on April 13 by a vote of 401-1. -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33566-mortgage-lending-and-finance-industry-get-boost-in-housing-regulatory-reform-bills

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Shared and taken by Luis Armando Oyarzun,  Nocturna Buenos Aires. Cabildo  con Torre iluminada

Property Taxes. Where Does Your State Rank?

...which states pack the biggest property tax punch and what should residents keep in mind when it comes to meeting and ultimately minimizing their obligations? In search of answers, we analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of real estate and vehicle property taxes. We also consulted a panel of leading property tax experts for insights both practical and political.
http://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
An ex FDIC heavy weight says that the Government has treated the GSE’s illegally and wants it fixed.  We say – FINALLY!
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/fannie-and-freddie-get-a-new-fan/?
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Shared by James Harrison, taken by Trey Radcliff.  The "Egg" in Beijing.

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The December 2014 international trade deficit increased 17.1 percent from November, to $46.6 billion. Exports decreased 0.8 percent to $194.9 billion, and imports increased 2.2 percent to $241.4 billion.

For the full year 2014, the trade deficit grew 6 percent to $505b. Exports rose 2.9 percent, to $2.3 trillion, and imports increased 3.4 percent, to $2.9 trillion.  Bureau of Economics and Statistics

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
HUD is thinking about lowering their credit standards to get more buyers in the market.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/fha-alternative-credit-scoring-coming-soon/?
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Shared and taken by Norbert Metz.  Corsica

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Mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 17% relative to the previous month, the MarchMortgage Bankers Association’s Builder Application Survey said. -- Brena Swanson in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33508-mba-new-home-purchases-jump-17-in-march
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Cash sales made up 38.9% of total home sales in January 2015, down from 41.4% in January 2014, and from the peak of 46.5% in January 2011, according to CoreLogic (CLGX). -- Trey Garrison in HousingWire
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33507-cash-home-sales-share-drops-to-389-in-january-2015
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Shared by Mirjana Jensensek, Holy Toledo! (Spain)

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Buying cheaper than renting in 3 of 4 housing markets

RealtyTrac: Other factors keeping renters on the sidelines

Trey Garrison in HousingWire

“As wage growth continues to stagnate, those consumers choosing to rent will see more and more of their net wages being devoted to increased housing costs in the future,” Mahon added.

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33502-buying-cheaper-than-renting-in-3-of-4-housing-markets

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Failing oil prices will dampen growth in areas where the local economies are heavily based on the production of oil, HouseCanary said in the study. On the other hand, there are many areas that will see economic stimulation from low oil prices, which will fuel demand and housing price growth, the study showed. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33504-how-will-todays-low-oil-prices-affect-home-values

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Shared by James Harrison, taken by Patricia Pomerleau.  Balloons over Myanmar

Solar Panels and Selling Your House

Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Solar panels are great unless you are leasing them and want to sell your house.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/solar-panels-are-killing-real-estate-deals/?
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This is quite the tale.  Follow the link to read the whole disasterous story.

Comcast sent technicians to Seth's house and over the span of multiple trips spanning over four months, they couldn't get it set up correctly. According to BGR:

Each time they got there, they quickly discovered that there was no infrastructure on site and promptly left. It literally took four consecutive weeks of failed attempts before Comcast recognized it would have to do more than send out a technician with cable boxes to fulfill its promise......

http://www.komando.com/happening-now/301505/this-guy-has-to-sell-his-brand-new-house-because-comcast-is-terrible?

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Shared by Uros Kralj, taken by Lilia Fernandez.  Dinamarca.

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Home prices are growing much faster than wages for a majority of the country, a new report by RealtyTrac shows. -- Ben Lane in HousingWire http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33351-realtytrac-home-prices-outpacing-wage-growth-in-76-of-us
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Now the the CFPB is allowing consumers to make un-vetted complaints, lenders should be bracing for the fake complaints that are sure to come.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/lenders-brace-for-fake-complaints/?
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Shared and taken by James Harrison, traditional French architecture.

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Barry Habib says that Realty Trac's numbers are okay, but the understanding of those numbers is missing something. As long as the mortgage rates stay low, home prices are still affordable. If home prices decrease and interest rates go up, then there is a problem.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/barry-habib-sheds-light-on-recent-housing-data/?
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Expected FICO changes to aid risky borrowers

The new score will include a new variety of financial variables, including consumers’ payment history with their cable, cellphone, electric and gas bills, as well as how often they change addresses and other factors.

The newer credit scoring models put less emphasis on the impact of unpaid medical bills, and the effect of missed payments on debts that have subsequently been paid off is eliminated. -- Brena Swanson in HousingWire

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33432-expected-fico-changes-to-aid-risky-borrowers

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Shared by Mirjana Jensensek, Manchu Pichu

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PERSONAL INCOME AND OUTLAYS: FEBRUARY 2015 Personal income increased $58.6 billion, or 0.4 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $54.2 billion, or 0.4 percent, in February, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $11.8 billion, or 0.1 percent. In January, personal income increased $61.8 billion, or 0.4 percent, DPI increased $61.5 billion, or 0.5 percent, and PCE decreased $28.5 billion, or 0.2 percent, based on revised estimates. -- US Bureau of Economic Analysis
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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Home prices are growing 13 times faster than income nation wide.  (at the 3.50 minute mark)
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/warning-home-values-outpace-wages/?
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Shared by Gia Huy Duong, Ho Chi Minh City

87% of Singapore Owns a Home

Real-estate statistics

The number of people who are owners-occupiers of homes in Singapore is a cause for wonder: a staggering 87% of the population owns their own homes.

This literally means that Singapore has achieved the unique feat of having housed all its citizens of more than 3 million people! 

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:

.........over the past 5 years, rents have increased by 15% whereas income has only increased by 11%.

http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/renters-getting-the-squeeze-could-help-home-sales/?

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Shared in Home Design by Magly.  Gumno House is a private residence located in Risika, Croatia.

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Sales of previously owned homes fell short of a 5 million annual rate in February for a second month, showing an industry struggling to gain traction amid rising prices and a lack of inventory.

Closings, which usually take place a month or two after a contract is signed, rose 1.2% to a 4.88 million annual rate, the National Association of Realtors reported Monday in Washington. The median value of a house climbed 7.5% from the same month last year while the number of properties on the market was little changed.

http://newstowatch.com/mortgage-realestate/commercial/existing-homes-sales-gain-a-scant-1-in-february.html

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Nat'l Real Estate Post:
Home loan amounts are growing faster than home values.  Mid range and low end borrowers are either being intimitated from or are afraid to try to borrow.  And credit values are too low.
http://thenationalrealestatepost.com/loan-amounts-outpacing-home-values/?
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Shared by Francesco Del Santo .Pisa, Italy.

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From HUD:
The median sales price of new houses sold in February 2015 was $275,500; the average sales price was $341,000. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of February was 210,000. This represents a supply of 4.7 months at the current sales rate.
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The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.8 percent from 3.81 percent last week, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. One year ago, that rate was 4.5 percent. Four weeks ago, it was 3.99 percent. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.29 discount and origination points. Over the past 52 weeks, the 30-year fixed has averaged 4.24 percent. This week's rate is 0.44 percentage points lower than that 52-week average. Excluding the week before last, the last time the 30-year fixed was lower was the week of May 22, 2013, when it was 3.74 percent.

The benchmark 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.13 percent from 3.18 percent.

The benchmark 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage stayed at 3.19 percent.

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate jumbo rose to 4.02 percent from 4.01 percent.

by Polyana de Costa for Bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgage-analysis.aspx

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Shared and taken by Pasi Hortoma, somewhere in Finland

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New-home sales soared almost 8% in February as a snowy winter month failed to deter buyers as expected.

Sales of single-family homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 539,000, up 7.8% from January, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That dwarfed economists' median forecast for a 470,000 annual rate and a small monthly decline, according to Action Economics' survey before the report.

Instead, January's sales rate also was revised up to 500,000 from 481,000 previously reported.

Doug Carroll in USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/03/24/new-home-sales-february/70337180/

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Banks to CFPB: Tear Down This Rate Calculator

Lending groups are demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau take down its mortgage rate calculator, arguing it is providing misleading information to consumers.

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Shared and taken by Luis Armando Oyarzun, Bariloche. Centro Cívico.  ( In Chile I think)