Job growth at its weakest in a year, nonbanks may be subject to CFPB supervision, market turmoil possibly pushing rates even lower, and more in today's industry news round-up!
Home prices lowest since 2002 l CNN Money
Home prices hit new post-bubble lows in March, according to a report out Tuesday.
Majority of Completed Foreclosures Comes from Five States l American Banker
In April 2012, 66,000 foreclosures took place across the country, which is down from 78,000 a year ago.
Foreclosures made up 26% of U.S. home sales in first quarter l CNN Money
Homes in some stage of foreclosure accounted for more than one in four home sales during the first three months of the year, according to a report released Thursday.
Job Growth Weakest in a Year; Unemployment Rate Up l DSNews.com
The economy added just 69,000 jobs in May compared with a revised 77,000 in April down from the originally reported 115,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The closely watched unemployment rate inched up to 8.2 percent â a function of an increase in the nationâs labor force to the highest level ever.
FHFA Appoints Deputy Director to Coordinate Strategic Plan l DSNews.com
Edward J. DeMarco, acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), announced Thursday the appointment of Wanda I. DeLeo as Deputy Director leading the newly created Office of Strategic Initiatives.
More Homeowners' Rights Bills Pass in California Houses l DSNews.com
Attorney General Kamala Harris' Homeowner Bill of Rights continues to work through the California Legislature as two more bills pass, the Office of the Attorney General announced Thursday. AB 2610 and SB 1473 will require buyers of foreclosed homes to allow tenants at least 90 days before starting eviction proceedings.
CFPB Says Nonbanks May Be Subject to Supervision l Appraisal Institute
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released procedures on May 24 for notifying nonbanks that they could be subject to federal supervision in the event they pose a risk to consumers, American Banker reported.
Senate Republicans May Support HARP Expansions l Appraisal Institute
Senate Democrats want to further expand the Home Affordable Refinancing Program, extending refinancing to even more Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac borrowers, and it looks like some Republicans also may be on board, HousingWire reported May 24.
States Divert Settlement Funds to Cover Unrelated Shortfalls l Appraisal Institute
Nearly 40 percent of the $26 billion settlement between states and the country’s five largest mortgage servicers has been diverted to pay down budget deficits or to fund programs unrelated to the foreclosure crisis, according to an analysis by the nonprofit ProPublica, Mortgage Daily reported May 22.
Freddie: Fixed Rates Hover at Record Lows l Appraisal Institute
Mortgage rates remained at record low levels compared to the previous week, keeping home affordability at a positive level, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey released May 24. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped 0.01 percentage points from the previous week to 3.78 percent, while the 15-year rate held steady at 3.04 percent.
Freddie Mac Offering Home Warranty Credit to Buyers l DSNews.com
The incentive comes as an extension of Freddie Mac's First Look Initiative, a program designed to stabilize communities and support housing recovery. The initiative offers owner-occupants, second purchasers, and neighborhood stabilization non-profits a chance to purchase HomeSteps homes for a brief period after listing with no competition from investors.
Fed says banks eased loan terms as demand increased in 1st Quarter l Bank REO Real Estate
Well you already should know what I would, I’ll say it anyways. Not sure that EASING, lending standards is the best course of action when demand increases. That is close to what got us in our last crisis.
New Market Woes Could Push Record Low Rates Even Lower l Origination News
The latest round of weaker-than-expected U.S. employment numbers has driven the long-term rate-indicative 10-year Treasury yield to yet another record low.