Articles About Mortgage Bankers Association

Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
07.03.2012

Mortgage Delinquencies on the Decline

The percentage of borrowers who are behind on making mortgage payments fell to a four-year low in the first three months of 2012, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).  The percentage of loans that were delinquent or in the foreclosure process during the 1st quarter was 11.33 percent, the lowest level since 2008.  That […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
03.12.2012

Pending Home Sales Rose Two Percent in January

The Pending Home Sales Index grew by two percent during January from the previous month to 97.0 — considerably above the 1.1 percent growth forecast by economists.  The index has risen eight percent when compared with one year ago.  Relaxed mortgage lending criteria, historically low interest rates and an improving labor market contributed to this […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
02.21.2012

As Foreclosures Decline, Federal Government Makes Deal With 49 States

In good news for beleaguered homeowners, the Obama administration announced a $26 billion mortgage settlement, which 49 out of 50 state attorneys general signed on to.  The deal won praise from such groups as the Mortgage Bankers Association, the industry trade group for lenders, and the Center for Responsible Lending, a public interest group advocating […]

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Author:
Tom Silva
Posted:
02.13.2012

What’s Wrong With Homeowners Defaulting? Companies Do It all the Time

When we say that a company “went bankrupt,” we imply that it had no other choice. But American Airlines deliberately filed for bankruptcy. The airline had four billion dollars in the bank and was in a position to pay its bills. American has been losing money for some time and its board decided that it […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
12.06.2011

Home Delinquencies Fall; Foreclosures Rise

Fewer borrowers currently are delinquent on their home loans, a Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report shows.  Curiously, new foreclosures are rising in states like California.  This is evidence that the nation still must endure significant pain before the housing crisis finally comes to an end.  According to some analysts, the nation is only halfway through […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
11.10.2011

Federal Regulators Floating the Idea of 20 Percent Downpayment Mortgages

Is a 20 percent downpayment on a house or condominium on the horizon?  If some federal regulators get their way, buyers may have to put down $60,000 on a $300,000 house to get the best possible mortgage interest rate.  Although this sets the bar high, regulators believe it will prevent the risky lending practices that […]

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Author:
Tom Silva
Posted:
10.31.2011

Obama Bypasses Congress to Boost Housing

President Barack Obama executed an end run around Congress when he announced a significant retooling of a plan designed to help homeowners who are paying their mortgages, but still underwater, refinance their loans at a more affordable interest rate.  Administration officials said the changes will streamline the government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) and could […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
06.07.2011

Foreclosures Are Down, So Why Isn’t That Good News?

There’s good news and bad news about foreclosures.  Although the number of foreclosures fell to their lowest rate in 4 ½ years in April, the reason is a delay in processing the orders, not because Americans are experiencing less trouble paying their mortgages.  “Foreclosure activity decreased on an annual basis for the seventh straight month […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
03.29.2011

Mortgage Applications Spike 16 Percent as Investors Take Over the Residential Market

Although analysts are sounding a cautionary note, the number of Americans applying for mortgages rose by 16.1 percent in the first week of March – the largest monthly increase since June of 2009. The activity could be due to investors with money to spend, and not the first-time homebuyers who will play a vital role […]

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Author:
Mike Ochs
Posted:
10.26.2010

Uninsured Americans Rose 9.4 Percent of the Population in 2009

Mortgage rates have hit a record low.  According to Freddie Mac, rates for 30-year mortgages fell to 4.27 percent from 4.32 percent in just one week.  At the same time, safe-haven government debt is more appealing to investors than ever, according to a Freddie Mac survey. The low rates may be a sign that housing […]

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