Forty-Eight States in Taxing Turmoil

Forty-eight of all 50 U.S. states are in economic turmoil as a result of the housing bust and the financial crisis. States have laid-off employees, slashed budgets and cut back on services, including schools and emergency services such as police and fire department personnel. “Forty-eight states are in budget crisis,” according to New York Governor… Continue reading Forty-Eight States in Taxing Turmoil

Market Bottom: They Just Don’t Get It!

By John Hines Economist The bottom of the real estate market is a fleeting place that has seen the initial stages of recovery tease markets in the worst hit areas of the country, including California, Florida and Nevada. As home sales rise, bankers hold off on making foreclosures and keep lending standards so high that… Continue reading Market Bottom: They Just Don’t Get It!

Foreclosures Dip Slightly

Recorded foreclosure notices saw a 3% dip in the last month nationally, but are still up nearly a fifth from year ago levels, according to the latest RealtyTrac monthly report. There were 332,292 notices of default, foreclosure auctions and bank repossessions filed during October. The figure represents a three month consecutive decline in foreclosure notice… Continue reading Foreclosures Dip Slightly

Private Bankers Gaining Ground

By Kevin Chiu Blamed for selling mortgages to anyone who could sign their name during the real estate boom, the majority of mortgage brokers have been forced out of business and now only originate a small percentage of home loans. However, private mortgage bankers are filling the opening in the marketplace. Leery of increasing bad… Continue reading Private Bankers Gaining Ground

Homeowner Dreams on Hold

By Sharon Williams Buying your first home is like a dream for most people. But the dream has been placed on an indefinite hold by millions of Americans troubled by the financial crisis. Qualifying for a mortgage these days has gotten tougher with economic uncertainty. There’s no doubt that in life dreams change over time,… Continue reading Homeowner Dreams on Hold

Land Developer to Winemaker

Developer to Winemaker By Mike Colpitts Marlboro, New York — As an independent thinker and winemaker Stephen Osborne isn’t the type one would expect to end up in the rural out-back of Upstate New York. But it’s his type of fierce independence that brought him to become a revolutionary developer turned businessman in the comforts… Continue reading Land Developer to Winemaker

Can We Ever Get Out of This Economic Mess

By Mike Colpitts Manhattan – Tourists flock to Times Square by the millions. Broadway shows are selling out, many packed by audiences from foreign countries at discount ticket rates. New York City is a maze of pedestrians on any given business day with people hurriedly moving from place to place. To the naked eye little… Continue reading Can We Ever Get Out of This Economic Mess

Investors to the Rescue of Troubled Homeowners

By Mike Colpitts A Cincinnati, Ohio company has launched a program, coming to the rescue of homeowners at risk of foreclosure. American Homeowner Preservation is the first private company to offer troubled homeowners and renters a way to stay in their homes without being foreclosed. The program is being called, “Cash for Clunker Mortgages” but… Continue reading Investors to the Rescue of Troubled Homeowners

Biggest Buyers Market Forecast in 2010

The New Year will bring discounted values in real estate for average Mom and Pop home buyers and investors as the fallout from the worst housing crash since at least the Great Depression pulls prices down, and forces mortgage lenders to drop asking prices. The inventory of delayed foreclosures and short sales will allow home… Continue reading Biggest Buyers Market Forecast in 2010

White House Plan to Expand Mortgage Lending

A new program announced by the White House for state and local finance agencies is intended to keep mortgage rates low and expand mortgage lending. The program is part of the Obama administration’s plan to stabilize the housing market. The program would expand lending for low and middle income borrowers through local Housing Finance Agencies… Continue reading White House Plan to Expand Mortgage Lending