The new, revamped HARP program is now available in CA and nationwide. It was officially released Saturday, March 17, 2012 by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. HARP is an acronym. It stands for Home Affordable Refinance Program. HARP is the conforming mortgage loan product meant for "underwater homeow
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03/24/2012
According to the Census Bureau, the number of single-family building permits issued in February rose to 472,000 on a seasonally-adjusted, annual basis, marking the highest building permit tally since April 2010 -- the last month of that year's federal home buyer tax credit program. Building permi
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03/23/2012
Despite sparse home inventory, the National Association of REALTORS® reports that 4.59 million existing homes were sold in February on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. An "existing home" is a home that cannot be classified as new construction. Last month's sales data represents a 9 percen
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03/22/2012
The U.S. economy is expanding, fueled by a renewed consumer optimism and increased consumer spending. As reported by the Census Bureau, Retail Sales in February, excluding cars and auto parts, rose 1 percent to $335 billion as 11 of 13 retail sectors showed improvement last month. February market
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03/16/2012
The FHA is making more changes to its flagship FHA Streamline Refinance program. Beginning mid-June 2012, certain current, FHA-backed homeowners will be able to refinance their existing FHA mortgage into a new one, without having to pay the government-backed group's new, costly mortgage insurance
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03/09/2012
With home affordability at an all-time high, buoyed by the lowest mortgage rates ever, it's been a terrific time to buy or refinance a home using a mortgage. The good times may not last, though, so today marks an ideal time to lock a mortgage rate. Friday brings risk. Here's why. Since 2010, weak
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03/09/2012
Home affordability moved higher last quarter, boosted by the lowest mortgage rates in history, a rise in median income, and slow-to-recover home prices throughout CA and the country. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the quarterly Home Opportunity Index read 75.9 in 2011's f
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03/07/2012
Beginning April 1, 2012, the FHA is once again raising mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) on its newly-insured borrowers throughout Palm Springs and the country. It's the FHA's fourth such increase in the last two years. Beginning April 1, 2012, upfront mortgage insurance premiums will be higher b
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03/07/2012
Beginning April 1, 2012, the FHA is once again raising mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) on its newly-insured borrowers throughout Palm Springs and the country. It's the FHA's fourth such increase in the last two years. Beginning April 1, 2012, upfront mortgage insurance premiums will be higher b
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03/02/2012