Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/news/economy/~3/pmK6p9UNU4s/us-usa-economy-housing-idUSBRE83G0T120120430
Monday, April 30, 2012
Homeownership rate drops to 15-year low
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The share of privately-owned U.S. homes fell to a 15-year low in the first quarter as falling house prices and stringent lending conditions push younger Americans, in... 
Rental Caps in Chicago Condo Buildings Make Sales Difficult
Various condo buildings throughout Chicago are proposing and enacting new rental caps. While the intentions are to prevent property values, condo boards don?t consider the ramifications of the change, and restrictions that are too strict can have a negative effect on home sales and prices.
Rental caps will prevent homeowners from being eligible to rent out their place for years, given the number of owners already renting out units. The rental restriction also could interfere with a possible sale, too.
?Just in the last two or three weeks, we?ve had two serious ...
Rental caps will prevent homeowners from being eligible to rent out their place for years, given the number of owners already renting out units. The rental restriction also could interfere with a possible sale, too.
?Just in the last two or three weeks, we?ve had two serious ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/chicagoagentmagazine/news/~3/rSD6fUbbf_M/
Nikkei falls, squeezed by rallying yen
TOKYO, May 1 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average fell 1
percent in early trading on Tuesday, with exporters pressured by
a strong yen and risk appetite dampened ahead of elections and a
central... 
percent in early trading on Tuesday, with exporters pressured by
a strong yen and risk appetite dampened ahead of elections and a
central...
The Crossing at Morton Grove Offers the Best in Luxury Row Homes
If you are looking for a new home that is both affordable and exquisite, the Crossings at Morton Grove by Toll Brothers offers luxury row homes located in one of the most sought after areas in the Chicagoland real estate market. Catering to a diverse demographic, the Crossings at Morton Grove features beautiful floorplans, outstanding [...]
3 Reasons Why Sellers Shouldn?t Be Present for House Showings
It?s the dreaded question real estate agents fear when speaking to the seller. ?May I be present at the open house or showing?? At this point, [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/pYZ5pnx358o/
House of the Week: Glassy Modern was Rumored Rendezvous Spot for Marilyn Monroe and JFK (VIDEO)
Set 40 miles outside of Los Angeles and butting against a 3,000-acre nature preserve, a striking modern glass house coined the Farralone Estate sits in almost perfect privacy.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/XPLnAuXDL8k/
How to Get Financing for Rental Properties
These days, many people hear in the news that it’s a good time to buy rental property and so they?ve decided that they would like to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/uVHLwZ0O_2o/
Money fails to reach hardest-hit homeowners
It’s hard to ignore the problem of foreclosures in this country. Millions of foreclosure filings have been sent out and millions more could be just around the corner. What?s worse is that according to the Federal Reserve, some 12 million homeowners now owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.
In an effort to [...]
In an effort to [...]
MIDEAST STOCKS-Kuwait hits 10-month high; Gulf ends mixed
DUBAI, April 30 (Reuters) - Kuwait's index hit a
10-month high on Monday as retail investors picked up mid- and
small-cap stocks, while UAE bourses ended lower and other Gulf
markets were mixed. 
10-month high on Monday as retail investors picked up mid- and
small-cap stocks, while UAE bourses ended lower and other Gulf
markets were mixed.
Meg Ryan?s Home is Back on Bel-Air Market
This third time Ryan has listed the home since she bought in 2000.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/rwLGeBIaEHo/
Walking Away: The New Calculus
If the statistics are to be believed: “strategic default” – the act of voluntarily walking away from one’s mortgage – is now becoming quite fashionable. According to the latest estimates, more than 30% of foreclosures are strategic defaults, compared to 20% in 2009. However, the calculus of “strategic default” is changing, such that you need [...]
Source: http://news.mortgagecalculator.org/walking-away-the-new-calculus/
TEXT-S&P summary: Shinhan Bank
(The following statement was released by the rating agency) 
Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/financialsNews/~3/dy20FwLMfKg/idUSWLA719720120430
equity investment mortgage industry investment firms wells fargo
Sunday, April 29, 2012
UPDATE 1-AB InBev hikes U.S. beer sales, upbeat on Brazil
* Says minimum wage increase in Brazil should drive sales 
Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/news/usmarkets/~3/gdbzZVrqR1I/abinbev-idUSL6E8FQ97S20120430
48 Hours Remain! Vote for Zillow in the Webby Awards
The countdown is on! Less than 48 hours remain until the polls close in the 16th Annual Webby Awards! Zillow needs your vote to help win [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/0kkk0APSLEg/
First Quarter Foreclosure Activity Mixed
Quarterly foreclosure activity increased in 2012′s first quarter for 114 of the 212 metropolitan areas followed by RealtyTrac, according to a new study by the research firm.
The study, however, was not entirely negative. Though foreclosures did increase in 26 of the U.S.’ 50 largest metro areas, with the biggest increases in Pittsburgh,�Indianapolis�and Philadelphia, it also decreased by wide margins in similarly large cities, such as the 28 percent decline in Portland, 26 percent decline in Las Vegas and 21 percent fall in Boston and San Jose.
And even with the quarterly ...
The study, however, was not entirely negative. Though foreclosures did increase in 26 of the U.S.’ 50 largest metro areas, with the biggest increases in Pittsburgh,�Indianapolis�and Philadelphia, it also decreased by wide margins in similarly large cities, such as the 28 percent decline in Portland, 26 percent decline in Las Vegas and 21 percent fall in Boston and San Jose.
And even with the quarterly ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/chicagoagentmagazine/news/~3/WjD2Fwd56aE/
equity investment mortgage industry investment firms wells fargo
Four Seasons Health Care in talks with Terra Firma-FT
LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - Private equity group Terra
Firma is in advanced talks to acquire Britain's
biggest care home operator Four Seasons Health Care, the
Financial Times said on Monday. 
Firma is in advanced talks to acquire Britain's
biggest care home operator Four Seasons Health Care, the
Financial Times said on Monday.
4 Years and 6 Price Cuts Later, Britney Spears? Home Sells
It took some time, but Britney Spears' home has finally snagged a buyer.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/dz7BXOKgekw/
Van plunges into NY's Bronx Zoo, killing seven
NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - Seven people, including three
children, were killed on Sunday when a van crashed through a
highway guardrail and plunged more than 100 feet into New York's
Bronx Zoo,... 
children, were killed on Sunday when a van crashed through a
highway guardrail and plunged more than 100 feet into New York's
Bronx Zoo,...
Don?t Hold Your Breath for Fannie/Freddie Reform
It’s shocking, I know, but according to a report from Bloomberg, there are no imminent plans to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. �HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was quoted as saying:�“We have continued to work on refining potential proposals for the GSEs. �We’ve been encouraged to see bipartisan legislative proposals.” �Housing Wire has quoted [...]
Jefferson County
Jefferson County amending policy for temporary power poles permits. HBA Jefferson County Board of Trustees reviewing draft language. Changes initially requested by HBA members. HBA staff contact: Emily Schwartze Post (x116 or SchwartzeE@hbastl.com).
Source: http://stlhba.hbablog.com/2012/04/27/jefferson-county-21/
mortgage industry investment firms wells fargo bank of america
Realtor� Nationwide Open House Weekend Arrives in Chicagoland
With the Chicago housing market seeing a positive wave of good news finally coming its way, the 2012 Realtor� Nationwide Open House Weekend is sure to be a great time for homeowners ready to show their homes to potential buyers. The Realtor� Nationwide Open House Weekend takes place April 28 and 29 across the country. [...]
CORRECTED-Britain's richest see fortunes rise to record high
* Wealthiest 1,000 enjoy near 5 pct growth in combined worth 
equity investment mortgage industry investment firms wells fargo
Ally of ousted cabinet to back new Romania govt
* Vote of confidence likely due May 7, Ponta to become new
PM 
PM
interest bearing savings insurance free markets capital markets
Mortgage rates fall back to record lows
Below is an excerpt from the latest Market Trends newsletter, a weekly examination of what moved mortgage rates the week prior:
As expected, mortgage rates retreated further from their recent upward spurt. An accumulation of economic optimism prompted a rise in mortgage rates, but that enthusiasm has since moderated among plenty of mediocre economic data.
According to [...]
As expected, mortgage rates retreated further from their recent upward spurt. An accumulation of economic optimism prompted a rise in mortgage rates, but that enthusiasm has since moderated among plenty of mediocre economic data.
According to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hsh/~3/F_hRt4pi7Nw/
capital markets equity investment mortgage industry investment firms
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Park Yourself at this NYC Garage-Door Brownstone
For a building that’s 150-years old, it sure sports a youthful facade. That’s because this 16-foot-wide, East Village brownstone was brought grinning into the 21st century [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/g5bFgfrvY6E/
NAR and Department of Treasury Host ?Help For Homeowners? Event in Chicago
The National Association of Realtors and the United States Department of Treasury came together to put on an event on April 23 that offered aid to homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure and to help Realtors to better assist clients in the process of a short sale transaction.Home owners at the event had the opportunity to meet directly with loan servicers for assistance with difficult short sale transactions that they may be going through. Owners left the event with knowledge, insights and information on short ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/chicagoagentmagazine/news/~3/KuK8rMCoJME/
interest interest bearing checking interest bearing savings insurance
Pending Home Sales Index Crosses 100; Job Growth In 30 States
The Pending Home Sales Index crossed 100; Unemployment Rates are dropping; Existing Homes are rising.
Click for the complete post : Pending Home Sales Index Crosses 100; Job Growth In 30 States.
Fannie/Freddie Raise Mortgage Fees
Beginning on April 1, Fannie Mae follow in Freddie Mac’s footsteps and formally raise the fees that they charge lenders, which will almost certainly pass these fees on to borrowers. The bottom line is that for virtually all borrowers, obtaining a mortgage is set to become significantly more expensive. As mentioned earlier, Fannie/Freddie are currently [...]
Source: http://news.mortgagecalculator.org/fanniefreddie-raise-mortgage-fees/
Measures of the Housing Recovery
The new home sales data from earlier today confirms what we’ve been reporting�for several weeks now ? that a housing recovery is indeed in the works.
There remains considerable debate, though, on the nature and extent of that recovery, and in a new post on his Calculated Risk blog, Bill McBride assesses a number of factors influencing what he sees as a slow, but sustainable, path to recovery for housing, and the tricky interpretations that assess those factors.
Along with new home sales, which are up more than 17 percent from their ...
There remains considerable debate, though, on the nature and extent of that recovery, and in a new post on his Calculated Risk blog, Bill McBride assesses a number of factors influencing what he sees as a slow, but sustainable, path to recovery for housing, and the tricky interpretations that assess those factors.
Along with new home sales, which are up more than 17 percent from their ...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/chicagoagentmagazine/news/~3/WuDnI2ybhoo/
Mortgage Rates : Real-Time MBS Pricing, April 26, 2012
Real-time mortgage market updates for April 26, 2012. Updates provided by MBSQuoteline, an MBS subscription provider for loan officers.
Click for the complete post : Mortgage Rates : Real-Time MBS Pricing, April 26, 2012.
Telecom Italia shareholder Telco to hold cap increase
MILAN, April 28 (Reuters) - Italian telephone company
Telecom Italia's unlisted main shareholder Telco will
undertake a capital increase for an unspecified amount, said
Assicurazioni Generali Chief Executive Giovanni
Perissinotto on Saturday. 
Telecom Italia's unlisted main shareholder Telco will
undertake a capital increase for an unspecified amount, said
Assicurazioni Generali Chief Executive Giovanni
Perissinotto on Saturday.
Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/financialsNews/~3/49Muww3Hy10/idUSL6E8FS09120120428
Featured Chicago Open House Listings for Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15
What an exciting weekend to begin your new home search! Dream Town is hosting a variety of open houses that include some of the city’s loveliest single-family homes and a charming collection of condos. Whether your sense of style tends toward modern, traditional or industrial designs, we can present you with property options that suite your tastes and exceed your expectations. Visit us at any (or all) of our eight featured properties this weekend and we’ll start you along the [...]
Jumbo Mortgage Rates Help Boost Luxury Housing Market
March 2012 was characterized by aggressive mortgage rates in the jumbo and super-jumbo arena. It helped fuel a surge in luxury home sales.
Click for the complete post : Jumbo Mortgage Rates Help Boost Luxury Housing Market.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheMortgageReports/~3/EEK2_5eQ8No/jumbo-mortgage-rates-luxury-homes
Lauren Conrad Trades Hollywood Home for Beverly Hills Penthouse Condo
With a contract on her Hollywood home ? which was the filming location of ?The Hills" ? as well as her new purchase of a swanky penthouse, Conrad may finally be able to put the drama of reality TV behind her.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/-zZjN3Aijqs/
interest bearing savings insurance free markets capital markets
UPDATE 1-UAE's Aldar Q1 profit soars, beats forecast
ABU DHABI, April 28 (Reuters) - Aldar Properties,
Abu Dhabi's struggling developer currently in merger talks with
rival Sorouh Real Estate, more than doubled its first
quarter net profit on land and residential unit sales to the
government. 
Abu Dhabi's struggling developer currently in merger talks with
rival Sorouh Real Estate, more than doubled its first
quarter net profit on land and residential unit sales to the
government.
House of the Week: Glassy Modern was Rumored Rendezvous Spot for Marilyn Monroe and JFK (VIDEO)
Set 40 miles outside of Los Angeles and butting against a 3,000-acre nature preserve, a striking modern glass house coined the Farralone Estate sits in almost perfect privacy.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ZillowBlog/~3/XPLnAuXDL8k/
Friday, April 27, 2012
Appraisals Continue to Affect Closings
As if obtaining a mortgage loan wasn’t difficult enough, it turns out there was one more obstacle which has to be overcome: the appraisal. Thanks to new federal regulations, appraisals have now become a nail-biting experience. The best advice for both buyers and sellers is to avoid obtaining one altogether. Unfortunately, all lenders will stipulate [...]
Source: http://news.mortgagecalculator.org/appraisals-continue-to-affect-closings/
free markets capital markets equity investment mortgage industry
Can you recreate your home?s walls without paint?
You’ve embraced the warming weather and it has finally motivated you to kick off some spring cleaning?you’ve washed the windows, tossed out old clutter and rolled up winter rugs. But with the piles gone and the furniture rearranged, you find yourself staring at four less-than-inspired blank walls. There must be a more interesting alternative than just another coat of paint, right? Indeed, there are other options. An increasingly popular approach to walls needing a touch of personality is the self-stick [...]
Appraisals Continue to Affect Closings
As if obtaining a mortgage loan wasn’t difficult enough, it turns out there was one more obstacle which has to be overcome: the appraisal. Thanks to new federal regulations, appraisals have now become a nail-biting experience. The best advice for both buyers and sellers is to avoid obtaining one altogether. Unfortunately, all lenders will stipulate [...]
Source: http://news.mortgagecalculator.org/appraisals-continue-to-affect-closings/
CORRECTED-Goldman shutters Canadian "dark pool" trading ops
TORONTO, April 27 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs is
shutting down its Canadian "dark pool" trading operation less
than a year after it was launched by the U.S.-based investment
bank, acc ording to a... 
shutting down its Canadian "dark pool" trading operation less
than a year after it was launched by the U.S.-based investment
bank, acc ording to a...
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