Pinball wizard
They’re known as “setups” or “pinball” homes, and this spring’s improving conditions in some markets could be stimulating more of them. A setup or pinball property is a home listed with an unrealistically high...
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Home buyers should request energy audits before signing on the dotted line
It may be the best-kept secret in home real estate: For a couple of hundred dollars, a potential buyer...
FHFA speeds short sale process
If you’re one of the estimated 11 million homeowners burdened with an underwater mortgage, a new federal policy change could be good news: Starting in June, when you want to do a short sale...
Mortgage standards arguably tougher than ever
How do you stack up as a potential mortgage candidate in this year’s increasingly tough underwriting environment? Do you...
New FHA mortgage rule makes it even harder for buyers to secure a loan
A little-noticed mortgage rule change that took effect April 1 could create hassles for significant numbers of homebuyers who...
Nationwide, more residential deals not getting done
What’s behind the unusually high rate of contract cancellations and settlement delays in the real estate market? With signs...
Testing a tool to fight foreclosure: mortgage-to-lease
If you’re seriously underwater and headed to foreclosure, what would you say if the lender suddenly offered you the...
Check the fine print on housing refis
The Obama administration’s new plan to stimulate refinancings of Federal Housing Administration mortgages is likely to help large numbers of homeowners cut their monthly costs — even those who are deeply underwater. But it’s...
Get ready for mortgage relief nightmare ahead
Given the huge public and private resources now being devoted to helping financially distressed homeowners — including the recently...
Fannie, Freddie tweaking forbearance policies
If you or someone you know has lost a job and are in danger of falling behind on mortgage...
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