The Battle in Loan Modification

Since the beginning of the year, the Making Home Affordable Program and programs alike have been met with both progressive support and glaring criticism. Supporters believe that the loan-mod programs are ebbing the tide of mounting foreclosures, while critics question the success rate and amount of effort pur forth by banks in these programs. What is certain is that Mortgage Assistance Programs are vital to a recovery in the economy and the housing market. Real estate is Cylclical, Seasonal and Emotional.

An example of promise is the recent news of the HAMP program achieving 500,000 loan-mods ahead of schedule. Increased pressure has forced banks to speedily follow through with loan-mods with the Administration issuing progress reports periodically. Also, news of banks getting better at processing foreclosures is the silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud.

However, criticism about these programs is mounting; some banks are far behind on the amount of mortgage relief being provided while some borrowers face default even after mortgage assistance. Slow turnaround of paperwork by banks is one of the criticisms about these programs.

With foreclosures mounting and unemployment on the rise, the final outcome on these programs is yet to be seen.

Mortgage Industry Faces Looming Concerns

Heading into the 4th Quarter of this tumultuous economic year, the mortgage industry faces growing problems ahead. While news of Obama’s HAMP program reaching its 500,000 goal of helping homeowners faster than expected is promising, concerns on possible bailouts and underperforming programs continues to threaten the vision of recovery in the housing market. Mortgage Assistance Programs are needed to curtail these concerns before problems become “too big to fail.” We must always remember that Real estate is Cyclical Seasonal and Emotional.

Will the FHA Need a Taxpayer Bailout?

The question about a possible Federal Housing Administration bailout in the near future is the story circulating news desks today. F.H.A. commissioner David H. Stevens sought to dispel concerns about the mortgage giant’s looming problems.

“Absent any catastrophic home price decline, F.H.A. will not need to ask Congress and the American taxpayer for extraordinary assistance – we will not need a bailout,” Mr. Stevens said in a prepared testimony on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Providing lenders with protection against losses as the result of homeowners defaulting on their mortgage loans, the FHA now insures more than 25% of mortgages in the country, up from 3% in 2006. Critics argue that a future FHA bailout is almost inevitable, as the agency’s capital is dangerously close to dipping below the mandated level of 2%. Independent financial consultant Edward Pinto concurs,

“It appears destined for a taxpayer bailout in the next 24 to 36 months,” Edward said. He estimates that the agency faces losses of $70 billion on loans it has already made, short of its current reserves by $40 billion.

Fed Preparing for Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Crisis?

An unpublished Federal Reserve Report leaked in a recent Wall Street Journal article reporting rising defaults in the commercial real estate sector. The unpublished report concludes that U.S. banks are slow to take losses on their commercial real estate loans. Specific servicers reported having only 11 cents in reserves for every $1 in bad loans in the second quarter.

The NuWire Investor had this to say; “I don’t know what’s worse, the banks skimping on reserves and holding off on reporting losses in hope of revival or the Fed for knowing about the problem and trying to keep it a secret. Someone at the Fed must feel the same way because the report somehow found its way to the media.”

TARP Oversight Group Says Treasury Mortgage Plan Not Effective

The TARP group indicates that the government needs to increase its efforts to help struggling homeowners in this article. There is doubt that the $50 billion loan-modification program will provide the necessary relief to all homeowners it intended at the start of the program. With rising factors of unemployment, and decreasing property values the task becomes more daunting.

Manhattan Apartment Market's Quick Rebound

It’s good to see industry analysts confirming what we predicted roughly two months ago. A recent MSNBC articleindicates a surprisingly quick rebound in the Manhattan apartment market as of late. As consumer confidence builds, stability strengthens in the market as stated in our August Manhattan Condo Report and NYC Square Footage and Median Price Differentials report.

In our August report, we projected a sales activity and property values increase in the months of July, August and September.

The recent MSNBC article indicated a sales increase of apartments and co-ops between 46 and 69 percent from the second to the third quarter, with the number of New York’s unsold apartments falling from the peaks of April. Our projections of a 4th Quarter level of stability are appearing to be valid. In the real estate market there are few trusted sources and AccuriZ has been proven to be an authoritative source consistently.

For more statistical reports on property data from public records and property valuations click here.

Could Your Real Estate Blog Be In Trouble With The FTC?

In the news industry, it is unethical for a reporter to accept gifts (monetary or material) in exchange for a favorable story. The same is now being implemented in the blogging world. According to a recent article, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) will fine bloggers $11,000 if blog post are made in exchange for good services from vendors. So real estate bloggers beware; that next blog post or statistical reports done quid pro quo could cost you $11,000. The lines between actual news reporting and blogging are becoming more and more blurred. As the credibility and outreach of blogging increases, I expect to see more strict guidelines for us.
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