Builder Magazine: Mortgages and Banking

Foreclosures Plummet on California Legislation

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:19:20 EST

The new restrictions drove foreclosure starts to a 79-month low in January.

Perception Is Reality in How Lenders See Builders

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:29:44 EST

More than ever, creditworthiness is in the eye of the beholder, says one financial consultant.

Mobile Apps: Epicor

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:25:52 EST

The global software retailer developed a mobile module for its sales system, allowing reps whose firms use its software to view inventory, pricing, product availability, and other customer data in real-time.

Mobile Apps: MiTek

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:29:20 EST

Building material suppliers can collaborate with their contractor and builder customers using MiTek’s Mobile Viewer.

Lending Remains Key for New-Home Sales

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:16:22 EST

Cash-only purchases of new homes appear to be declining.

From Start to Finish: Keeping the Active House on Budget

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 12:55:53 EST

An energy-efficiency loan is key to the success of the Active House USA project.

NAHB Calls for Overhauling the Appraisal System

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 02:42:58 EST

Its “blueprint” for reform focuses on streamlining standards and their enforcement, expanding education and training, and upgrading real estate data.

FHA to Tighten Underwriting, Raise Premiums

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:30:55 EST

The effort to boost capital reserves also includes changes to reverse mortgage offerings.

Foreclosure Activity Hit 68-Month Low in December

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:53:41 EST

Foreclosure filings were down 3% in 2012 from 2011, and down 36% from the peak of 2.9 million properties in 2010.

Public Builders Vs. Private Builders

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:59:00 EST

The plumbing line for capital is wide for publics, narrow for privates.

Housing in 2013: What’s In, What’s Out

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:14:52 EST

What a difference a year makes. 2012 was the year the housing recovery came to life – with the market now stronger than anyone dared hope for a year ago. Here’s what 2013 has in store.

Foreclosure Starts Plummeted in November

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:38:06 EST

Repossessions, however, marked a nine-month high and registered the first year-over-year gain seen since the robo-signing controversy came to light.

New Ad Campaign Seeks to Extend Mortgage Relief's Reach

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:08:53 EST

The government's latest push to spread the word about the Make Home Affordable Program seeks to assuage owners' anxieties about seeking help.

Foreclosures Up as Outside Influences Sway Data

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 03:32:47 EST

Hurricane Sandy is the latest addition to a growing list of factors obscuring the data on distressed properties.

Will FHA’s Latest Capital Shortfall Require a Taxpayer Bailout?

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 10:53:36 EST

An audit report is said to show delinquent loans evaporating the agency’s cash reserves.

The Future of Mortgage Finance Might Not Look Too Different From the Present

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:22:30 EST

Builders insist a government backstop remains critical to the continued flow of home buyer credit.

Right Away, Housing Challenges for Obama

Fri, 9 Nov 2012 01:55:45 EST

Fiscal cliff negotiations may include homeowner tax breaks.

What Obama’s Re-Election Means for Housing

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 03:21:06 EST

Refinancing, new mortgage regulations, and the mortgage interest deduction all won on Tuesday. But the best shot at more principal reductions might have been lost.

Changes to MID Seen as Increasingly Likely

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:06:34 EST

The consequences of eliminating or limiting the tax break for mortgage borrowers are being debated.

Fannie Mae Recongizes NGBS Certification in Multifamily Green Initiative

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:51:26 EST

Certification by the NAHB Research Center to the National Green Building Standard is applicable for the secondary mortgage lender's green mortgage backed security designation.