RIS Media Consumer News

Consumer News tips and advice from RISMedia.com

  • U.S. Foreclosure Activity Decreases 2% in February 2010 March 11, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—RealtyTrac, a leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its February 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions—were reported on 308,524 U.S. properties during the month, a decrease of…
  • Appraisal Institute Opposes Obama Administration’s Plan for Homeowner Short Sales March 10, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—Citing concerns about increased mortgage fraud, four organizations representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers recently voiced their opposition to changes to an Obama administration program that will encourage short sales of homes. The coalition was led by…
  • Home Values for Older Americans Begin to Rebound in Fourth Quarter 2009 March 9, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 10, 2010—Golden Gateway Financial, a financial resource for seniors and retirees, recently released new usage data from its online Reverse Mortgage Calculator that showed average home values for older Americans have halted their slide after remaining flat or declining…
  • NAHB Commends President’s Proposed Energy Efficiency Incentives March 8, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 9, 2010—Home energy efficiency incentives proposed by President Barack Obama will create much-needed jobs and help make America more energy independent, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Speaking recently in Savannah, GA., President Obama outlined a…
  • Buyers Shift More Firmly into Driver’s Seat during January 2010 March 7, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 8, 2010—For the second month in a row, home buyers across much of the country negotiated bigger discounts off the last listing price of homes than they had the prior month, according to new data from real estate website…
  • Home Sales Dip in January 2010 March 7, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 8, 2010—(MCT)—In another sign that the foundation of the U.S. housing recovery might be shaky, the number of homes placed under sales contract fell 7.6% in January 2010, according to a national index. The National Association of Realtors recently…
  • NAHB Reminds Home Buyers: Tax Credit Expiring Soon March 4, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 5, 2010—The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wants potential home buyers to be aware that they still have the opportunity to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer or $6,500 repeat buyer tax credits, as long…
  • More Government Help Coming to Homeowners in California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Michigan February 28, 2010
    RISMEDIA, March 1, 2010—President Obama recently announced an additional $1.5 billion in homeowner aid for the areas of the country hardest-hit by declining home values. Florida, Michigan, Arizona, California and Nevada are the five states that will receive funds. Speaking from Henderson,…
  • 11.3 Million Homeowners Underwater on Mortgage February 25, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 26, 2010—(MCT)—More than 11.3 million homeowners—nearly one-fourth of all Americans with a mortgage—owe more on their loan than their home is now worth, according to a report recently released by FirstAmerican CoreLogic. More than 10% of people with mortgages…
  • C.A.R. Reports Entry-Level Housing Affordability Remained at 64 Percent in Fourth Quarter 2009 February 24, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 25, 2010—The percentage of households that could afford to buy an entry-level home in California remained at 64% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with 61% (revised) for the same period a year ago, according to a report…
  • Obama Targeting Homeowners with $1.5 Billion in Assistance February 22, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 23, 2010—(MCT)—Facing millions of foreclosures and high unemployment, President Barack Obama recently announced a $1.5 billion fund to help unemployed homeowners and other struggling borrowers in a handful of states. “What we can do is help families that have done…
  • Housing Starts Rise in January 2010 February 21, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 22, 2010—Nationwide housing production hit its strongest pace in the last six months this January, posting a 2.8% gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 591,000 units, according to figures recently released by the U.S. Commerce Department. “Builders are…
  • Mortgage Modifications Up in January 2010 February 18, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 19, 2010—(MCT)—The number of mortgages with permanently lowered monthly payments under the Obama administration’s foreclosure prevention program increased dramatically in January 2010. In all, the number went up to 116,297, with an additional 76,482 modifications approved and awaiting acceptance…
  • Administration Hopes to Make Mortgage Modification Program More Effective February 17, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 18, 2010—(MCT)—Experts fear a new wave of foreclosures will hit this year as prolonged unemployment makes it difficult for millions of homeowners to pay their mortgages—and many of them aren’t likely to get much help from a federal…
  • National Association of Realtors Launches New Consumer Website February 17, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 18, 2010—The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) announced the launch of HouseLogic, a new, comprehensive consumer website about all aspects of homeownership. HouseLogic helps homeowners make smart decisions and take responsible actions to maintain, protect and increase the…
  • Appraisal Management Companies Ready for New FHA Appraisal Rules February 16, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 17, 2010—Title/Appraisal Vendor Management Association (TAVMA), the trade association that represents one of the nation’s largest appraisal management companies (AMCs), said recently that its members are prepared to help lenders comply with the changes in appraisal ordering announced…
  • Design Dilemmas Solved February 15, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 16, 2010—We gathered the most common questions about decorating with rugs, and then sat down with Lowe’s Vice President of Trend, Design & Brand Melissa Birdsong to find solutions that will work for your space. Q. Is it OK…
  • Existing-Home Sales Surge in Most States in Fourth Quarter February 14, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 15, 2010—Strong gains in existing-home sales were the predominant pattern in most states during the fourth quarter, with many more metro areas seeing prices rise from a year earlier, according to the latest survey by the National Association of…
  • Regional Spotlight: Miami Foreclosure Auctions Shift from Courthouse Steps to Web February 13, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 13, 2010—(MCT)-In a move that could speed the sale of massive numbers of distressed properties on the market, Miami-Dade County recently launched online bidding for foreclosures, bringing together bidders from across the globe and launching hopes of an accelerated…
  • Homeowners Rent Out Rooms to Stave off Foreclosure February 11, 2010
    RISMEDIA, February 12, 2010—(MCT)—Reeling from the recession’s one-two-three-punch of job woes, climbing mortgage payments and evaporating equity, desperate homeowners are dipping into a nearby income stream to avoid foreclosure: That bedroom just down the hall. While renting out a room has been…

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