Mortgage Training Institute

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/story_content.asp?story_uid=26042&prodtype=mtg

Survey day & reader feedback

Bankrate's weekly mortgage survey comes out today.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/story_content.asp?story_uid=26038&prodtype=mtg

Wachovia: Bye payment-option

Wachovia won't charge prepayment penalties to customers who want to refinance out of payment-option mortgages.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/story_content.asp?story_uid=26035&prodtype=mtg

Is the Fed truthful?

Fed says economy is firming up, but I'm curious as to which economic data they're looking at, and whether their information is old.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/story_content.asp?story_uid=26010&prodtype=mtg

A wacky housing bill

The Senate is about to pass a problematic bill to address the housing meltdown.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/story_content.asp?story_uid=26008&prodtype=mtg

HUD Press Releases

HUD ANNOUNCES DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR MISSOURI STORM VICTIMS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to seven storm-ravaged counties in Missouri and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms and flooding. This assistance includes foreclosure relief for families whose homes are insured through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) living in Clark, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Ralls, and St. Charles Counties.

http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-095.cfm

NEW HUD SECRETARY TOURS NEW ORLEANS, MEETS WITH MAYOR

NEW ORLEANS - On his first visit to New Orleans as the new head of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary Steve Preston toured some of the city's public housing communities, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new community center, visited a family that used a HUD program to become first-time homeowners, and met with Mayor Ray Nagin to get a briefing on the city's ongoing recovery.

http://www.hud.gov/content/releases/pr08-094.cfm

HUD SECRETARY HIGHLIGHTS FAITH-BASED CONTRIBUTIONS TO FIGHTING HOMELESSNESS

WASHINGTON - Faith-based organizations are making a huge difference in the Bush Administration's efforts to reduce homelessness, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston said today. Addressing the White House National Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conference, Prestonhighlighted the Administration's partnership with faith-based and community organizations and steps being taken to reduce chronic homelessness, especially among veterans.

http://www.hud.gov/content/releases/pr08-093.cfm

HUD CHARGES ALABAMA MOBILE HOME PARK OWNERS WITH DISCRIMINATING AGAINST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Pina and Arthur Witherington, joint owners, agents and managers of Pina's Mobile Home Park in Daphne, Alabama, with discriminating against families by charging additional rental fees to families with children, and limiting the number of children allowed to occupy a mobile home.

http://www.hud.gov/content/releases/pr08-092.cfm

HUD ACCEPTS $350 MILLION MISSISSIPPI PLAN TO PRODUCE THOUSANDS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS FOR WORKING FAMILIES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today accepted a $350 million plan by the State of Mississippi to produce thousands of affordable housing units for working families who continue to experience a chronic housing shortage in the State. Mississippi's Long Term Workforce Housing Plan will provide grants and loans to local communities, nonprofit organizations and private developers to produce approximately 12,000 affordable homes in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, and Pearl River counties.

http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr08-089.cfm

Mortgage News | Quicken Loans

Enjoy July 4th by being environmentally aware

There are many ways to celebrate the 4th of July while staying environmentally friendly - go green on the 4th!

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/enjoy-july-4th-by-being-environmentally-aware-5391

Report Shows Mortgage Rates Still Attractive

This morning the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced that overall mortgage activity, which includes applications for a mortgage to both purchase and refinance a home, increased 3.6 percent last week compared to the week prior.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/report-shows-mortgage-rates-still-attractive-5390

Mortgage Rates Lower on Jumbo Loans for People in 3,000 U.S. Counties

Congress has lifted the conforming loan limits in thousands of counties across the country. The government is allowing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy more -- and larger – loans. And the FHA has rolled out its jumbo loan. So what does it all mean for you? Well, if you’re a homeowner, or even thinking about becoming one, you may just find it’s easier to get approved for a loan.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/mortgage-rates-lower-on-jumbo-loans-for-people-in-3-000-us.-counties-5389

Selling Your Home With Fathead

Sometimes, it's the extra personal touches to your home that motivate buyers to make an offer.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/selling-your-home-with-fathead-5388

Federal Reserve Leaves Rate Unchanged

The pause was widely anticipated by financial markets, which were focused more on the language of the announcement to see what degree of concern the Fed has over rising inflation versus a struggling economy.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/federal-reserve-leaves-rate-unchanged-5387

FHA Loans Go Big, Way Big, as In Jumbo Loan Sized

FHA loan limits were raised by Congress and now include some loans that previously were labeled as Jumbo Loans. Folks looking to refinance or buy a home should take advantage of low housing prices and higher FHA loan values.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/fha-loans-go-big-way-big-as-in-jumbo-loan-sized-5386

Does someone you know need a reverse mortgage?

In today's economy, chances are you know someone, even a loved one, who may be struggling financially. If staying in the home they love is important, exploring the option of a reverse mortgage could be the key to making it all work.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/does-someone-you-know-need-a-reverse-mortgage-5384

Rates Improve For Some Loans On Pricey Homes

In an effort to boost the struggling economy, Congress voted some months ago to raise the conventional home loan limits. In the past few weeks, the rates on the new "jumbo loans" have dropped considerably.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/rates-improve-for-some-loans-on-pricey-homes-5385

Mortgage Applications Drop, FHA Loans Remain Strong

The Mortgage Bankers Association announced this morning that applications for mortgages dropped 8.7% last week compared to the week prior. This should come as no surprise, as last week saw rates climb to their highest levels in some time. FHA loans remain strong and are helping consumers.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/mortgage-applications-drop-fha-loans-remains-strong-5383

Mortgage Calculators and Websites make Home Buying Easier Than Ever

There was a time when getting information on mortgage rates, home affordability (as in how much home you can afford), pre-qualifying for a mortgage, and even your current home's value was no easy task. It required doing lots of research - making numerous phone calls, visiting banks and probably real estate offices. Not anymore.

https://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage-news/mortgage-calculators-and-websites-make-home-buying-easier-than-ever-5381

Daily Mortgage Update by Interest.com

1. Mortgage rates fell this week -- and should level off -- after the Fed stopped pushing rates up

http://mortgages.interest.com/content/trends/article.asp?ID=2006892350LJDOJELQIHBUITZGXGZBOIHENLXIUX

2. Mortgage rates fell this week -- and should level off -- after the Fed stopped pushing rates up

http://mortgages.interest.com/content/trends/article.asp?ID=20068923114IFAKFBHNEEXREPWDUCVXKEDAJITEQT

3. Mortgage rates fell again this week -- could the peak be past?

http://mortgages.interest.com/content/trends/article.asp?ID=200682224824JHBLGCJOFFZSGRXEVEXZMGEBKJUFSU

4. Mortgage rates keep falling this week . Could they have peaked after steadily increasing for two years?

http://mortgages.interest.com/content/trends/article.asp?ID=200682224514LJDOJELQIIBUITZHXGZBOIHENLXIUX

Bankrate.com: Mortgage Matters Blog Headlines

HUD Press Releases

Mortgage News | Quicken Loans

Daily Mortgage Update by Interest.com