Average Mortgage Rates Fall to Record Lows

This week, the average rates on fixed and adjustable mortgages have reached an all-time low. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, 15-year fixed-rate loans dropped to 3.21 percent while five-year adjustable rate mortgages also plummeted to 2.86 percent. The current rates remained at solid low points for the past few months until this week. Freddie Mac says these …

Fannie and Freddie Suspend Eviction Activity for the Holiday Season

Struggling home owners facing eviction will be given a break by Fannie and Freddie during the holidays this year. A moratorium on their home’s eviction proceedings will begin on December 19th and end shortly after the New Year on January 2nd. The two banks along with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase will allow families who have received foreclosure …

Has the Foreclosure Crisis Peaked in San Diego County?

The imminent threat of foreclosures persists throughout California due to a significant decrease in asset values compounded with high debt levels, continued economic instability, and a general lack of liquidity in the marketplace. While many counties in California, particularly Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, and Kern counties are suffering from exceptionally high foreclosure rates, San Diego County’s foreclosure crisis has …

Over-Leverage isn’t Just a Problem for Homeowners

Hotel Del Coronado (HDC) finds itself in a position common to many struggling homeowners.  Over-leveraged and looking for a way to get out from underneath the crushing weight of a mountain of debt and the pending doom of a very large balloon payment on the horizon.   It appears Blackstone Group (BX) sees an opportunity in purchasing the historic hotel while …

Forbes Ranks San Diego in Top 5 Housing Markets for 2011 and Beyond

In a recent analysis on home value outlook for 2011, Forbes has ranked San Diego number 5 of 315 housing markets nationally for home price appreciation. The finance publication, citing data from Local Market Monitor, predicts median home price increases for San Diego at 2% annually through 2013. The company analyzed data from real estate markets throughout the nation and …