Shadow Inventory is Down

The number of homes lurking in the nation’s “shadow inventory” has dropped 18 percent over the past year and 28 percent over three years, reducing the threat to home prices that such distressed properties posed in the past. Irvine-based data firm CoreLogic reported that as of January, 2.2 million U.S. homes were in the shadow …

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Buyers pay premium for move-in-ready homes

First impressions are lasting. Home buyers and real estate agents remember what they see, not what you say your home will look like after you reduce the clutter, paint, and replace outdated floor coverings and light fixtures. Most people don’t have the ability to visualize how a home will look spruced up. If you show …

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Three scams to avoid when locking your loan

Q: I’m trying to get a better understanding of private mortgage insurance (PMI). I understand the fundamentals and that it usually equals 1/2 percent-1 percent of the mortgage, but what I’m not sure about is how it is paid. Is the PMI paid each year until you reach the 20 percent mortgage-to-value ratio? Can you …

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Foreclosures experience a drop

“Foreclosure home sales dropped significantly in the third quarter of 2012 (3Q 2012). The number of real estate owned property (REO) resales experienced an equally dramatic drop from the first quarter. Notice of default (NOD) filings decreased as well. REO resales are down 23,000 REO resales took place in the 3Q 2012.  That is: one-fifth …

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