General

Looks like the HARP program is going to get some modifications that might allow you to refinance at the lower rates that are available today.  If you have not used … Read more

HUD is looking at a range of options for the inventory of foreclosed houses that the government is sitting on including turning them into rentals. http://www.fhfa.gov/webfiles/22367/FHFARFIReleaseFinal.pdf http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/can-a-new-plan-to-rent-out-foreclosed-properties-actually-work/2011/08/10/gIQAO0YA7I_blog.html

A blog post from Marcus Millichap that has some data on the double dip in real estate.  One interesting piece of data was the estimate that 28% of single family … Read more

A good interview with Professor Robert Shiller.  As he said, “it’s very hard to forecast”.  Nobody knows. http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/shiller-housing-could-fall-another-25-harder-predict-112122844.html?sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode=

If you purchase a house for $150,000 and finance it with a 75% LTV loan at 4 5/8 over 30 years, what will be your payment? (The answer will be … Read more

A homeowner’s insurance policy can either be paid with a one-time payment of $651 or with a payment of $139.41 now and $61.29 for 10 months. If you chose to pay … Read more

Interesting insights about investing in stocks from James Altucher.  A lot of interesting points even if you aren’t investing in staocks.  You can read the summary or watch the 6 … Read more

  Delinquency notices are slowing but there is still a lot of foreclosure inventory in the system. http://www.lpsvcs.com/NewsRoom/Pages/20110328.aspx

You purchase a rental for $25,000 and put another $15,000 into it for repairs.  You borrow $40,000 at 8% amortized over 15 years.  The house will rent for $1100 a … Read more

Finally some good news from Washington, D.C.  On April 5th, the senate passed HR4 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr4enr/pdf/BILLS-112hr4enr.pdf) which will now go to the president which he is expected to allow to become … Read more