‘Flopping’ scam enables fraudulent flipping in housing market

Although reports of mortgage fraud nationally fell 41 percent in 2010 from 2009, the continuing downturn in the housing market has fostered new ways of perpetrating it, experts say. Consider “flopping” — the intentional misrepresentation of housing value for purposes of illegal flipping. Here’s how it works: A real-estate agent or broker identifies properties with [...]

Washington State Mortgage Rates This Week : May 31, 2011

Mortgage markets improved last week ahead of Memorial Day and a 3-day weekend. Bond pricing ending the week higher

Rebuilding scores — if you ask

Some credit experts call it the best-kept secret in home-mortgage finance. Others say, so what? Millions of Americans whose credit scores have declined in recent years because of economic stresses could start rebuilding their scores if their rent, utilities, cellphone, insurance and other monthly accounts were reported to the national credit bureaus. But typically they [...]

Mortgages, foreclosures top agenda at BofA meeting

Foreclosures and home-mortgage modifications took center stage at Bank of America annual meeting last week. Outside the headquarters of the nation’s largest bank, protesters held signs and gave testimonials about their own foreclosure experiences. At the meeting, which was held inside the bank’s new 32-story building adjacent to its headquarters, shareholders confronted CEO Brian Moynihan [...]

Commercial Real Estate Slowly Turning Around

Sales and leasing volumes in commercial real estate have turned a corner and are heading up, but because the past few years have been so difficult, the upturn barely feels like one. However, the sector is expected to strengthen more over the next couple of years, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun told commercial real estate [...]

Washington State Mortgage Rates This Week : May 9, 2011

This week, there isn’t much economic news set for release so the above stories will continue to influence markets and rates. Geopolitics can change quickly, though, so if you’re floating a mortgage rate and waiting for the bottom, don’t wait too long. Markets can reverse in a snap.

Rate on 30-year fixed mortgage falls to 4.71%, lowest of year – USATODAY.com

Rate on 30-year fixed mortgage falls to 4.71%, lowest of year http://usat.me/46835962

In Time for Buying Season, Rates Reach Yearly Lows

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, a popular choice among buyers, sank even lower this week, matching its yearly low of 4.71 percent from January, reports Freddie Mac in its weekly mortgage market survey. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5 percent. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed-rate hit a new yearly low of 3.89 [...]

Washington State HomePath Buyer Incentive Offer

receive up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance through June 30, 2011 as part of the HomePath buyer incentive.

Washington State Mortgage Rates This Week : May 2, 2011

Mortgage rates in Tacoma are now scraping their lowest levels of the year.