The economic downturn of 2008 was the largest since the Great Depression, and it inspired in turn the most aggressive series of federal economic policies since the New Deal, especially in the form of special tax breaks and deductions.

Back in November, new GSE guidelines took effect that promised a great streamlining of the short sale and deed in lieu process, and for the most part they have. I have seen short sale times fall dramatically, and with

Does the name “Mel Watt” ring a bell? No? Well, come Tuesday, he could become the most important person in your professional life. Let’s start with a simple quiz: who is Mel Watt, and why is he important for

I received no less than three phone calls last week from people who wanted to know if I had heard anything about whether the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 was being extended. I’m flattered that people see me

While housing marches to the slow, steady drumbeat of recovery, the grass is getting greener and optimism is creeping back into the hearts and minds of both real estate professionals and homeowners. But the wild ride isn’t over, and

500? 620? 740? What is the minimum credit score needed to get a mortgage? There’s a lot of disconnect between the “official” requirements and the scores that actually get people approved for home financing. Articles online show minimum FICO

We’re now two days away from a government default, an event that would spell nothing but trouble for the nation’s housing market. We’re now drawing uncomfortably close to a government default, and though we have written on a couple

Lately, there has been much made of the current “housing recovery,” with many thinking that the market turn around has begun and that the end is near for short sales. I could not disagree more, and here’s why: 1.

The laws about disclosing if a house is “haunted” vary from state to state. In Massachusetts The possibility of a property being “psychologically impacted” isn’t considered a “material fact required to be disclosed” to potential buyers. In Virginia Emotional defects like

Janet Yellen, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Reserve, brings a unique combination of the old and the new to the position. President Obama yesterday announced Janet Yellen as his choice to head the Federal Reserve and take

It’s been several days now of the government shutdown, and it’s becoming more clear how it could potentially impact the housing market. The government shutdown went into effect at midnight on Oct. 1, and ever since then, there has

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stated on Friday that it would need approximately $1.7 billion in Treasury funds for the 2013 fiscal year, though there are some intriguing caveats to the nature of the bailout funds. This is the

A government shutdown is looming in Washington, and should one occur, it could have wide-ranging effects on the nation’s economy – including housing. Well, it’s that time again. As you’ve surely seen in the headlines, political gridlock has once

The housing market has undergone yet another pronounced change in the last couple months, bringing about a whole new set of trends to follow. It was early 2013, and it finally seemed, after a prolonged slumber, that housing was

Everyone has been holding their breath on when the higher mortgage rates will impact home sales; when exactly will that happen, though? When mortgage rates began their dramatic rise back in May, it was more a matter of “when”

After decreasing the loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2011, it appears the government is prepping for another mandated decline. In an effort to further lessen the government’s role in the housing market, federal officials are