In describing the housing market as in “pre-covery” instead of “recovery”, the only factor that has really changed in the housing market is falling inventory, according to Jonathan Miller, writing on the millersamuelblog. He says falling inventory is the result of sellers becoming buyers (or renters), but with 40 percent […]
Falling Inventory (and not much else) is Driving Prices Read More
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) reports the number of improving housing markets grew in Feb. to 259, up from 242 markets in Jan., and now includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The IMI measures changes in housing permits, employment, and
NAHB: Housing Market Continues Upward Read More
CNNMoney tells MHProNews investors are dashing to buy assets in every aspect of the housing supply chain—builders, undeveloped land, foreclosed homes, and building suppliers. Paulson and Co. has bought enough land in three western states to build up to 25,000 homes and is looking for more. Blackstone Group (BX) shelled
Investors Looking to Cash in on Housing Market Rebirth Read More
According to atl.gmnews, some 17 manufactured homes are being prepared for occupancy at Pine Tree Mobile Home Park in Eatonton, New Jersey for people who still do not have a place to call home as the result of Hurricane Sandy. The rents will be from $750 to $850 with the
Hurricane Sandy Homeless Still being Placed Read More
HousingWire reports that non-profit NeighborWorks America and Wells Fargo have provided $27 million in down payment assistance grants to help 1,624 moderate-income buyers purchase a home. Initially begun in Los Angeles and Atlanta in 2012, the program has provided $15,000 to $30,000 down payment grants to those who meet the
Private, Non-profit Support Affordable Housing Read More
Seacoastonline reports from Saddle River, New Jersey that the image of factory-built homes is notching up, as investors and high-end home shoppers see the benefits of an energy-efficient modular home with all the amenities and strength of a site-built home, customized to order via a 3D monitor and working with
Modular Swinging Upscale Read More
According to what nationalmortgagenews tells MHProNews, Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry says the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the “specialist examiner” while the other three regulatory agencies are “general practitioners.” Speaking to consumer compliance examiners, he stresses the importance of regulators working together on Dodd-Frank because “Some of
The CFPB as Regulatory Surgeon Read More
TotalMortgage informs MHProNews if you live in a rural area and meet the income qualifications you may be eligible for a USDA Home Loan, with no down payment, 100% financing including closing costs, government guaranteed and competitive rates. Part of the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Rural Development Single Family Housing
USDA Loans Include HUD and MOD Read More
CNNMoney says the S&P CaseShiller home price index (HPI) of 20 major metropolitan markets indicates prices in Nov. were up 5.5 percent over Nov. 2011, the largest monthly increase since Aug. 2006, before the housing balloon deflated. As MHProNews understands, rising prices means fewer homeowners will be underwater on their
Underwater Borrowers Beginning to Float? Read More
The HudsonReporter informs MHProNews, following a lengthy process of having chromium- contaminated land cleaned up in Jersey City, New Jersey, a consortium of non-profits and for profits witnessed the arrival of 22 modular townhomes that will be known as Jackson Green on Rose Avenue, in the Martin Luther King Drive
Modular Homes Rising across from NYC Read More
According to nationalmortgagenews, new home sales in Dec. 2012 dropped 7.3 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 369,000 units from 398,000 in Nov., which marked a two-and-a-half-year high. The Census Bureau estimates new home sales increased 20 percent from 2011 to 367,000 units for 2012. While there were
Housing Indicators Shining into 2013 Read More
DesertDispatch reports from Barstow, Calif. in San Bernardino County a factory-built home sold to a family at the Hacienda Mobile Home Park was alleged to have black mold, running sewage, an open electrical panel and a leaking water heater. Deemed uninhabitable by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development, Hacienda
State: MHC Sold Unlivable Home Read More
Adding onto an MHProNews story from Jan. 21 about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new mortgage servicing rules, the Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) offers a detailed summary from the American Banker’s Association (ABA). CFPB director Richard Cordray says, “We will exercise our supervision and enforcement authority to make
Details on New Mortgage Servicing Read More
CNNMoney reports according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) sales of previously owned homes in 2012 recorded their best year since 2007, nine percent over 2011, to 4.65 million homes sold. As MHProNews has learned, Dec. year-over-year sales were up 12.8 percent. NAR says low interest rates, falling unemployment,
2012 Home Sales Best since Downturn Read More
SFGate reports modular builder Greenfab of Seattle will have two fully-constructed modular homes on display at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builder’s Show (IBS) in Las Vegas Jan. 22-24. The builder of the first modular LEED Platinum home in the state of Washington last year, Greenfab is
Modular at International Builder’s Show Read More
According to nationalmortgagenews, a final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asserts mortgage applicants must be provided with all appraisal and and other home-value estimates by the lender before closing. Says CFPB director Richard Cordray, “This rule will guarantee consumers can receive important information on how a lender
CFPB: Appraisal Transparency in Lending Read More
Although they did not win the competition sponsored by Alltech of Nicholasville, Kent., to create jobs in eastern Kent., students from the University of Louisville proposed mixed-income, single-family modular homes selling for $110,000 each that would create 122 jobs. Utilizing design work created by a partnership with the University of
Kent. Students Design Modular Homes Read More
As the nationalmortgagenews tells MHProNews, while the much-awaited Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Qualified Mortgage rule issued Jan. 10 covers rules to determine borrowers’ ability to repay loans and lenders’ protection from liability, it fails to address a required minimum downpayment. Regulators had originally proposed a 20% minimum, but need
Minimum Downpayment not Specified by CFPB Read More
The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) reports the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a final rule on the testing of roof trusses in high wind zones for manufactured housing, and is following some of the recommendations made by the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC).
MHARR: HUD’s New Truss Tests add Costs Read More
From HousingWire comes news that all 12 Federal Reserve districts indicate the economy is growing, at least moderately, in their areas, according to the Beige Book. Loan demand grew in New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta but fell slightly in St. Louis. While posting a modicum of growth in loan
The Fed Says: Economy is Gaining Strength Read More
