Archive for October 2008

Fed cuts key interest rate half-point to 1 percent

Oct 29th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Financial News

The central bank on Wednesday reduced its target for the federal funds rate, the interest banks charge on overnight loans, to 1 percent, a low last seen in 2003-2004. The funds rate has not been lower since 1958, when Dwight Eisenhower was president.
In a brief statement explaining Wednesday‘s action, the Fed said the “intensification of [...]



Real estate auction of 13 Sylvan Lake Condominiums in Bradley Beach NJ

Oct 29th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Real Estate Auctions

Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co is hosting preview open houses for the elegant Sylvan Lake Condominiums in Bradley Beach. Thirteen well appointed condominiums and two commercial/retail properties are being auction Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm at the Sheraton Eatontown, NJ.
The classic, spacious condominiums overflow with upscale amenities. The condominiums 9′ ceilings, two [...]



Close-out auction of 7 new luxury townhomes in Brewerytown Square, Philadelphia

Oct 29th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Real Estate Auctions

Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company will be auctioning seven new luxury townhomes at Westrum Development’s popular Brewerytown Square, located in the historic Brewerytown section of Philadelphia.
Brewerytown Square, Phase I close out of seven new residences at 31st & Thompson Streets, Philadelphia, PA, includes a total of 144 townhomes, with the close out consisting [...]



Rent prices on the rise in Boston

Oct 29th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Northeast Region

Rising rents in the Boston area are forcing families to spend a higher portion of their income on housing costs, according to the Boston Foundation’s Housing Report Card, which was released yesterday.
Globe reporter Kimberly Blanton writes about the foundation report and rent prices in the city in today’s Business section.
At the same time, renter incomes [...]



Next Steps to Resolve the Mortgage Crisis

Oct 29th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Financial News

There is bipartisan agreement today that stemming home foreclosures and restructuring troubled mortgages would slow the downward spiral harming financial institutions and the real American economy. The federal government possesses a range of tools to take action, but what’s missing is a way to persuade the mortgage servicers who control most of these loans on [...]



30-year mortgage rates drop to five-week low

Oct 28th, 2008 | By Gregory Arzumanov | Category: Financial News

WASHINGTON - Oct. 24, 2008 - Rates on 30-year U.S. mortgages dropped sharply this week, falling to the lowest level in five weeks.
Mortgage giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.04 percent this week, down from 6.46 percent last week. The sharp decline pushed 30-year rates down to the lowest level since [...]



Other woes make foreclosure crisis hard to break

Oct 28th, 2008 | By Gregory Arzumanov | Category: Housing News

WASHINGTON - Oct. 28, 2008 - Each day from July through September, more than 2,700 Americans lost their homes in foreclosure.
That number, up from 1,200 per day a year ago, is a sign that the mortgage industry and government programs have done little to help troubled homeowners.
The mortgage market’s troubles have proved to be far [...]



212,000 borrowers avoid foreclosure in September

Oct 27th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: Financial News

Mortgage lenders have helped nearly 2.5 million troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure since the mortgage meltdown began in the summer of 2007.
That’s according to the latest report from Hope Now, the coalition of banks, mortgage-securities investors and housing counselors formed by the Bush administration to stem the foreclosure crisis.
Hope Now members helped 212,000 borrowers stay in [...]



Feds probe foreclosure scams

Oct 27th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: West Region

The Justice Department is gearing up to probe potential scams targeting distressed homeowners in San Joaquin Valley.
Last week, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Modesto, urged Attorney General Michael Mukasey to investigate mortgage-reduction schemes now being marketed through the Valley. For an upfront fee, homeowners are being told, their monthly mortgage payments can be renegotiated.
At best, the homeowners [...]



Real Estate Agents: Dubai Real Estate Boom Is Ending

Oct 27th, 2008 | By RT Staff | Category: International Realty

A six-year real estate boom in Dubai that spurred a $475 billion building frenzy has ended, according to agents who say sales are collapsing amid fears that the global economic downturn will hit the sheikdom.
“Last month was a real disaster and worse is coming I guess,” Mehdi Zoghbi, an agent at Middle East Real Estate [...]