Freddie Mac executives are sounding out private-equity firms and other investors about the possibility of buying new common or preferred shares in the mortgage company.
But that effort is running up against what may be an insurmountable hurdle: Many investors fear any money they invest now in Freddie or its main rival, Fannie Mae, will be [...]

Washington will give funds to states and cities to rehab houses. Proponents say it will help stabilize neighborhoods, but others say it’s too little to do much good.
NEW YORK – City officials and community activists can’t wait to get their hands on nearly $4 billion the federal government is about to inject into blighted neighborhoods [...]

WASHINGTON – Aug. 1, 2008 – Rates on 30-year mortgages, which shot up last week to the highest level in nearly a year, dropped slightly this week following passage of a housing rescue bill.
Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the nationwide average for 30-year mortgages dipped to 6.52 percent this week, down from 6.63 percent last [...]