Federal Reserve

Making it Rain? Not so Fast! Banks Ease Lending Requirements, But New Mortgage Rules Will Manage Some Risk

By Joanna England / June 25, 2013 /

Interesting story in the Los Angeles Times. According to their business desk, banks are easing lending restrictions and lending more freely, using “creative financing,” which could bring more risk to the market. The story, which talks about “piggyback financing” and other risky mortgage loans, says that with higher prices comes more risk in housing finance.…

Read More

Bernake Talks to Home Builders: Weak Housing Impeding Recovery. Translation to DC: It’s Still About the Lending, Stupid

By Candy Evans / February 12, 2012 /

Just to show you how crucial housing and home building remains to the nation’s economic recovery, Fed Chairman Ben Bernake rubbed shoulders (and used hand gestures) with Bob the Builders last week in Orlando. His talk was the hottest ticket in town at the 2012 National Association of Home Builders International Builders Show in Orlando. Dallas photographer…

Read More

It’s The Lending, Stupid. Here’s What The Government Can Do To Help Housing Get Out of the Funk

By Candy Evans / January 23, 2012 /

We see it even in Texas: price declines, low mortgage rates and rising rents have made owning more affordable now than renting. But despite agents’ most positive view of the Dallas real estate market, housing is still kind of stuck in the mud, even here. Many markets report continued price declines, while Dallas is struck by another problem: lack…

Read More