underwater | firsttuesday Journal

Appraisals in a declining market — and why it matters in 2022

by Carrie B. Reyes | Aug 5, 2022 | Appraisal, Feature Articles, Home Sales, Real Estate, Recessions | 1

After two years of rapid price increases, appraisers will need to make a quick shift when prices dive later in 2022.

California underwater homeowner numbers to increase

by ft Editorial Staff | Feb 4, 2021 | Charts, Economics, Mortgages, Real Estate | 7

Underwater homes were at their bottom in 2020.

Are we heading toward a foreclosure crisis in 2020?

by Carrie B. Reyes | Mar 24, 2020 | Economics, Feature Articles, Interest Rates, Recessions | 0

We are in the middle of a unique, global economic moment and the end result is still out of reach.

Q2 2016 saw the fewest foreclosures in California since the Great Recession

by Carrie B. Reyes | Sep 12, 2016 | Bay Area, Los Angeles-Santa Barbara-Ventura, Mortgages | 1

California has one of the lowest foreclosure inventories in the nation.

California real estate and the PATH Act — what you need to know

by ft Editorial Staff | Apr 25, 2016 | New Laws, Real Estate | 0

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act is a multi-billion dollar piece of federal legislation with minor consequences for California real estate.

Are underwater homes here to stay?

by Carrie B. Reyes | Apr 25, 2016 | Mortgages | 1

Homeowners with negative equity still make up as much as 20% of all homeowners in some parts of California.

Mortgage default usually the last resort, new study claims

by Carrie B. Reyes | Mar 28, 2016 | Mortgages | 0

Contrary to assumptions, strategic default is rare. In most cases struggling homeowners with limited ability to pay by and large continue to make payments on their mortgage, regardless of underwater status.

May a junior lien on a property be extinguished in Chapter 7 bankruptcy when the debt on the senior lien exceeds the property’s FMV?

by ft Editorial Staff | Feb 17, 2016 | Finance, Laws and Regulations, Real Estate, Recent Case Decisions | 1

Bank of America v. Caulkett Facts: A homeowner obtains two mortgages to fund their purchase of a...

Inevitable rise in mortgage rates to hamper recovery, Monthly Statistical Update (November 2015)

by ft Editorial Staff | Nov 2, 2015 | Monthly Statistical Update, Real Estate | 0

Sales volume is prophetic of home prices; Underwater homes diminish; Single family starts up, but lag for lack of demand

It’s official: high LTV ratio increases foreclosure risk

by Carrie B. Reyes | Feb 13, 2015 | Mortgages, Real Estate | 1

Our foreclosure problem runs deep.

Home sales volume remains flat as negative equity wanes, Weekly Statistical Update 12/23/2013

by ft Editorial Staff | Dec 23, 2013 | Monthly Statistical Update, Real Estate | 0

Home sales volume remains flat as negative equity wanes; More underwater homes buoy to marketability; FRM rates and 10-year Treasury Note spread keeps sales volume soft; California home sales volume remains flat

Reverse eminent domain gains ground in Richmond

by ft Editorial Staff | Aug 15, 2013 | Real Estate | 0

Richmond, California, is taking steps to enforce a reverse eminent domain taking of mortgages on underwater homes.

Jobs – not home prices – heal the real estate market

by Carrie B. Reyes | Feb 14, 2013 | Finance, Real Estate | 1

Both the number of California notices of default (NODs) and foreclosure sales were lower in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2012 than at any time since 2006. This leads experts to conclude…

Homeowner mobility declines

by Carrie B. Reyes | Jan 29, 2013 | Economics, Real Estate | 4

Homeowners are becoming less mobile. The long-term average length of occupancy for homeowners nationwide increased from…

Californians deleverage mortgage debt

by Carrie B. Reyes | Nov 14, 2012 | Finance, Real Estate | 3

Consumer debt decreased by 0.5% nationwide in the second quarter (2Q) of 2012. Much of this...

Mortgage mods by eminent domain: Be an advocate this time, for a change

by ft Editorial Staff | Aug 24, 2012 | Finance, Real Estate | 3

San Bernardino homeowners may be blacklisted from future Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (collectively...

San Bernardino: an underwater homeowner’s white knight?

by ft Editorial Staff | Aug 9, 2012 | Feature Articles, Inland Empire, Reader Polls, Real Estate | 14

A case for one county’s use of eminent domain to help underwater owners, despite anti-cramdown smokescreens launched by the opposition.

HARP 2.0 increases refinances

by Carrie B. Reyes | Jun 15, 2012 | Real Estate | 1

The revamped version of the Home Affordable Refinance Program (known as HARP 2.0) is up and running, nearly doubling the number of refinances it made the first quarter of 2012 –180,000 nationwide – compared to 93,000 in the...

Shortsales may jar the market awake

by Sarah Cantino | May 18, 2012 | Finance, Reader Polls, Real Estate | 8

Single family residence professionals: what percentage of your deals involve shortsales? 50% or...

BofA offers cramdowns with a twisted arm

by Sarah Cantino | May 14, 2012 | Reader Polls, Real Estate | 3

Do you think BofA’s cramdown offers are likely to extend beyond 200,000 to greater numbers of underwater California homeowners? No (70%, 52 Votes) Yes (30%, 22 Votes) Total Voters: 74 Bank of America (BofA) has begun offering...