Author Archives: NAWRB

PREVENTING HOME FORECLOSURES

Posted on by NAWRB
Blog_foreclosure-copy
24 Mar

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a release reporting that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) accomplished a total of 47,769 foreclosure prevention actions in the fourth quarter of 2015. This increases the number of foreclosure prevention actions to more than 3.6 million since the introduction of the conservatorships in 2008. The Enterprises have helped millions of families save their homes and have permanently modified 2 million home loans to date.
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HISPANIC HOMEOWNERSHIP CONTINUES UPWARD TRAJECTORY

Posted on by NAWRB
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23 Mar

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and the Hispanic Wealth Project recently released the2015 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report revealing that while the national homeownership rate dwindles, Hispanic homeownership continues its rise.

The report reveals that homeownership among Hispanics outpaces that of all other demographics, achieving a net gain of 245,000 owner households in 2015, 69 percent of total U.S. homeownership growth. As the study articulates, “For the first time in 10 years the Hispanic homeownership rate spiked upward while overall homeownership rates in the country continued a downward trend.”

There was tremendous growth in Hispanic homeownership between the fourth quarters of 2014 (44.5 percent) and 2015 (46.7 percent), marking a net increase of 531,000 owner households. The report clarifies that Hispanic homeownership hadn’t risen by these levels since 2005, gains that were erased by subprime mortgages and the housing crisis. Now, supported by a decrease in poverty and an increase in purchasing power, along with a growing population, Hispanics are situated to impact the housing economy.
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REDUCED MORTGAGE BALANCES

Posted on by NAWRB
Blog_lakehouse-copy
22 Mar

For the first time since the housing bubble, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) may soon begin reducing mortgage balances for homeowners. According to an article from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has approved a plan for the Enterprises to reduce the mortgage balances of strained borrowers.

This development comes after years of affirmation by GSE heads that debt reduction was out of the question. Confirming that the plan will be released within the next 30 days, FHFA director Melvin L. Watt also said that any mortgage reduction decisions would have to benefit both bereft borrowers and the Enterprises.
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SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON YOU

Posted on by NAWRB
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18 Mar

A recent survey reveals that over half of American workers feel they are significantly affected by a lack of sleep, a phenomenon that may only worsen with daylight savings time taking effect this past weekend. The study was conducted online on behalf of CareerBuilder by Harris Poll and surveyed over 3,200 employees ages 18 and older during November and December of 2015.
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Director Defends CFPB

Posted on by NAWRB
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17 Mar

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray appeared before the House Financial Services Committee yesterday for the first time since September of last year, to provide a semi-annual update on behalf of the agency. In the much-anticipated hearing, Cordray stood by CFPB decisions and was, as expected, flooded with criticisms.
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Getting Creative with Homebuying

Posted on by NAWRB
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16 Mar

Amid the checklist of prospective homebuyers, you’ll find things like saving for a down payment, obtaining a mortgage, desired characteristics for their future neighborhood; one worry current buyers may not be aware about is low inventory. In a market where home prices are appreciating, the harsh reality that after saving for a home you may not be able to even find one you like is sobering.
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Join NAWRB At These Events!

Posted on by NAWRB
Blog_Travel
15 Mar

As the National Association of Women in Real Estate Businesses (NAWRB), we are dedicated to advocating on behalf of women in the housing continuum. In addition to our international magazine, annual conferences and diverse outreach efforts, our advocacy work takes us across the country; whether it’s in Los Angeles, Florida, New York or Washington, D.C. Represented always by our Founder and CEO Desiree Patno, NAWRB is in attendance at pivotal industry events and remains a constant, unwavering voice for our community.
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Certifications for Women-Owned Businesses

Posted on by NAWRB
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10 Mar

Karla Gonzalez, procurement specialist from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will be speaking about certifications for Women-Owned Businesses (WOB) and Minority Women-Owned Businesses (MWOB) specializing in the housing continuum. Learn more about contracting opportunities for your company and gain valuable insight on how to maximize your business certifications.

Homes Worth Less than Homeowners Expect

Posted on by NAWRB
Blog_Houseblue-copy-1
09 Mar

Do you know how much your home is worth? If you’re like most homeowners, you can provide a fairly accurate estimate of your home equity. To those who underestimate the value of their homes, discovering the true price is a welcome surprise, but what if you found out your home isn’t worth nearly what you had anticipated?

Quicken Loans recently released its monthly Home Price Perception Index (HPPI) and Home Value Index (HVI) for February revealing that current home appraisals fall significantly short of homeowner estimates. Despite these findings, the mortgage lender’s chief economist Bob Walters assures that the national HPPI resides within normal levels notwithstanding its modest growth.
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