RealtyTrac Article Library

Are Short Sales Really the Next BIG THING?

Rick Sharga — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

If you believe the hype, it appears that the next phase of the housing market recovery is going to rely heavily on short sales to help remove distressed properties from the home sales pipeline.

New Foreclosure Hot Spots Emerge in Q3 2009

Daren Blomquist — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona accounted for all but one of the Top 20 metro foreclosure rates. But one city in the Top 20 was a surprise.

Job Losses Foreshadow More Foreclosures Deals, Risk

Joel Cone — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The full impact of the nation’s rising unemployment rate — which reached 9.8 percent in January — has not yet been seen in the foreclosure numbers.

Should We Return To Paper-Based Mortgages?

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

We like to live in a world where everyone gets the same deal. If you can buy a washing machine at Sears for $500 then I don't want to pay more. And if it happens that the speed limit is 45, it should be 45 for both you and me.

Ways Foreclosure Investors Can Resuscitate Market

Peter G. Miller — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Here are several practical suggestions which could instantly impact the housing market. The source of these ideas is Bruce Norris, California real estate investor and analyst.

Option ARMs: The New Foreclosure Menace

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

It used to be that few people had ever heard of something called “mortgage recasting,” but now this term is likely to become very well known, and not in a good way

Are Tax Credits For First-Time Buyers Too Costly

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

After a number of fumbles and failures, it seems that government has finally found a way increase home sales. The trick? A little tax incentive bribery.

New: Instantly Identify Foreclosures Listed For Sale

RealtyTrac Staff — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

RealtyTrac’s newly expanded MLS feed of over 1 million properties for sale, matched against 1.9 million foreclosure properties, gives members the ultimate advantage for purchasing a foreclosure bargain.

The Case of the Missing REO Inventory

Rick Sharga — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With foreclosure activity breaking records nearly every month, where are all the REOs?

Can An Ohio Judge Reduce The Foreclosure Glut?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A federal bankruptcy judge has set a new precedent that could stop huge numbers of foreclosures nationwide. Her demand: Countrywide Home Loans must document every foreclosure claim it submits in Ohio.

Overlooked FHA Loan Ideal for Foreclosure Buyers

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Hidden away in the deep recesses of the federal government is a one-shot financing plan which will allow you to not only buy foreclosures but also to pay for repairs and upgrades.

Loan Modifications May Slow Because of New Court Decision

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The nation's mortgage investors have just won a court victory in New York, a decision likely to change the way we modify loans and foreclose on houses.

Playbook to Economic Recovery Starts with Real Estate

John Hines — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The housing market and the overall economy aren't going to improve until at least four parts of the economy improve.

10 Signs to the Bottom of the Housing Market

Mike Colpitts, HousingPredictor.com — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The bottom of each real estate market in America won't occur with much fanfare. In fact, few people will realize that it’s even happening.

Investor Buys 60 Foreclosures in 6 Years

Octavio Nuiry — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

While everyone is worrying about the recession, Portland, Maine investor Debbie Kilmartin is busy buying, fixing and flipping foreclosures for a living.

Flipping in a Falling Market

Joel Cone, Staff Writer — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Conventional wisdom considers a declining housing market unfit for flipping property. But some highly successful investors are rejecting this conservative approach.

Can We Sell Houses The Same Way We Sell Cars?

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

They're selling a lot of Hyundai cars these days, a miracle of sorts when you consider the overall condition of the automobile industry.

Foreclosures: The 10 Percent Solution

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With all the talk of good news on the recession front there remains the little matter of reality.

The Case For Cash Buying

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Imagine that a few years ago you could have bought a nice investment property and had the option of financing or paying cash. Which would you have chosen?

2009 Midyear, Q2 & June State Foreclosure Activity Tables

RealtyTrac Staff — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

State data tables for foreclosure activity in June, Q2 and Midyear 2009.

336,173 Foreclosure Filings Reported in June 2009

RealtyTrac Staff Writers — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A total of 336,173 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported in June 2009, a 5 percent increase from the previous month and a 33 percent increase from June of 2008, according to RealtyTrac.

1.9 Million Foreclosure Filings Reported on More Than 1.5 Million U.S. Properties in First Half of ‘09

RealtyTrac Staff — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A total of 1,905,723 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported on 1,528,364 U.S. properties in the first six months of 2009.

Does Negative Equity Cause Foreclosures?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

For years folks have been wondering what caused the mortgage meltdown and many people have pointed to subprime loans.

How The Government Is Pushing Up Home Prices

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The government is in action on the home front, and in a strange way the result may be fewer foreclosures as well pressure to raise real estate prices.

New FHA Rules Doom Condo Values

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

For the past two years the FHA has been involved in an effort to lower its risks, a process which is entirely understandable given that the government program is nothing more than insurance.

FHA Loans With Nothing Down, Will They Change The Foreclosure Picture

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The headlines are brimming with good news for first-time homebuyers. They can now purchase with FHA loans and little or nothing down. It sounds great, but is this really a smart idea?

Should We Bring Back The Skip-A-Payment?

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Years ago a lender sent me the most-interesting note.

Bargain Hunters See Bottom in Some Markets

Octavio Nuiry — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Ask a group of real estate millionaires how they made their money and most will recite some version of this axiom: “When everyone zigs, you zag.”

Can First-Timers End The Foreclosure Mess?

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The National Association of Home Builders has kicked off a new campaign to continue the first-time buyer tax credit, now as much as $8,000 for every first-time buyer who purchases a home.

New Law Protects Renters From Foreclosure Eviction

Octavio Nuiry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Under the new foreclosure prevention bill President Barack Obama signed into law on May 20, renters scored a big victory against foreclosure evictions.

Housing Predictor: 10 Million Foreclosures Through 2012

Mike Colpitts, Editor of Housing Predictor — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Housing Predictor forecasts that 10 million homeowners will be foreclosed through 2012 as more mortgage holders are unable to refinance or give up holding on to their homes all together.

May State Foreclosure Data

RealtyTrac Staff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Foreclosure filings were reported on 321,480 U.S. properties during the month, a decrease of 6 percent from the previous month but an increase of nearly 18 percent from May 2008.

Will The FHA Insure Loans With Nothing Down?

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Here today, gone tomorrow. That pretty much describes HUD's one-day policy regarding FHA loans with nothing down.

Is There A Simple Solution To The Foreclosure Crisis?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The New York Times came out with a thunderous editorial a few days ago, an official opinion piece from the nation’s newspaper of record regarding the matter of foreclosures.

Foreclosures: Are Commercial Properties Next?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Mention the word “foreclosure” and the usual reference is to residential real estate, but now the term is beginning to have a new meaning, one with a troubling economic impact.

New Numbers Stir Real Estate Investors

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

We're now at a very unusual point in financial history, one which home buyers and foreclosure investors may want to examine with care.

Foreclosure Activity Hits Another Record High in April

Daren Blomquist — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Foreclosure filings were reported on 342,038 U.S. properties during April, an increase of less than 1 percent from the previous month and an increase of 32 percent from April 2008.

10 Best Places to Buy Foreclosures

Joel Cone — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Despite the housing problems that have hit many areas nationwide, some areas of the country are better poised to stand the test of time than others.

$8000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Q&A

RealtyTrac Staff — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A $789 billion economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Obama on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, included a generous tax break for first-time homebuyers.

Mortgage Reform Moves Ahead in Washington

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

While huge banks may be too big to fail they're no longer too big to regulate. The changing tone in Washington can be seen with a 49-21 vote by the House Financial Services Committee on April 29.

Time to Unleash Real Estate Investors

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Whether a foreclosed property is owned by an investor or an owner-occupant is irrelevant. The instant and immediate need is to get such properties off the market and occupied.

How the AIG Bailout Could be Driving More Foreclosures?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

"The government bailout of AIG has actually encouraged foreclosures because the taxpayers continue to fill AIG’s coffers with enough cash to pay out insurance on defaulted home loans."

Unemployment & Foreclosure: Connecting the Dots

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

News on the employment front is grim and getting grimmer. It's being widely reported that job losses are the highest they've been in 50 years. Actually though, that's not quite the whole story.

Mortgage Reform Faces Uphill Battle on Capitol Hill

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Stashed away on Capitol Hill's back burners has been the emerging idea that the mortgage lending process has to be changed. Not around the edges and not something here or there, but the entire process.

Are Mortgage Brokers An Endangered Species?

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

There's a new game of musical chairs going on in the home financing industry and increasingly it's mortgage brokers who have no place to sit.

Millions To Miss Out On New Mortgage Help Plans

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The Obama plan ought to be applauded. It will help large numbers of homeowners. But when you see claims that millions and millions of borrowers will benefit, look out.

U.S. Foreclosure Activity Hits Record High in Q1

Daren Blomquist — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Foreclosure filings were reported on 803,489 U.S. properties in the first quarter, a 9 percent increase from the previous quarter and an increase of nearly 24 percent from Q1 2008.

Why Not Streamline Toxic Mortgages?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Broad use of the FHA “streamline” concept would instantly make millions of homeowners with toxic loans eligible for financial relief and off the foreclosure rolls.

Will Judges Modify Your Mortgage?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The House has now passed H.R. 1106: The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. If this bill ultimately becomes law it would allow bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages on prime residences.

Five Reasons Why Good People Can't Get Good Loans

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Why is it that good people with good credit and cash in their pocket are having so much trouble getting home loans? There are five key reasons which explain why.

Will The Obama Plan Reduce Foreclosures?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A new deal from Washington that potentially will allow millions of homeowners to lower their monthly mortgage costs and avoid foreclosure was unveiled last month by President Barack Obama

Foreclosure Investors Rely on Innovative Rental Strategies

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Increased competition for tenants is forcing investors to outfit their rental properties with upscale furnishing, high-tech devices and posh perks.

Fannie Revises Investment Property Guidelines

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Fannie Mae, seeking to break the logjam in the housing crisis, loosened its loan restrictions for real estate investors and second homebuyers last week, issuing a new set of selling guidelines.

Frustrated Homeowners Take a Walk

Joel Cone, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Sage advice says that a good walk will relieve stress. For an increasing number of homeowners in distress and facing foreclosure, that advice makes perfect sense.

2008 Year-End Foreclosure Market Report

RealtyTrac Staff — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A total of 3,157,806 foreclosure filings were reported on 2,330,483 U.S. properties during the year, an 81 percent increase in from 2007 and a 225 percent increase from 2006.

Uncle Sam to Foreclosure Buyers: We Want You!

Joel Cone — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Given today’s lackluster economic climate, real estate investors and buyers who can locate and purchase government-owned foreclosures have a tremendous opportunity to find good deals.

Will Loan Modifications Change With Washington?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

It's a new year in official Washington with a new Congress, a new President and a new chance for bankruptcy reform, reform which will center on the issue of what to do about unpaid mortgages.

New Loan Mod Plan Open to Investment Property

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The goal of the Fed’s new loan modification policy “is to avoid preventable foreclosures.” It is a step forward, but it's a short step.

Can We Use FHA Loans to Raise Home Values?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

With a little tinkering the plan could not only create new housing opportunities for the poor, it could also reduce the stock of foreclosed homes, thus pushing up neighborhood home values.

Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off?

RealtyTrac Staff — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Anyone planning to buy or invest in a foreclosure property should budget for the basic cosmetic repairs. But many foreclosure buyers and investors need to go far beyond the basic repairs.

How To Profit In Today's Real Estate Marketplace

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The financial headlines during much of the past two years have been largely negative, but we sometimes look past a basic reality: Opportunities for real estate profits are still out there.

The Curious Case of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The latest report shows that Fannie and Freddie owned 30.5 million mortgages at the end of September. Of those loans, 25.4 million were prime mortgages while 5.1 million were subprime financing.

How Loan Workouts Hide Foreclosure Damage

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

No longer do we have people facing foreclosure just once, instead we have large numbers of borrowers entering foreclosure multiple times on the same loan.

The FDIC's 7 Percent Foreclosure Solution

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

For the past several months a major experiment has been underway, one which may well suggest how to substantially reduce foreclosure totals.

Can the Right Foreclosure Prevention Plan Change the Marketplace?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

For those with an interest in buying foreclosures, new lender policies could make such purchases significantly more attractive.

Bank-Owned Auctions: Practical Bidding Strategies

Octavio Nuiry — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Auctions firms are busier than ever. As lenders and homebuilders repossess more foreclosures, they hire more auction companies to find buyers.

Don’t Dump Investors

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It's in our national interest to protect investors — unless, of course, they're folks who merely bought a house or two.

The Government Goes After Loan Officers

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:00:00 GMT

One of the most galling aspects of the mortgage meltdown is the sense that folks who made bad loans also made big profits, while everyday wage earners and investors are punished.

How Much for Those Lender Assets in the Window?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The question is central to the recent legislation that authorizes the Treasury Department to pay out $700 billion in taxpayer money for financial paper of questionable value.

No Mortgage Meltdown For These Banks

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The news from Wall Street in recent weeks has not been good, especially in the world of mortgages.

Long-Term Solution for Fannie and Freddie Dilemma

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The time has come for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to end their quasi-government status and join the rest of the risk-taking and tax-paying mortgage buyers who populate the private sector.

Option ARM Borrowers Running Out Of Time

Peter G. Miller — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Of all the mortgage ideas developed during the past few years, none tops the option ARM for sheer awfulness. And now the mortgage mess is about to get far worse as millions of option ARMs begin to recast.

Secrets of Pre-Foreclosure Investing

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:00 GMT

One pre-foreclosure expert says a new federal law will change everything, and short sales and short payoff sales will become the new trend in the marketplace.

New York Versus Freddie Mac: Round One

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It’s fight time in New York. On one side is newly-passed state legislation which sets tough standards for subprime and “high cost” loans and on the other is Freddie Mac.

National Registration For Loan Officers Becomes Reality

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

What do you know about your loan officer?

Can “Appreciation Sharing” Solve The Mortgage Mess?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

We’re about to see something new in the mortgage marketplace: The government is going to insure huge numbers of shared-appreciation mortgages, a type of home financing rarely seen in the U.S.

Are Fixed-Rate Loans About To Vanish?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

For decades the surest and safest mortgage has been the quiet and dull fixed-rate loan. With fixed-rate loans, the monthly payment never changes and the loan balance declines every month.

Capitalizing on a Cooling Market

Daren Blomquist, Managing Editor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

When the South Florida housing market entered into a nosedive last year, Harry Andrade saw an opportunity.

FHA Gives Up Billions To U.S. Treasury

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Can you name a federal agency that has banked more than $13.5 billion in mortgage insurance profits during the past few years?

Do New Mortgage Rules Make Borrowers Safer?

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

You could hardly miss the headlines this week: More than 1,000 news outlets covered new rules from the Federal Reserve designed to “protect” America’s mortgage borrowers.

Tech-Savvy Foreclosures Seekers Flock to the Internet

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Two female foreclosure investors on opposite sides of the nation recently discovered a new and refreshing way to purchase foreclosure properties — online.

High-End Foreclosures Rising Among Top Tier Homes

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Seven-figure foreclosures — once a rarity in 2007 — are starting to pop up with more frequency in some of the wealthiest communities nationwide.

Wachovia Changes The Lending Game

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

With assets of more than $800 billion, Wachovia is the nation’s fourth-largest banking institution.

TCS Foreclosures – Approved training provider for RealtyTrac® customers.

RealtyTrac Staff — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

RealtyTrac® is proud to introduce our new foreclosure training partner, TCS Foreclosures. Our relationship with TCS Foreclosures kicked off in Q1 2008.

New States Rules Begin To Impact Foreclosure Numbers

Peter G. Miller — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

In April, according to RealtyTrac.com, Maryland ranked sixth in foreclosures among all the states but just 30 days later it fell to 22nd for the month of May.

How to Sell Your House Quickly When Facing Foreclosure

LaTonya S. Johnson — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

If you are currently in foreclosure, strongly consider selling your property as a backup plan.

Beyond the Foreclosure Blame Game

Daren Blomquist, Managing Editor — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Real estate investors are becoming a convenient scapegoat for many looking to assign blame for the recent surge in foreclosures and faltering real estate market.

How to Sell a Property via Online Auction

Bid4Homes.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Internet allows potential buyers to search for properties all over the world, view photographs and due diligence materials online, and participate in auctions all across the country.

Online Real Estate Auctions: 12 Tips for First-Time Bidders

RealtyTrac Staff — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Online auctions offer both novice and experienced real estate buyers a way to obtain under-valued properties.

Crapshoot on the Courthouse Steps

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Monday through Friday, a small group of people assemble around the steps of the Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., for the nation’s ailing real estate market: public foreclosure sales.

Who's Hurt With Declining Market Labels

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

“The issue of labels is important,” says James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer at RealtyTrac.com, the nation’s largest source of foreclosure properties.

A Foreclosure Bargain for Their “Forever House”

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Karen Krynen saw an opportunity. Nestled at the top of a hill with a long private driveway, the bank-owned property sitting on a huge 40,946 square foot lot was exactly what she was looking for.

Online Auctions: Good for Buyers and Sellers

Bid4Homes Staff — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It’s no secret that more people are buying more products through online auctions, and real estate is no exception.

Washington Profits From Foreclosures

Peter G. Miller — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT

There’s a new initiative on the table in Washington, one that could do a lot to reduce foreclosures nationwide while actually generating a profit for Uncle Sam.

Will The Paulson Plan Reduce Foreclosures

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT

“A major concern regarding the Paulson Plan is that it would take months and years to implement,” says James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer at RealtyTrac.

Going Against the Grain, Investor Finds Bountiful Bank-Owned Bargains

Daren Blomquist — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Despite the abundance of negative buzz surrounding the real estate market, Kirk Leipzig decided to pursue foreclosures as investment properties.

Should We Go Back To The Future With HUD

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

“The federal government has attempted to stem the mortgage crisis, by extending aid and concessions to big firms and huge investors on Wall Street,” says James J. Saccacio, Chairman and CEO at RealtyTrac.

Just A Little Help For Our Friends

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

“We’ll need to wait until later in the Spring to see what results are produced by the Fed’s $200 billion loan program,” says James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer at RealtyTrac.

Special Video Report: Renters in Foreclosure

CBS Evening News — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

CBS Evening News investigates the issue of renters being unexpectedly forced out of the homes they are living in because the owner has been foreclosed on.

Politicians Ponder Foreclosure Intervention Policies

Joel Cone, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Should the federal government mandate a six-month moratorium on all foreclosures around the country in order to give affected homeowners a chance to “work it out?”

Whatever Happened To Savings

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

With all the headlines and debate regarding soaring foreclosure rates, it’s sometimes forgotten that most foreclosures can be easily prevented with a low-tech, unregulated, private solution.

Walking Away From Foreclosure Becoming Socially Acceptable

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

If walking away from a mortgage becomes socially acceptable then lenders will have more risk, interest rates will rise, monthly mortgage costs will increase and foreclosure levels will shoot up.

The Next Financial Crisis — Alt-A Mortgages

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

If prime mortgages are the holy grail of real estate financing then Alternative-A (Alt-A) financing can been seen as something of a step below.

Help Programs Grow, But Foreclosure Levels Remain High

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

You could hardly miss the attention given to the latest figures from Hope Now, the all-volunteer effort to rescue homeowners facing foreclosure.

The Bank of America-Countrywide Merger

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Bank of America’s $4 billion purchase of Countrywide Financial Corporation is now being scrutinized by just about every Wall Street analyst and financial columnist.

Project Lifeline: New Name, Old Story

Peter G. Miller — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It was on August 31st when President Bush introduced Hope Now, a plan to reduce foreclosures nationwide.

Foreclosure Prevention Numbers Don’t Add Up

Peter G. Miller — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately, the grim reality is that while modifications and repayment plans can help many borrowers, a large percentage of those enrolled in such programs will lose their property.

Distressed Homeowners: Rules of Engagement

Daren Blomquist — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

As foreclosures proliferate and home prices stagnate in many real estate markets across the country, more investors and buyers are considering foreclosures as an opportunity to find bargains.

Project Lifeline: New Name, Old Story

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It was on August 31st when President Bush introduced Hope Now, a plan to reduce foreclosures nationwide.

Investor Training: Sorting It All Out

Joel Cone, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Training programs for real estate investors sometimes seem as numerous as real estate investors themselves

Finding Financing for Foreclosure Deals

Daren Blomquist, Managing Editor — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

If anyone has the inside track on financing for real estate deals, it would be Ram Perilall.

New Feature: Online Bidding, Online Offers

Rick Sharga, Vice President of Marketing — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

RealtyTrac users now have the ability to make offers directly to the lender or agent, bid in online auctions or contact agents who handle government foreclosures.

Investment Banks Shoulder Bigger Share of REO Burden

Octavio Nuiry, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The bullish stock market began showing some cracks in the foundation in late July as fresh evidence revealed that real estate woes on Main Street are inflicting a bigger-than-expected toll their lenders.

The Art of the Foreclosure Deal

Joel Cone, RealtyTrac Staff Writer — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It may not be internationally recognized in the same stream of consciousness as a masterpiece by Goya, Monet or Picasso, but a well-constructed foreclosure investment deal can be a thing of beauty.

How Big Is The Mortgage Meltdown?

Peter G. Miller — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:00:00 GMT

For the first time estimates are beginning to suggest the true size of the mortgage meltdown. The newest numbers are so large they dwarf the latest federal deficit, a total of $163 billion.

The New Foreclosure Prevention Plan

Peter G. Miller — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT

It sounds like a good idea. If the reason so many people are losing their homes is because interest rates are too high, then let's keep those rates low and prevent foreclosures.