Latest News

Latest News

• Report: Bakersfield fifth worst residential real estate market in country

  Mar. 17--The Bakersfield area was the fifth worst residential real estate market in the nation in January based on mortgage delinquency rates, foreclosures and other signs of a deeply troubled housing market.

• Niagara Falls in forefront of seeking tax credits for those who rehab historical houses

  Mar. 17--NIAGARA FALLS -- The city is one of the first communities in New York to aggressively urge owners of historically significant houses to apply for state income tax credits that could help pay for rehabilitation of their properties under a new but little-publicized law, a professional preservationist said Tuesday.

• Toledo leads nation in job-growth study

  Mar. 17--Toledo had the strongest job growth of any major metro area in the nation at the end of 2009, but suffered more overall than all but two other regions during the recession, according to a new Brookings Institution study.

• Growing popularity for home loans offered by New York State Mortgage Agency

  Mar. 17--ALBANY -- The popularity of home loans offered by the New York State Mortgage Agency is growing, a rise likely tied to the credit crunch and the federal tax credit for first-time buyers.

• Book closed on failed mortgage broker

  Mar. 17--A Danbury businessman went from being the chief of a mortgage lender that originated more than $300 million in loans to being so poor that state regulators are allowing him to do community service in lieu of paying fines.

• Kansas City housing market continued its weak performance in February

  Mar. 17--The Kansas City housing market continued its weak performance in February, with the average price of a home down 3 percent and sales activity sluggish despite a federal incentive program.

• Floridian indicted in mortgage fraud scheme in Texas

  Mar. 17--A Florida resident has been charged with orchestrating a mortgage fraud scheme involving 114 houses in the Dallas area and around Texas that cost banks and other lenders more than $20 million.

• Fed holds rates at record lows to foster recovery

  WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday repeated its pledge to hold interest rates at record lows to foster the economic recovery and ease high unemployment.

• Interest rates fall after Fed stands pat

  CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Interest rates fell in the bond market Tuesday after the Federal Reserve said it is still likely to keep a key lending rate at historic lows for an "extended period."

• Builders adapt to smaller market: Construction of new homes continues despite slump

  Mar. 16--Deep in metro Atlanta's 2009 housing market wrap-up is this number: About 4,400 new homes were built during the year.