Category Archives: Real Estate Law

Earlier this week, Wall Street Journal writer Laura Kusisto reported that, “The spring home-buying season is shaping up as the best in years, offering new opportunities after last year’s tough housing market drove away many would-be buyers. “A number of economic factors that slowed sales in 2018 have eased or even reversed in recent weeks…. Continue Reading

Last week, Wall Street Journal writer Ben Eisen reported that, “Mortgage rates are fast approaching 4%, a rate low enough that economists and lenders believe it will help jump-start the housing market again. “The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.06% this week, its lowest since January 2018, according to data released… Continue Reading

Last week, Wall Street Journal writer Laura Kusisto reported that, “Sales of previously owned homes posted their largest monthly gain since 2015 in February, a sign that lower mortgage rates and more attractive prices are helping to lure buyers back to the market just in time for the critical spring selling season. “Existing home sales… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writer Ben Eisen reported last week that, “The mortgage-market slowdown is stirring up interest in a humdrum segment of American home lending: the rights to the arcane task of handling monthly payments. “Sales of so-called mortgage-servicing rights jumped 14% in 2018 from a year earlier, according to industry research group Inside Mortgage… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writers Laura Kusisto and Sarah Chaney reported earlier this week that, “Home sales tumbled in December to their weakest level since 2015, ending a difficult year at a new low and offering fresh evidence that the housing market could be in for a bumpy ride in 2019. “Some of the same forces that… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writers Ben Eisen and Laura Kusisto reported last week that, “Mortgage rates have fallen to around their lowest levels in eight months, offering a potential boost to the housing market after a rough patch in recent months. “The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.51%, matching the lowest level since… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writer Sharon Nunn reported last week that, “The number of U.S. existing homes going under contract declined in November, signaling home sales may remain in a slump in the coming months. “The National Association of Realtors on Friday said its pending home sales index, which tracks contract signings for purchases of previously owned… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writer Christina Rexrode reported recently that, “Small and midsize U.S. mortgage firms are trimming staff, putting themselves up for sale and closing up shop at a clip not seen in years, a sign of the mounting pressure on the housing market as interest rates rise and a long economic expansion matures. “The number… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writers Ryan Dezember and Cezary Podkul reported last week that, “The battle between man and bot has a new front: your mortgage. “Federal regulators have proposed loosening real-estate appraisal requirements to enable a majority of U.S. homes to be bought and sold without being evaluated by a licensed human appraiser. That potentially opens… Continue Reading