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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Renters No More: Newbies Lured To Homeownership

Kitsy Roberts and Janko Williams have traded a rent payment for a mortgage. The Seattle couple is planning to put a lot of sweat equity into their fixer-upper.

October 16, 2012 With mortgage rates near rock bottom and housing prices stable, many fence-sitters are jumping into the home market and leaving the world of renting behind. But first, they have to get approved for a loan.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Friday, October 12, 2012

Planet Money

Remember The 14-Year-Old Who Bought A House? She Just Bought Another One

This is Willow's new house.

October 12, 2012 Willow Tufano's life over the past few months was sort of surreal. She got caught up in two dramas: America's housing market and America's media circus. Now she's trying to get her own reality show.

Summary

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Two-Way

U.S. Foreclosures Drop Dramatically, But The Picture Remains Very Mixed

An auction sign in front of a Salem, Ore., home on Feb. 23.

October 11, 2012 RealtyTrac, a foreclosure tracking firm, says the foreclosure filings dropped significantly in September. But the report shows they have gone up in states that hadn't had problems until now.

Summary

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

The Two-Way

U.S. Government Sues Wells Fargo In Mortgage Case

Wells Fargo.

October 9, 2012 The government alleges the bank knew some loans it issued did not meet federal requirements.

Summary

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Solve This

Candidates Say Little On Difficult Issue Of Housing

Despite millions of troubled mortgages around the country, housing hasn't been a major issue in the presidential race so far.

October 2, 2012 Despite millions of troubled mortgages around the country, housing hasn't been a major issue in the presidential race so far. Based on what they have said, President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney have more in common than their rhetoric suggests, an analyst says.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Two-Way

Update: Existing Home Sales And Housing Starts Both Rose In August

Construction that was underway this summer in San Mateo, Calif.

September 19, 2012 Each month this year, builders have been starting work on many more homes than were being built after the housing bubble burst in 2008. Meanwhile, sales and prices of previously owned homes continue to rise.

Summary

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Democratic Convention Draws Troubled Homeowners

David Sole rode a bus from Detroit to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., to protest how the Obama administration and the nation's banks have handled the foreclosure crisis.

September 5, 2012 As Democrats gather for their national convention in Charlotte, N.C., troubled homeowners have also converged on the city. They have come to voice their dissatisfaction with how the Obama administration and the nation's big banks have handled the foreclosure crisis.

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Monday, August 13, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Two-Way

Fannie, Freddie Regulator Holds Firm Against Mortgage Write-Downs

Many experts say reducing mortgage principal can help troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. But the regulator who oversees two of the nation's largest mortgage holders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has rejected the idea.

July 31, 2012 A federal regulator is blocking the government-owned mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from reducing the principal that homeowners owe on their mortgages in order to avoid foreclosures.

Summary

Is Housing Recovery Real? Not Everyone Is Convinced

A construction worker carries lumber while working on new homes in San Mateo, Calif., in March. Homebuilding is at its highest level in nearly four years.

July 31, 2012 Homebuilding is at its highest level in nearly four years. More homes are selling, and at higher prices. But skeptics say factors, including the struggling economy and a lurking inventory of foreclosed and delinquent homes, will push prices down further.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Friday, July 13, 2012

County Considers Eminent Domain As Foreclosure Fix

Half of San Bernardino County's 300,000 mortgages are underwater. In an attempt to ease the mortgage crisis, the Southern California county is considering taking control of some of those properties by eminent domain.

July 13, 2012 California's San Bernardino County says seizing troubled properties would allow those homeowners to refinance their loans. Critics say the plan, if implemented, will be bad for business and could dissuade banks from making future loans in the county.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Two-Way

Contracts For Home Sales Rose Sharply In May

June 27, 2012 The 5.9 percent increase in pending home sales was well above expectations and matched their strongest pace in two years.

Summary

Morale Takes A Hit At Beleaguered Fannie, Freddie

Created by the federal government during the Great Depression, Fannie Mae became a Washington powerhouse: a highly profitable, private company, protected by the government and boasting huge lobbying clout. But today, Fannie Mae has essentially become a ward of the state.

June 27, 2012 Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been vilified for their role in the housing collapse. Key employees have left as morale has plummeted. But the two organizations are key to the functioning of the U.S. housing market, leaving some observers concerned about the ongoing brain drain.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Sinking Under A $10,000 Monthly Mortgage Payment

Housing counselors say a growing number of homeowners from wealthy communities, like Laguna Beach, Calif., are seeking to modify loans on multimillion-dollar properties.

June 26, 2012 A growing number of those seeking help from mortgage counselors are high-income owners of million-dollar homes in wealthy communities like Laguna Beach, Calif., and Westchester County, N.Y. But large home loans can be more difficult to modify than more modest ones.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

The Two-Way

Home Prices Tick Up, Housing Market Recovery May Be Strengthening

This "For Sale" sign was hanging outside a home in Brooklyn, N.Y., earlier this month.

June 26, 2012 The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices showed gains in nearly all major cities during April. While prices are still down from their boom-time highs, a recovery may be building.

Summary

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