Feds Propose Rule on Private Transfer Fees

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) back in August, 2010, published proposed “guidance” related to private transfer fee covenants that applied to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Federal Home Loan Banks (the “regulated entities). The message in this guidance was that private transfer fees are bad and those regulated enterprises should stay away from lending on real estate subject to such covenants. Continue reading “Feds Propose Rule on Private Transfer Fees

US Home Prices show modest 0.3 percent increase from June to July according to Federal Housing Finance Agency

Dennis Norman
Dennis Norman

By: Dennis Norman

Today the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported that U.S. home prices rose 0.3 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from June to July and are down 4.2 percent for the past year.  Missouri is included by the FHFA in the West North Central division which was right on target with the US with an increase of 0.3 percent from June to July.  Our region was only down 1.5 percent from last year according the report.

Many of the reports I’ve seen in the press on this are saying this is a sign of the housing market recovering:

The Wall Street Journal, on WSJ.Com, Reported “U.S. Home prices climbed in July as some of the country’s worst-hit housing markets showed signs of recovering.”
The AP reported “U.S. home prices rose slightly in July from a month earlier, according to a government index, further evidence the housing market is stabilizing.”
Snaps goes to Bloomberg.com for I feel being more alert by reporting “U.S. Home prices rose 0.3 percent in July from the previous month, less than analysts’ estimates, in a sign that the housing recovery is tenuous. Continue reading “US Home Prices show modest 0.3 percent increase from June to July according to Federal Housing Finance Agency