New Consumer Protection Rules for Mortgages

with the New Year comes new protection for consumers seeking mortgages. On Jan. 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began requiring lenders to make

with the New Year comes new protection for consumers seeking mortgages. On Jan. 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began requiring lenders to make sure borrowers can afford to repay loans based on their income, debt and credit history.

Qualifying for reverse mortgage to get tougher

During the past several years of the economic recession, many desperate homeowners turned to what is known as a “reverse mortgage” to draw emergency

During the past several years of the economic recession, many desperate homeowners turned to what is known as a “reverse mortgage” to draw emergency cash out of their homes.

The Re-emerging Housing Market of 2013

The long-running collapse of the U.S. housing market – which dates back to 2006 – represents the largest drop in home values since the

The long-running collapse of the U.S. housing market – which dates back to 2006 – represents the largest drop in home values since the Great Depression.

The Decline of the Reverse Mortgage?

Are we seeing a decline in the traditional reverse mortgage? This once-popular retirement “lifeline” has been falling out of favor in recent years, particularly

Are we seeing a decline in the traditional reverse mortgage? This once-popular retirement “lifeline” has been falling out of favor in recent years, particularly in the wake of the recession and plummeting housing prices.

New Standards for Mortgage Lending

The banking industry has seen enormous changes in the wake of the housing crisis. In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform &

The banking industry has seen enormous changes in the wake of the housing crisis. In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act to end the improper lending practices that caused so many Americans to lose their homes to foreclosure.

Nearly One in Three Homeowners are ‘Underwater’ with Their Mortgages

Underwater mortgages – or negative home equity – occur when a homeowner owes more on his house than it is worth. The Great Recession

Underwater mortgages – or negative home equity – occur when a homeowner owes more on his house than it is worth. The Great Recession and collapse of the housing market nationwide certainly have impacted the number of underwater mortgages.

Impact of the $26 billion national mortgage settlement

The federal government and state attorneys general across the country recently secured a historic settlement with the country’s five largest home loan servicers in

The federal government and state attorneys general across the country recently secured a historic settlement with the country’s five largest home loan servicers in an attempt to address the home foreclosure crisis.

The ‘Gridlock’ Housing Market

These days, the “economy” seems to have replaced “the weather” as the No. 1 topic of small talk. The recession and its impact on

These days, the “economy” seems to have replaced “the weather” as the No. 1 topic of small talk. The recession and its impact on virtually everyone and nearly every facet of the economy has certainly dominated discussion around kitchen tables throughout America.

The Dilemma of “Underwater” Mortgages

The real estate crisis and recession have impacted nearly everyone – and in many different ways. The unemployment rate is close to 10 percent

The real estate crisis and recession have impacted nearly everyone – and in many different ways. The unemployment rate is close to 10 percent in Georgia. Numerous homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure. Many small business owners have closed their doors.

Regional and national trends in mortgage lending

Scotty Ball, a real estate attorney specializing in residential and commercial real estate law with the Gainesville, Ga. law firm Stewart, Melvin & Frost,

Scotty Ball, a real estate attorney specializing in residential and commercial real estate law with the Gainesville, Ga. law firm Stewart, Melvin & Frost, discusses trends in mortgage lending from a regional perspective.

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