Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Short Sale of Luxury Homes

Rich Default on Luxury Homes Like Subprime Victims (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
California is hardest hit by luxury-home foreclosures. More than 1,500 borrowers with properties in the state that once sold for more than $1 million defaulted on their mortgages in February, said Mark Hanson, managing director of the Field Check Group, a real estate company in Palo Alto, California.

About 3 percent, or 254,745, of the state’s 8.5 million houses are assessed for more than $1 million by county assessors, according to San Diego-based MDA DataQuick, a real estate monitoring company.

While sales for all homes in the state increased 2.5 percent last year from 2007, sales of homes valued at more than $1 million declined 43 percent to the lowest since 2003, MDA DataQuick reported. Part of the reason is falling prices as California’s median home price dropped 41 percent in February to $247,590, according to the state’s Association of Realtors.

Another explanation may be stricter lending guidelines, Hanson said.

“You have to have income of $250,000, a 20 percent down payment and near perfect credit to buy a $1 million home now, so the number of buyers isn’t what it was,” Hanson said. “There just aren’t enough buyers to sop up supply. We’re seeing the collapse of the high-end market.”




short sales

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Fed is now buying Home Loans - this should help a few sellers

Fed begins purchasing mortgage securities - San Jose Mercury News
NEW YORK — The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said today it has begun purchasing mortgage-backed securities in an effort to bolster the battered housing market.

The program, initially announced Nov. 25, allows the Fed to spend $500 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and another $100 billion to directly purchase mortgages held by Fannie, Freddie and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The program is aimed at driving down the price of mortgages and making home loans more available.

The New York Fed is overseeing the program for the Federal Reserve. The New York Fed is working with four investment managers — BlackRock Inc., Goldman Sachs Asset Management, PIMCO and Wellington Management Co. — to purchase the securities.

Up to $500 billion in securities will be purchased by the end of the second quarter.

The mortgage-backed securities being purchased are considered investment grade and are not the packages of loans that helped ignite the current credit market turmoil. An initial sharp rise in defaults in 2007 among subprime mortgages — loans given to customers with poor credit history — helped touch off the ongoing credit market downturn. As defaults continued to rise, the value of securities backed by subprime mortgages plummeted and investors shied away from purchasing the risky debt.


for more information short sales

Foreclosure Sale Suspension

This suspension give time to sellers to get short sale offers into the lenders. 

Media: News Releases > Fannie Mae Extends Foreclosure Sale and Eviction Suspension
Fannie Mae Extends Foreclosure Sale and Eviction Suspension


WASHINGTON, DC -- Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) today announced that it would extend the suspension of foreclosure sales and evictions from single-family properties through January 31, 2009.

This action will enable the company to work with mortgage servicers to further implement the Streamlined Modification Program (SMP) announced on November 11, 2008 and initiated on December 15, 2008. The extension will also provide additional time for the company to operationalize its new National REO Rental Policy, which will allow renters in company-owned foreclosed properties to stay in their homes. Details of the new policy are expected to be announced shortly.

The temporary suspension of foreclosures will allow affected borrowers facing foreclosure to retain their homes while Fannie Mae works with mortgage servicers to implement the SMP. Foreclosure attorneys and loan servicers have been instructed to use the additional time to reach out to borrowers and continue to pursue workout options. The initiative applies to loans owned or securitized by Fannie Mae.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Economists make predictions about home prices

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Economists Ponder Future of Home Prices
Economists Ponder Future of Home Prices
When will home prices go back up again?

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal say that home prices won’t hit bottom until the second half of 2009 at the earliest and some say the downward trend will continue until 2011 or 2012. After that they may rise again, but not nearly as fast as they have in the last decade. Instead they will rise just a little faster than inflation and stay in line with increases in household income.
========================

I was and Econ major -  I do loan workouts everyday  and I used to trade the bond market.  My take:

1. A former CNBC economist said the secret to being a good economist is to forecast early and forecast often

2. If anyone was anygood at making predictions they could make a fortune trading the bond market.... bill gross made a fortune trading and managing bonds - but he always seems to talk his book.  So basically there is no one who really knows whats going to happen more than a few months out. There is always some force that is unpredicted that shows up.  Who knew that china would keep buying bonds to keep our interest rates law and skew our real estate market into the largest asset bubble in history.

3.  If you study charts you will see bubble unwinds always seem to go back furhter than expected.  Remember Nasdaq 5000.

4.  In my opinion you have to figure out who will be qualifying for what loans and guessing if consequent "qualified demand" will balance supply.

5. In higher priced homes that could be a while.

6. In that category - I think appraisals will be very tough - the best houses, with the best views, on the best lots are likely to become much more valuable than the nearby competition.   In a rising market putting lipstick on a pig (upgrades, like granite and flooring could get inferior houses high prices)  it is no longer working. 

7.  Buyers are smart.  Some are paying good money for "location" the competition winners - and others are only buying at steep discounts. 

8.  I predict that will go on for years. 

Friday, November 7, 2008

Loan Modification - Stop Forelcosure, Countrywide and Bank of America Programs.

Almost 400,000 Countrywide mortgage holders will get help - USATODAY.com
Nearly 400,000 homeowners will be able to get more affordable loans after Bank of America (BAC) agreed Monday to modify mortgages that originated with its Countrywide Financial unit. The move could be worth more than $8.6 billion and mark the largest predatory lending settlement in history.

Monday's deal settles claims brought by attorneys general in 11 states that accused Countrywide — acquired in July by BofA — of misrepresenting loan terms, loan payment increases and borrowers' ability to afford loans.

Bank of America says it will restructure loans for Countrywide customers holding subprime mortgages and option adjustable-rate loans that permit borrowers to pay only a small portion of interest and principal owed each month. Some might wind up in new fixed-rate loans; others might not.

But the Bank of America deal represents only a fraction of the future defaults and foreclosures facing homeowners. There were more than 2.2 million foreclosure filings in the USA in 2007.

EVEN MORE DETAILS: Read Bank of American's press release

"There could be a couple million more (foreclosures to come), so it begins to put a price tag on the problem and how expensive it is," says economist Joel Naroff at Naroff Economic Advisors.

Pat Lashinsky, CEO of ZipRealty, says as many as 6 million homes will have gone through a short-sale or foreclosure before this housing slump is finished.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

1099c, canceled debt, release from a deficiency

In a short sale will you be released from a deficiency if you get a 1099-c ?

Here is what the Irs has to say about the 1099c. 

Instructions for Forms 1099-A and 1099-C (2008)
When Is a Debt Canceled

A debt is canceled on the date an identifiable event occurs. An identifiable event is:

1.

A discharge in bankruptcy under Title 11 of the U.S. Code for business or investment debt (see Exceptions on this page).
2.

A cancellation or extinguishment making the debt unenforceable in a receivership, foreclosure, or similar federal or state court proceeding.
3.

A cancellation or extinguishment when the statute of limitations for collecting the debt expires, or when the statutory period for filing a claim or beginning a deficiency judgment proceeding expires. Expiration of the statute of limitations is an identifiable event only when a debtor's affirmative statute of limitations defense is upheld in a final judgment or decision of a court and the appeal period has expired.
4.

A cancellation or extinguishment when the creditor elects foreclosure remedies that by law end or bar the creditor's right to collect the debt. This event applies to a mortgage lender or holder who is barred by local law from pursuing debt collection after a “power of sale” in the mortgage or deed of trust is exercised.
5.

A cancellation or extinguishment due to a probate or similar proceeding.
6.

A discharge of indebtedness under an agreement between the creditor and the debtor to cancel the debt at less than full consideration.
7.

A discharge of indebtedness because of a decision or a defined policy of the creditor to discontinue collection activity and cancel the debt. A creditor's defined policy can be in writing or an established business practice of the creditor. A creditor's practice to stop collection activity and abandon a debt when a particular nonpayment period expires is a defined policy.
8.

The expiration of nonpayment testing period. This event occurs when the creditor has not received a payment on the debt during the testing period. The testing period is a 36-month period ending on December 31 plus any time when the creditor was precluded from collection activity by a stay in bankruptcy or similar bar under state or local law. The creditor can rebut the occurrence of this identifiable event if:
1.

The creditor (or a third-party collection agency) has engaged in significant bona fide collection activity during the 12-month period ending on December 31 or
2.

Facts and circumstances that exist on January 31 following the end of the 36-month period indicate that the debt was not canceled.

Significant bona fide collection activity does not include nominal or ministerial collection action, such as an automated mailing. Facts and circumstances indicating that a debt was not canceled include the existence of a lien relating to the debt (up to the value of the security) or the sale or packaging for sale of the debt by the creditor.

Exceptions

You are not required to report on Form 1099-C the following:

1.

Certain bankruptcies. You are not required to report a debt discharged in bankruptcy unless you know from information included in your books and records that the debt was incurred for business or investment purposes. If you are required to report a business or investment debt discharged in bankruptcy, report it for the later of:
1.

The year in which the amount of discharged debt first can be determined or
2.

The year in which the debt is discharged in bankruptcy.

A debt is incurred for business if it is incurred in connection with the conduct of any trade or business other than the trade or business of performing services as an employee. A debt is incurred for investment if it is incurred to purchase property held for investment (as defined in section 163(d)(5)).
2.

Interest. You are not required to report interest. However, if you choose to report interest as part of the canceled debt in box 2, you must show the interest separately in box 3.
3.

Nonprincipal amounts. Nonprincipal amounts include penalties, fines, fees, and administrative costs. For a lending transaction, you are not required to report any amount other than stated principal. A lending transaction occurs when a lender loans money to, or makes advances on behalf of, a borrower (including revolving credit and lines of credit). For a nonlending transaction, nonprincipal amounts are included in the debt. However, until further guidance is issued, no penalties will be imposed for failure to report these amounts in nonlending transactions.
4.

Foreign debtors. Until further guidance is issued, no penalty will apply if a financial institution does not file Form 1099-C for a debt canceled by its foreign branch or foreign office for a foreign debtor provided all the following apply:
1.

The financial institution is engaged in the active conduct of a banking or similar business outside the United States.
2.

The branch or office is a permanent place of business that is regularly maintained, occupied, and used to carry on a banking or similar financial business.
3.

The business is conducted by at least one employee of the branch or office who is regularly in attendance at the place of business during normal working hours.
4.

The indebtedness is extended outside the United States by the branch or office in connection with that trade or business.
5.

The financial institution does not know or have reason to know that the debtor is a U.S. person.
5.

Related parties. Generally, a creditor is not required to file Form 1099-C for the deemed cancellation of a debt that occurs when the creditor acquires the debt of a related debtor, becomes related to the debtor, or transfers the debt to another creditor related to the debtor. However, if the transfer to a related party by the creditor was for the purpose of avoiding the Form 1099-C requirements, Form 1099-C is required. See section 108(e)(4).
6.

Release of a debtor. You are not required to file Form 1099-C if you release one of the debtors on a debt as long as the remaining debtors are liable for the full unpaid amount.
7.

Guarantor or surety. You are not required to file Form 1099-C for a guarantor or surety. A guarantor is not a debtor for purposes of filing Form 1099-C even if demand for payment is made to the guarantor.
8.

Seller financing. Organizations whose principal trade or business is the sale of non-financial goods or non-financial services, and who extend credit to customers in connection with the purchase of those non-financial goods and non-financial services, are not considered to have a significant trade or business of lending money, with respect to the credit extended in connection with the purchase of those goods or services, for reporting discharge of indebtedness on Form 1099-C. See Regulations section 1.6050P-2(c). But the reporting applies if a separate financing subsidiary of the retailer extends the credit to the retailer's customers.

Multiple Debtors

For debts of $10,000 or more incurred after 1994 that involve debtors who are jointly and severally liable for the debt, you must report the entire amount of the canceled debt on each debtor's Form 1099-C. Multiple debtors are jointly and severally liable for a debt if there is no clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. If it can be shown that joint and several liability does not exist, a Form 1099-C is required for each debtor for whom you canceled a debt of $600 or more.

For debts incurred before 1995 and for debts of less than $10,000 incurred after 1994, you must file Form 1099-C only for the primary (or first-named) debtor.

If you know or have reason to know that the multiple debtors were husband and wife who were living at the same address when the debt was incurred, and you have no information that these circumstances have changed, you may file only one Form 1099-C.
Recordkeeping

If you are required to file Form 1099-C, you must retain a copy of that form or be able to reconstruct the data for at least 4 years from the due date of the return.
Requesting TINs

You must make a reasonable effort to obtain the correct name and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of the person whose debt was canceled. You may obtain the TIN when the debt is incurred. If you do not obtain the TIN before the debt is canceled, you must request the debtor's TIN. Your request must clearly notify the debtor that the IRS requires the debtor to furnish its TIN and that failure to furnish such TIN subjects the debtor to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS. You may use Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, to request the TIN. However, a debtor is not required to certify his or her TIN under penalties of perjury.
Statements to Debtors

If you are required to file Form 1099-C, you must provide a statement to the debtor. Furnish a copy of Form 1099-C or an acceptable substitute statement to each debtor. In the 2008 General Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G, see:

*

Part M for more information about the requirement to furnish a statement to the debtor and
*

Part J for specific procedures to complete Form 1099-C for debtors in bankruptcy.

Account Number

The account number is required if you have multiple accounts for a debtor for whom you are filing more than one Form 1099-C. Additionally, the IRS encourages you to designate an account number for all Forms 1099-C that you file. See part L in the 2008 General Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G.
Box 1. Date Canceled

Enter the date the debt was canceled. See When Is a Debt Canceled on page 3.
Box 2. Amount of Debt Canceled

Enter the amount of the canceled debt. See Debt Defined on page 3 and Exceptions on page 3. Do not include any amount the lender receives in satisfaction of the debt by means of a settlement agreement, foreclosure sale, etc.
Box 3. Interest if Included in Box 2

Enter any interest you included in the canceled debt in box 2. You are not required to report interest in box 2. But if you do, you also must report it in box 3.
Box 4. Reserved

Box 5. Debt Description

Enter a description of the origin of the debt, such as student loan, mortgage, or credit card expenditure. Be as specific as possible. If you are filing a combined Form 1099-C and 1099-A, include a description of the property.
Box 6. Check for Bankruptcy

Check the box if you are reporting a debt discharged in bankruptcy.
Box 7. Fair Market Value (FMV) of Property

If you are filing a combined Form 1099-C and 1099-A for a foreclosure, execution, or similar sale, enter the FMV of the property. Generally, the gross foreclosure bid price is considered to be the FMV. If an abandonment or voluntary conveyance to the lender in lieu of foreclosure occurred, enter the



short sales and 1099s

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Foreclosure still rising

Delinquencies and Foreclosures Increase in Latest MBA National Delinquency Survey
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 5, 2008) — The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties stood at 6.41 percent of all loans outstanding at the end of the second quarter of 2008, up six basis points from the first quarter of 2008, and up 129 basis points from one year ago on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey.

The delinquency rate includes loans that are at least one payment past due but does not include loans somewhere in the process of foreclosure. The percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the second quarter was 2.75 percent, an increase of 28 basis points from the first quarter of 2008 and 135 basis points from one year ago.