Douglas County News

07/29/2010 10:09 AM

Treasury Auctions Done. Bonds Cautiously Resilient as Stocks Repeat History

Posted To: MBS Commentary Treasury just sold $29 billion 7s to a group of uninterested buyers... Auction demand as measured by the bid to cover ratio was below average. 2.78 bids were submitted for every 1 accepted by Treasury. Compare that to the ten auction average of 2.81 and the five auction average of 2.86. 25.6% of the issue was awarded at the high yield of 2.394%. This was 2.1bps above the 1pm "when issued" bid, a sign that buyers were looking to pay a little less than they did. Primary dealers took down a much greater award than usual, which explains why the high yield tailed. 48.8% of the issue and 25.1% of what they bid on. Both metrics are above average. This is not indicative of strong buyside demand. Directs were awarded 8.9% of the competitive bid. That makes them 0 for 3 this week. Indirects...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/29/2010 09:31 AM

Fannie Mae Preps Investors for Reform. Book of Business Reflects Tight Credit Conditions

Posted To: MND NewsWire In the wake of the passage of Wall Street Reform, which many opponents have criticized Capitol Hill for failing to deal with the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Obama Administration is beginning to present the broad outlines of how the future of the GSEs will be determined. In a letter released Tuesday , David H. Stevens, acting commisioner of the FHA, said that the question of reforming the GSEs is "not if, but when." The Obama administration, he said, has made it clear from the beginning that the current structure of the government's role in the housing finance market is unsustainable and unacceptable, but winding down Freddie and Fannie abruptly would destabilize an already fragile housing industry and put the loans already on the books of these institutions at even...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/29/2010 09:06 AM

Are HECM Regulators Acting Unethically Toward the Reverse Mortgage Program?

Posted To: Community Commentary I recently spoke on two interesting panels at the American Conference Institute’s two day symposium on Reverse Mortgages. The conference was held at the famed Helmsley Park Lane Hotel in the heart of Manhattan. The conference attracted a virtual who’s who in the mortgage and reverse mortgage industry. The speakers and the attendees formed an eclectic group which ranged from major law firms, title companies, quality control experts, compliance examiners, HECM counseling experts and state and federal regulators and various enforcement agencies. There was a genuine desire to understand the program so that enacted policy could be effective. On the first day of speaking, I was joined by Dave Adkins, OTS, Matthew Yoon, Esq. and Arthur Axelson, Esq. I pointed out that HERA could prevent...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/29/2010 06:51 AM

Final Ruling Issued on SAFE Act; Underwriting Guideline Overlays, Adverse Market Fees and Steep LLPAs; CMBS Sales; California State of Emergency;

Posted To: Pipeline Press On a non-mortgage note, my son asked me, "At what age is it ok to tell a highway that it is adopted? At some point the highway will realize that it doesn't look like the Kiwanis's Club." I would have told him to "keep his day job", except he doesn't have one as he prepares for college. Lots of folks don't have jobs, as re-emphasized by this morning's Initial Jobless Claims number. One industry veteran told me, "The weekly number is just catnip for those who think the economy is limping along," and this morning's numbers came in down 11,000 to 457,000, but continuing claims climbed. Employment is still a huge issue for the economy, but the unemployment situation is certainly helping to keep rates low. We are not done with implementing the...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/29/2010 06:33 AM

Vacancy Rate Near Historic High. America Has a "Home Problem"

Posted To: MND NewsWire As we have pointed out over the last few weeks , America has a homelessness problem; over a million individuals and families are temporarily or chronically homeless. While the statistics don't fully address this aspect, there is at least anecdotal indication that some of these people are in shelters or on the street because their own home or one they were renting was foreclosed. There is also purely anecdotal information that a lot more homeowners are hanging on by their fingernails; savings and unemployment exhausted, legal remedies gone, as lenders churn through a backlog of pending foreclosures and subsequent evictions. In other words, the problem could well get worse. It is also clear that the country is deep into what we are going to abuse poetic license to call a "home problem...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/29/2010 05:30 AM

The Day Ahead: Moody's Questions U.S. Credit Rating. Bonds Shrug Off News

Posted To: MBS Commentary Equity futures are trading higher this morning despite word from Moody’s that it would have to question America’s triple-A credit rating unless it provides a credible plan to tackle its growing deficit. Steve Hess , a top sovereign debt analyst at Moody’s, said the U.S. appears to have “no plan” to reduce the deficit. “Can the United States do it is the big question right now and we are not sure either way,” he told Dow Jones Newswires. “We will wait and see what happens in the next couple of years on this front.” Meanwhile, economic confidence in Europe rose for a second straight month to its highest level in more than two years. The July index rose 1.3 points to 101.3. Economists at BMO said the populace may be “heartened by the...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 01:16 PM

Can Mortgage Rates Go Any Lower?

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch Well, here we are on "hump day" and mortgage rates are still detached from the price fluctuations of the secondary mortgage market. Instead, the ups and downs of consumer borrowing costs continue to be driven primarily by the capacity constraints of major lenders, the market makers for mortgage rates. One misconception is record low mortgage rates have drawn out a hoard of "fence sitting" borrowers who are bustling with excitement to refinance. Yes, media coverage of record low mortgage rates has attracted attention from some homeowners, but the crowds just don't compare to the mini-frenzy we witnessed in early 2009. This tells us the capacity constraints of major lenders are not totally due to an increase in loan applications. With the larger lenders allocating newly...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 12:33 PM

Is There Life After the Mortgage Business?

Posted To: The Garrett Watts Report We all know the mortgage business can be extremely profitable at times. We also know it can be disastrous at other times. Regulators and law makers have created an environment that makes us feel like a pin ball, bouncing aimlessly from one bumper to another Regardless of all these issues, most mortgage lending professionals stay in the business too long and never retire. I recently had the opportunity to talk to an “old timer”. He is in his mid-70s and still looking for an opportunity to manage/operate a company again. While his previous companies were well run and profitable, I was perplexed as to why he wished to do it all over again at the age of 75, especially in this environment. I had the opportunity to chat with a younger mortgage banker who had already sold a company, made...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 12:18 PM

FHA Ready to Reduce Seller Concessions. HUD Invites Industry Comment Before Implementation

Posted To: MND NewsWire HUD is preparing to implement a few new policies that will no doubt affect your pipeline/loan application process. Last week, HUD and the FHA invited public comment on three of those policy changes, which are part of FHA's strategy to "strengthen their capital reserves". The proposed changes which are either tweaks to other recent revisions or have been telegraphed by FHA and HUD in earlier Congressional testimony, notices to lenders, or press releases will: Update the combination of credit and down payment requirements for new borrowers Reduce allowable seller concessions from six to three percent. Tighten underwriting standards for manually underwritten loans FHA has been scrambling to strengthen its financial situation since an audit late in 2009 showed that the capital ratio...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 11:24 AM

Beige Book: Mixed Reads on Economy. Housing Market Definitely "Sluggish"

Posted To: MND NewsWire The Federal Reserve has released the Beige Book The Beige Book is a compilation of anecdotal information and data on current economic conditions across the country. The findings are NOT THE VIEWS OF FEDERAL RESERVE OFFICIALS ...instead, each Federal Reserve bank interviews key business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources in their specific district. This report is published eight times a year. They call it the Beige Book because its Beige . This edition was prepared at the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis and is based on information collected on or before July 19, 2010. Below is a summary of the findings and a few excerpts on bank lending and housing. I called attention to some of the more important observations. Economic activity has continued to increase, on balance, since...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 08:44 AM

MBS Prices Hit New Record High After 5-Year Note Auction

Posted To: MBS Commentary Mortgages are on a serious run... Front-month TBA levels set yet another new record high this morning and yield spreads continued to tighten vs. benchmarks (thx swaps!). While the street more than likely sees the current coupon in the +55/10s range, my weighting on the 4.0 has the current coupon closer to +68/10s. No matter how you slice it, mortgage valuations are rich, and everyone still wants to own agency MBS cash flows. READ WHY . It looked like we might see some directional movement yesterday, but that was a false alarm vols quickly deflated. After a few rounds of profit taking in the mid-morning hours, buyers quickly re-flooded the market, looking to take advantage of the slightest bit of weakness. In terms of origination flows, 4.50 coupons are still the most active 30yr paper. That...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 08:25 AM

Home Builder Rankings; Updates from HUD and Fannie Mae; Home Ownership Stats; FHA Sanctions;

Posted To: Pipeline Press Let me start off by saying that I do not believe the rumor that the International Olympic Committee has taken back skier Lindsey Vonn's gold medal, and instead awarded it to President Barack Obama, announcing that no one has ever gone downhill faster than he has. While we're talking about going downhill, here's one list on which you do not want to your name on.... The Federal Housing Administration's Mortgagee Review Board (MRB) announced dozens of administrative actions against FHA-approved lenders who failed to meet its requirements. This year alone, the MRB took nearly 1,500 administrative sanctions against lenders, including reprimands, probations, suspensions, withdrawals of approval, and civil money penalties. READ MORE On the positive side, the folks at HUD are presenting...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 06:25 AM

Refinance Demand Takes a Break While Purchase Apps Search for Bottom

Posted To: MND NewsWire The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending July 23, 2010. The MBA's loan application survey covers over 50% of all U.S. residential mortgage loan applications taken by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and thrifts. The data gives economists a snapshot view of consumer demand for mortgage loans. In a low mortgage rate environment, a trend of increasing refinance applications implies consumers are seeking out a lower monthly payment. If consumers are able to reduce their monthly mortgage payment and increase disposable income through refinancing, it can be a positive for the economy as a whole (creates more consumer spending or allows debtors to pay down personal liabilities like credit cards). A falling trend of purchase...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/28/2010 05:26 AM

The Day Ahead: Durable Goods, Beige Book, 5-Year Notes

Posted To: MBS Commentary Equity futures are flat this morning ahead of the durable goods report for June and the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, a summary of regional economies across the country. Ninety minutes before the opening bell, Dow futures are trading 1 point higher at 10,495 and S&P 500 futures are up 0.25 points to 1111.25. The 2-year Treasury note is UNCH at 99-31 yielding 0.645%. The benchmark 10-year note is +0-04 at 103-29 yielding 3.036%. The 2s/10s curve is 2bps flatter at 239bps. The September Delivery FNCL 4.0 is +0-03 at 101-15. The FNCL 4.5 is +0-03 at 103-25. The secondary market current coupon is 1.2bps lower at 3.747%. Yield spreads are wider to start the session. Key Events Today: 7:00 ― The just-released weekly Mortgage Applications Index , a measure of mortgage loan application volume...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 04:08 PM

Mortgage Rates Still Immune to Rising Benchmark Yields

Posted To: Mortgage Rate Watch A much better than expected read on New Home Sales helped the stock market post strong gains yesterday. Typically, when stocks advance, their gains come at the expense of interest rates. While benchmark Treasury yields have risen over the last week, mortgage-backed securities have managed to retain their “flight to safety” bid. MBS prices are holding steady near record highs and mortgage rates are holding steady near record lows. A "flight to safety" occurs when investors are nervous about owning risky assets like stocks but do not want to miss out on earning returns on their funds, so they move their money into risk-free U.S Treasury debt and agency MBS to provide a safe-haven AND an investment return. To remind readers, as benchmark Treasury yields fall, prices of mortgage...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 10:51 AM

Dealers Prop 2-Year Auction Demand. Assessing Lender Reprice Potential

Posted To: MBS Commentary The Treasury just auctioned $38 billion 2-year notes . This auction amount is $2 billion less than the previous auction, $4 billion less than the May auction, and $6 billion less than the record $44 billion auction in April. The bid to cover ratio, a measure of auction demand, was 3.33 bids submitted for every one accepted by Treasury. This is above average but lower than the 2-year note auction in June. 88% of the issue was taken down at a high yield of 0.665%. While this is a new record low for the "high yield" at a 2-year note auction, it was still almost 1 basis point higher than the 1pm "When Issued" yield. Indicating buyside demand was lacking. Both direct and indirect bidders were awarded below average takedown percentages. Directs took 13.5% of the issue, below both...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 10:47 AM

FHA Penalizes Over 1,000 Lenders for Violating Regulatory Standards

Posted To: MND NewsWire The Federal Housing Administration's Mortgagee Review Board (MRB) has revealed a list of over one thousand lenders against whom it has taken action over the last several months for violations of the agency's program requirements. Infractions ranged from failing to notify the Department of Housing and Urban Development of changes in license status or office closures, improperly displaying FHA seals on company websites or advertising materials, and using non-employees to process loans, to failing to properly process or document credit, employment and appraisal information. The actions taken by the Board included permanent withdrawal of FHA lending authority, suspensions, and fines ranging into the high six digits. "Lenders should know by now that FHA will not tolerate fraudulent...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 10:31 AM

Buyback Risk Locks Some Borrowers Out of Refi Market; Jawboning on Fannie and Freddie; Anecdotes from the Trenches;

Posted To: Pipeline Press One patient came in and said, "Doctor, I have a serious memory problem." The doctor asked, "When did it start?" The man replied, "When did what start?" That line is short and to the point. Generally speaking, markets like news when it is short and to the point - borrowers are different than traders, who are different than investors, who are different than analysts, who are different than economists. So when the Fed Chairman uses the double adjective "unusually uncertain" to describe the economic outlook, one's opinion, and how one reacts to that quote from last week's testimony, will be different. There is no question that rates are great, and much better than many had forecast for this time of year. But if the Federal Reserve doesn't know...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 07:26 AM

Housing Finance Reform Now in Focus for Obama Administration

Posted To: MND NewsWire Much to the surprise of many pundits, the recently signed Financial Reform Bill did not outline guidelines for regulators to begin crafting the future of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae. Although this was viewed as an oversight by most, it was the right move because it will allow our political and financial leadership to focus on FIXING THE BROKEN HOUSING FINANCE SYSTEM In April, Treasury outlined their "Housing Finance Reform" objectives . The administration's proposals will be designed to achieve four objectives. Mortgage credit should be available and distributed on an efficient basis to a wide range of borrowers. A well-functioning housing market should provide affordable housing options, both ownership and rental, for low and moderate-income households. Consumers...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

07/27/2010 06:07 AM

Data Flash: S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index +0.5% in May

Posted To: MND NewsWire Standard and Poor's has released the Case-Shiller Home Price Index .... 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US MAY HOME PRICES IN 20 METRO AREAS RISE 0.5 PCT SEASONALLY ADJ (CONSENSUS 0.2 PCT) VS 0.6 PCT IN APRIL - S&P/CASE-SHILLER 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US MAY 20-METRO AREA HOME PRICES RISE 1.3 PCT (CONSENSUS 0.3 PCT) VS 0.9 PCT IN APRIL - S&P/CASE-SHILLER 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US MAY 20-METRO AREA HOME PRICES RISE 4.6 PCT (CONSENSUS 4.0 PCT) FROM YEAR AGO - CASE-SHILLER 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US MAY HOME PRICES IN 10 METRO AREAS UP 0.5 PCT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED VS APRIL - CASE-SHILLER 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US HOME PRICES IN 10 METRO AREAS RISE 1.2 PCT IN MAY VS 0.7 PCT IN APRIL - S&P/CASE-SHILLER 09:00 27Jul10 RTRS -US MAY HOME PRICES IN 10 METROPOLITAN AREAS UP 5.4 PCT FROM YEAR AGO - S&P/CASE-SHILLER...(read more) Forward this article via email:  Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

Douglas County Facts

• Douglas County is the state of Colorado’s eighth most populous of its 64 counties.
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• Douglas County is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities, Denver and Colorado Springs.
• For many years Douglas County was best known for its wide open spaces and western lifestyle ranchettes.
• Douglas County was one of the original 17 counties created in the Colorado Territory on November 1, 1861.
• Douglas County named in honor of Stephen A. Douglas, who died the year the county was created.
• Homes in Douglas County are generally horse properties located in rural areas with mountain views and often with ponderosa pine trees and scrub oak naturally landscaping the properties.
• As of the 2000 census, Douglas County had 175,766 people and 60,924 households.
• Douglas County’s boundaries originally extended eastward to the state border, but in 1874 most of the eastern portion of the county became part of Elbert County.
• The more rural-feeling communities of Douglas County are less than 30 minutes from the Denver Technology Center and less than 50 minutes from the Denver International Airport.
• The Douglas County School District is the third-largest school district in Colorado.
• Douglas County includes six charter schools and four option schools in addition to traditional public schools.
• The suburban communities of Douglas County offer brand new and newer homes for a lesser price than communities located closer to Denver.
• Douglas County was one of the fastest growing counties in the United States according to the 2000 census.
• Douglas County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area.
• Real estate in more upscale areas of Douglas County can can range from $200,000 to $1,000,000.

Douglas County Cities and Towns:

Aurora, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker

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