Waiting for QM, the MBA Weighs In; Who is the Largest Private Real Estate Holder?

Huh? AIG, the parent of United Guarantee, is thinking about suing the United States government over its bailout? Stranger than fiction - but true! Here is some chatter on the subject. (And see the "joke" below.) It could be a very big day for the mortgage industry - or at least any company that wants to originate loans that can be sold in the secondary market . The mortgage industry and Wall Street are prepping for the qualified mortgage rule ("QM") which could be released in its final form by the...

2012 On Pace to be Record Year for Housing Affordability

Even though home prices have been rising, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) said today that 2012 appears primed to set a record for housing affordability . With 11 months of data in, NAR's Housing Affordability Index was at 198.2 in November, down 2.5 index points from October but 1.5 points higher than in November 2011. When December data is compiled, NAR projects that the housing affordability index for 2012 will be a record high 194, up from 186 from 2011, the previous record year...

• Mortgage Rates Continue Steady Descent Back To Earth
• Mortgage Application Volume Bounces Bank from Holiday Lull
• MBS RECAP: Slight Volatility Around Auction, But Momentum Persists
• Real Estate Web Searches Climb 253% in Four Years as 90% of Homebuyers Use Internet as Primary Research
• New HUD Research Tool Offers a Wealth of Housing Data
• More on the Multi-billion Dollar Settlement; Thoughts on LO's W-2 vs. 1099

Micro News

Around the Web

• How Big is Wall Street's Housing Bet? Pretty Big
• Why the CFPB's new mortgage rules matters
• Why Jobless Numbers Means Low Rates for Years
• Get ready for Fiscal Cliff: Part 2
• SEC Charges Two KPMG Auditors for Failed Audit of Nebraska Bank Hiding Loan Losses During Financial Crisis
• AIG board meets on possible lawsuit vs. government as public rages

Video News

	HUD Secretary Donovan on U.S. Housing Market, AIG
	Santelli: Don't Use Stock Market As Economic Barometer!
	America's New Landlord

Today's Comments

	"Great information!"
	"Yes "Second liens, he said, are a bigger obstacle". This is true the second lien put fear in people's heart and mind. Especially for people..."
	"The only major issue that I find wrong with the HVCC system is the additional cost that it has burdened on borrowers. Although I would prefer a different..."

Today's Q&A