| Where's my $8K tax credit?
Perhaps best to claim credit on 2009 return; if homebuyers amend
an '08 return, they could wait up to four months.
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more.
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| State responds to growth management
lawsuit
Attorney General defends SB 360, which eases transportation
requirements, against a claim that it tries to do too much.
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more.
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| Gov. signs bill expanding passenger
rail
Rail lines could redefine neighborhoods by boosting prices and
increasing demand for those served by the new train.
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more.
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| Foreclosure interest wanes as
defaults rise
In May, 55% of adults expressed an interest in buying a
foreclosed home; in a similar Nov. survey, that group dropped to
43%.
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more.
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| Are fixed-rate mortgages the best
loan?
A think tank is questioning whether FRMs are really best for
buyers, noting that most countries offer only ARMs.
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more.
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| Homebuyers are downsizing
Smaller new homes are a bright spot for some builders, driven by
the $8K tax credit and an onslaught of first-time buyers.
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more.
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| HUD updates advice to borrowers
HUD revised its RESPA page with info about the new Good Faith
Estimate and HUD-1 that become effective Jan. 1.
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more.
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| Standoff ends: State Farm to remain
in Fla.
Fla. officials say the insurer will stay, no more than 125K
policies will be dropped, and rates will rise no more than
14.8%.
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more.
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| Nov. housing construction up 8.9%
New home starts rebounded in Nov. 2009 after a setback in Oct.
Building permit applications rose by 6%.
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more.
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| Developers rush to get ahead of
Amendment 4
A move to amend the constitution has local governments submitting
a crush of land-use change requests before the ballot.
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more.
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| Fed to strike upbeat note on
economy
At today's meeting, Fed should keep interest rates steady, say
the economy is rebounding, yet note that risks remain.
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more.
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| HUD proposes nationwide loan
originator rule
A 2008 Act mandates minimum standards and HUD enforcement if a
state's mortgage industry oversight falls short.
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more.
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| Obama urges banks to get lending
He vows to "recover every last dime" of funds; some
lenders pay loans back, earning interest for taxpayers on
"investment."
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more.
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| Buyers need good credit even with
20% down
Five years ago, banks loved 20% downpayment loans; starting this
week, credit scores must also be at least 620.
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more.
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| City: Force lenders to pay for
foreclosures
In a lawsuit, Baltimore tells court that toxic lenders illegally
targeted black neighborhoods, costing millions in services.
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more.
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| Depression era agency backs
mortgage money
Ginnie Mae now offers U.S.-guaranteed mortgage securities for 20%
of all loans, compared to only 4% a few years ago.
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more.
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| Population shifts could boost
census
While Fla. lost residents this year, a decades-long buildup could
give it one or two more U.S. representatives after 2010
census.
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more.
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| Real estate agents confident about
2010
Survey: Three in four expect a strong start for the first six
months, despite worry about tight credit and rising inventory.
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more.
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