Could Housing Glut Become a Shortage?

The answer, based on what's happening in the hard-hit Phoenix market, is yes. Check out the BIASC Blog for the details.

Bill Clinton Gets It

The former President understands what needs to be done to get the economy on track. See what he had to say in the BIASC Blog.

Looming Housing Shortage?

Many housing experts agree that the lack of new-home construction in California during the past five years will lead to a housing shortage in the not-too-distant future. The latest expert to point that out is the Irvine Company's Dan Young. Read more in the BIASC blog.

Good Reasons to Buy New

The BIASC Blog today cites a Shea Homes piece outlining some of the reasons why it's better to buy a new home than one that's been foreclosed on or a short sale. Check it out.

Is the Mortgage Interest Spigot Opening Up?

As anyone who's tried to get a home mortgage loan knows, interest rates are at alltime lows but qualifying for a loan can be extremely difficult for people without almost-perfect credit scores as banks have really ratcheted up their lending standards in the past few years.

But the Wall Street Journal (sub. req'd) reports today that some lenders are actually rolling out incentives to win business.

The Journal says that the influx of cash into U.S. treasuries, coupled with a sharp decline in refinancing applications, is responsible for the trend.

Here in California, Union Bank was cited as a lender working hard to attract customers, especially for jumbo rate mortgages.

The article still cautions that "many would-be applicants remain sidelined because they can't meet the long list of qualifications." But any signs the mortgage market is starting to return to more normal levels is a good thing.