Ken Harney
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Banks to re-enter jumbo arena, which may stabilize pricesMar 19, 2009 11:00 pm - WASHINGTON - New money is about to flow into an area of the real estate market that has been hardest squeezed by the credit crisis: mortgages too large to be purchased o...
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Refinancing rules now include second homes, small rental propertiesMar 12, 2009 11:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have published the rules governing their upcoming mass refinancing campaigns, and they're more favorable - especially for owners ...
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Obama's plan eases way for many to refinance into lower rateFeb 26, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Though the final operational guidelines of the Obama administration's foreclosure-avoidance programs won't be released until Wednesday, March 4, key details...
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New tax credit for first-time homebuyers tops 2008 versionFeb 19, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Now that Congress has fixed the crucial flaw in last year's home-purchase tax credit, who will be able to make use of the new and improved version? And what...
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Major lenders step up add-on fees, lessening effect of stimulus effortsFeb 12, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - It's not what homebuyers, sellers and refinancers want to hear, but they need to know: Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are ratcheting up their mandatory fee...
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If passed, 'cramdowns' would get lenders, delinquent borrowers talkingFeb 05, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Proponents call it the crucial missing tool needed to get us out of the national foreclosure morass. Critics say it could be disastrous - pushing up interes...
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Builders take a hard look at incentives for buyers on the fenceJan 29, 2009 10:00 pm - LAS VEGAS - If you'd love to purchase a new house but you're sitting on the fence, what exactly would it take to get you to buy? Mortgage rates lower than today's 5 perc...
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Look for red flags to decide whether foreclosure 'rescue' is a scamJan 15, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - You've probably seen the incessant TV and Internet pitches - "we can stop your foreclosure!" - offering hope to millions of homeowners who are either behind...
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Appraisers sound alarm on part of new federal standardsJan 08, 2009 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - When you apply for a mortgage to buy or refinance a house, should you be concerned that your appraiser is being paid much less - maybe just half - of the $3...
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Now mortgage help can arrive before you fall months behindDec 18, 2008 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Here's some good news for homeowners facing tough financial times: You no longer have to miss two to three months of payments before your mortgage company c...