Tag Archives: Homeownership

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Acting Commissioner Biniam Gebre reaffirmed his organization's commitment to America's middle class as well as the role of the Administration and defended the FHA's recent lowering of the mortgage insurance premiums in statement released Thursday. Gebre's statement provides a preview of his upcoming appearance at the Five Star Government Forum on March 18 in Washington, D.C., where he will sit down for a one-on-one interview with Five Star Institute President and CEO Ed Delgado to discuss FHA's recent housing policy changes and the future of the organization.

With a little help from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), American consumers can overcome the single biggest obstacle to homeownership – saving for a down payment – and increase their savings to a level that will allow them to finally own a home.

Zillow announced Friday that it expects to close the acquisition of Trulia by February 17, following the announcement of the conclusion of a Federal Trade Commission investigation. Zillow first announced its intention to acquire Trulia in July 2014 for $3.5 billion.

Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Julián Castro told the audience at the National Press Club Tuesday afternoon that it was time for the nation to "remove the stigma" promoting homeownership. During his hour-long speech at the Press Club in Washington, D.C., which included a question and answer session, Castro spoke of the economic progress the nation made in 2014, such as experiencing the fastest job growth rate in 15 years, and he addressed HUD's initiatives which are aimed at promoting, increasing, and expanding opportunities for Americans to own a home.

The housing market will continue its gradual recovery and gain momentum in 2015 after a disappointing 2014, according to the Wells Fargo Economics Group 2015 Economic Outlook entitled "A Whole New Ballgame," released earlier this week.

Following months of talk and speculation, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced on Monday they will begin allowing qualifying first-time borrowers to purchase homes with just a 3 percent down payment.

The year 2015 is gearing up to be a stronger, more expensive housing market powered for the first time by new millennial buyers, according to the Realtor.com 2015 Housing Forecast.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Wednesday that it is awarding $10 million in grants to four non-profit organizations that will create homes for hundreds of families.

A recent survey commissioned by NeighborWorks America, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit community development corporation, revealed that nearly one out of four Americans knows someone who has delayed buying a home because of student loan debt.

The steep decline in the number of marriages in the U.S. among the population aged 25 to 29 has been a key factor in the slow recovery of the housing market, according to a report from John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC).