Most large banks have stopped tightening standards on a number of loan types, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve. But the central bank's latest loan officer survey says that while it may not be getting tougher for consumers to borrow, it's not getting any easier yet either because financial institutions have yet to unwind the considerable contraction that has built up over the past two years. Still, the pause in the stiffening might be seen as a hopeful sign for a financing world that's been strained since 2007.
Following a market swing driven by response to the homebuyer tax credit, pending home sales in December have leveled off, according to a report Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In November, the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed during the month, dropped 16.4 percent after surging in preceding months before expiration of the original tax credit. After the credit was extended, the PHSI gained 1 percent in December, and NAR says it's a sign of stabilization.
Contrary to popular belief, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) says financing for new commercial and multifamily mortgages is on the rise. According to a quarterly survey released by MBA Tuesday at its Commercial Real Estate Finance convention in Las Vegas, commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 12 percent higher in the fourth quarter of 2009 than during the same period last year, and 15 percent higher than the third quarter of 2009.
The California State Department of Real Estate (DRE) says it revoked a record number of real estate licenses in 2009, and accepted another record number of license surrenders from real estate professionals facing disciplinary action. All told, over 775 licensees in the state had their license revoked or simply surrendered their license while facing accusations last year.
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