Tag Archives: Attorneys & Title Companies

The housing recovery is strengthening and turning onto a sustainable path, Barclays said in a report Wednesday. According to the firm's U.S. Housing report, single-family housing starts are expected to trend upward, matching the strength of multi-family starts that has driven the housing recovery over the past year. Barclays also anticipates that home price indices will close out the year strong, suggesting a broadening and lasting recovery. The rising supply and steady sales pace of single-family starts apparently encouraged homebuilders.

In California, BluFi Lending is continuing its expansion. The direct home loan lender recently announced the opening of a new branch in Walnut Creek, which represents BluFi's third office in the state. The latest location will be led by manager Mario Vargas, who will head up a team of mortgage bankers, processors, and back office staff to service the company├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós clients in the region.

Taylor Capital Group, Inc., is set to capitalize on the nation's construction industry. The company recently announced that its subsidiary Cole Taylor Bank has launched a new equipment financing division for the commercial sector.

The U.S. economy continued to expand at a modest to moderate pace in June and early July the Federal Reserve said Wednesday in its periodic Beige Book. The national summary, based on reports from each of the 12 Federal Reserve districts, noted "modest growth" in the Atlanta, St. Louis, and San Francisco districts, while the Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Dallas districts said economic activity was "advancing moderately." All district housing market reports, the Beige Book said, were "largely positive."

A new study from Lake Research Partners is revealing the popular perspective on the controversial Dodd Frank Act. The poll, which was commissioned by AARP, the Center for Responsible Lending, Americans for Financial Reform, and the National Council of La Raza, showed that voters are generally in favor of the legislation.

Another former reality star and current pop star is joining the real estate fray. Just days after X Factor champion Leona Lewis listed her home in Los Angeles, Kelly Clarkson, who won the U.S. version of the competition, American Idol, has put her ranch in Mansfield, Texas, on the market for $1.495 million.

The median price of an existing single-family home rose in June to the highest level since 2008, marking a fifth straight month-over-month gain, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday. The trade group found the median price up 7.9 percent from June 2011. Existing-home sales dropped to 4.37 million in June, reaching the lowest level since last October, according to the group. It was the fourth drop in the last five months. Economists had expected the sales pace to increase to 4.65 million from 4.62 million in May.

Calling the property one of "America's original 'green' houses," Curbed is reporting that a home in California's Sea Ranch development has hit the market for $1.2 million. The listed estate is part of a concept that was conceived by Al Boeke in 1963, when he tapped a notable roster of architects to participate in building Sea Ranch as the nation's first green housing project.

SourceLink has launched a new platform for lenders seeking strong refinancing prospects. The company recently debuted its MORE program, which SourceLink describes as an innovative campaign solution that gives lenders the ability to reach prime mortgage refinance prospects by utilizing direct mail and personalized campaign microsites.

Lake Research Partners released the results of an opinion poll showing that financial reforms enacted in recent years remain popular with potential voters. In light of events leading to 2008's financial meltdown, potential voters seem to overwhelmingly favor financial reform laws designed to prevent abuse. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of respondents favor the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, while only 20 percent expressed disagreement. The support for Dodd-Frank crosses party lines.