With the US bailing out Fannie and Freddie in 2008 to the tune of some $250 billion, adding to the $40 trillion+ net worth of the country, many would like to see these quasi government entities done away with all together.  But what consequences and repercussions would that have on the housing market, and the [...]

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In today’s world where you are able to purchase everything from all season radial tires to downloading your favorite groups latest mp3 album, we have grown accustomed to making purchases online without a moment’s thought. And over the last few years this practice of making online purchases has opened up more and more people to [...]

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With the fallout of the U.S. recession that began at the end of 2007, credit standards have tightened making it more difficult for many home buyers to secure a home loan.  In some cases, borrowers have the income to cover their note and cash for a sizable down payment, but are still unable to secure [...]

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Famous for its rich American history, sports and overall vitality, Boston is home to more than 30,000 civilian veterans. All of Massachusetts houses more than 425,000 veterans. Veterans who are considering purchasing a home in Massachusetts are entitled to the VA home loan program. In the Bay State, VA uses two income qualifications to deem [...]

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The FDIC plans to auction more than $1 billion in assets seized from failed banks next month and this may require write-downs that weaken lenders nationwide. Note that 140 banks failed last year, 26 thus far in 2010, and as of December 2009, over 700 banks are on the FDIC’s watch list. You do the [...]

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The Institute of Supply Management’s January index of non-manufacturing businesses climbed to 50.5, up from 49.8 in December – readings above 50 signal growth. Correspondingly, the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose to 58.4, which represented the 6th straight month for expansion.  The Consumer Confidence index increased to 55.9, up from 53.6 in December [...]

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New distressed debt numbers from the banking sector have recently been published, so it is time again to take a look at the 181 banks that make up our local lending landscape. There is a lot of talk about a very serious forthcoming correction in commercial real estate and the effects that this will have [...]

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While the recession enders cheer positive signs in the stock market hailing the return of the bulls, everyone else seems to be wondering where the jobs are, and real estate industry folks are pointing at the long shadow being cast by the coming wave of commercial real estate problems. While I don’t have any answers [...]

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